What is cashmere?

Sometimes maybe you wonder what is cashmere. and Where does it come from? So let’s find out. First of all, it is 100% pure natural fiber. Kashmir is an area in Northern India that still produces cashmere, the word “Cashmere” is derived from this region. This natural fabric recognized for being incredibly soft and having insulating qualities is cashmere. The texture of cashmere fibers is extremely soft and delicate, nearly like silk. Compared to sheep’s wool, cashmere is much warmer and lighter, and it is very same to mohair, which is derived from angora goats. Since cashmere fibers are so thin and delicate, it is frequently combined with other types of wool, such as merino, to give them more weight.

Where does cashmere come from?

Almost all of the cashmere is sourced from the steppes of Central and East Asia, where the cool, dry climate is conducive to quality cashmere. Mongolia and China are the main suppliers of 85 percent of the world’s cashew nuts, while Iran, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Turkey supply the rest.

The cashmere production methods of the two main countries in this industry are very different. We call Mongolian cashmere “pasture cashmere”. Mongolian herdsmen are semi-nomadic and move up and down through their pastures every season, their animals are communally owned, and they graze on their own in open pastures. Mongolian cashmere has an average length of 36-44 mm with a diameter of 15-17 microns, and with this parameter, Mongolian cashmere is highly valued in the world cashmere market.

Chinese herders are no longer nomads, and the land is privately owned and surrounded by fences, so it is called “farm cashmere”. In the case of a farm, the area is not enough for goats to graze all year round, so when the pastures are scarce or they are brought indoors in winter. In Mongolia, cashmere is harvested by hand using a comb, while in China it is common to shear it with electric scissors.

What is cashmere grade?

The quality of cashmere is determined by its color, length, grain, and diameter (microns). Cashmere’s warmth, softness, and durability make it one of the world’s most sought-after textile raw materials. According to the length and fineness of the fibers, cashmere is divided into three grades: A, B, and C. With a thickness of 14–15.5 microns, Grade A cashmere is the highest grade obtainable for the fiber. Grade B cashmere, which is about 19 microns thick and slightly less expensive,  lovely, and deluxe yarn. Many people view Grade C cashmere, which has a thickness of about 30 microns, as not to be pure cashmere.

How is cashmere fabric made?

There are several stages to go through for the final cashmere fabric product. It is divided into three separate stages:

First:

At the beginning of spring, during the cashmere season, herders comb their goats to get raw cashmere. Mainly, cashmere traders and traders buy raw cashmere from herders and sell it to cashmere processors such as big factories. On average, 200 grams of cashmere are combed from one goat, and 5-7 combed cashmere from goats are used for one shirt.

Second:

Then the cashmere is sorted by color and quality and washed to remove dust and dirt. Then the cashmere fibers are separated from the hairs.

Third:

The pure cashmere that is thus separated is sent from the spun yarn to the final cashmere products, garments, and to consumers around the world. Combed cashmere goes through many stages in the factory and only 30% is sifted to become the luxury goods we love to wear and wear.

Cashmere classification:

By processing level:

  • Washed
  • Combed
  • Stripped

By color:

  • White
  • Warm Grey
  • Brown
  • Beige

How to know cashmere quality?

Feeling

Although cashmere is delicate, sometimes astonishingly soft, there is such a thing as excessively soft if a maker producer is attempting to conceal a coarse blend in a yarn whose wool wasn’t completely de-haired before production. Some producers would add conditioners to the yarn to make it seem smooth. Instead of gliding smoothly across the hand, the kind of soft you want should feel fluffy.

Thickness

Some producers will advertise genuine cashmere at a low price before creating a thin, loosely woven item to reduce costs. A cashmere cardigan shouldn’t be so thin that it might as well be sheer, and the thinner they are, the more likely they are to wear out after just a little bit of use.

Check origin

Even though the origin isn’t always a reliable indicator of quality, it can be a significant factor when combined with other indicators. Even when constructed with ethically sourced cashmere wool, mass-produced clothing from Mongolia and China can have a wide range of quality. Mongolian and Chinese manufacturers, however, have access to some of the best cashmere wool at lower costs than manufacturers in other areas of the world because Mongolia and China are the world’s largest producers of raw cashmere. Buying from merchants you know are getting their goods ethically and with an eye for quality is your best chance.

What Is Cashmere Used For?

1. Garments

Numerous cashmere clothing can be made from cashmere wool by weaving and knitting. Cashmere can be woven into coats, slacks, and other products in addition to cashmere sweaters, which range from crewneck or v-neck sweaters to cashmere cardigans or pullovers.

2. Accessories

Because they are warm and offer wonderful, high-end accents to any outfit, cashmere accessories like shawls, gloves, stockings, and scarves are quite popular.

3. Home products

Expensive cashmere blankets or pillow covers, couches, chairs, and beds are well known.

I hope that my article gave you plenty of knowledge about cashmere’s origin and what is used for. Here you can read more about what cashmere makes so special.

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