Eyeing a Cashmere jacket or that gorgeous Cashmere shawl? Before you buy a product made from Cashmere, you should know the true value and beauty of this luxurious wool. It is a natural fabric that people have been using for more than a hundred years now. There are Cashmere sweaters, dresses, shawls, jackets, and a lot more. Cashmere is one of the most luxurious and soft wools available. It has fine, silky, and strong fibers that are very expensive if it is 100% pure Cashmere.
The process to obtain Cashmere is tedious and involves separating fibers manually from the molted coats of Kashmir goats. There are many Cashmere products available today like Cashmere shawls, Cashmere socks, Cashmere jackets, even Cashmere throws for the couch. Earlier Cashmere was used to keep people warm as it is one of the warmest wools. As people learned how to make other items out of it, there was no looking back. Wearing Cashmere has become more of a status symbol over anything else today, due to its high price.
What exactly is Cashmere?
Cashmere is natural wool that comes from Kashmir and Pashmina goats. Cashmere comes from the word Kashmir. It is also the older spelling for Kashmir. Kashmir is a part of Northern India where Cashmere is still produced.
Cashmere is made of natural fibers that almost feel like silk, they are fine yet strong. It was used in clothing because of the insulating properties it has that can keep you warm in extremely cold weather. It is warmer than sheep’s wool if compared and similar to mohair that comes from angora goats. Oftentimes, to give it more weight and body, Cashmere wool is blended with other wool as Cashmere fibers are extremely thin and fine.
Cashmere is usually shorn from the goat’s underside or the goat’s neck area. The best Cashmere grows in the winter months as the natural job of Cashmere is to keep the goats warm during chilly winters. There are types of Cashmere, one is the overcoat and the other is teh undercoat. The overcoat is a little rough but the undercoat is the softest wool you will ever see. Pure Cashmere comes from this undercoat.
Cashmere goats are found in large populations in Iran, Mongolia, and China but also in other areas of the world. The temperature in these areas varies drastically which is why teh wool produced here is of top quality.
Process of making Cashmere
The process of making Cashmere wool is long and takes a lot of time, that is why it is so expensive as compared to other wools. The production and manufacturing of Cashmere is a costly affair.
Goats naturally shed their coats after winter is over and it is the molting season. The wool has to be gathered. It can be either done by combing or shearing the coat. Combing the hair gives finer fibers instead of shearing as shearing gives the outer coarser fibers. This requires more separation of fibers.
Most of the Cashmere comes from the combing process which gives high-quality Cashmere. Whereas, shearing gives a lower-quality Cashmere.
After gathering the wool, the process of separation of fibers begins where the softer fibers are separated from the courses overcoat fibers. This will produce top-quality Cashmere. After this process, they are put into bales and spun into yarns. This yarn may be later dyed, knit, or made into a fabric.
Uses of Cashmere
As mentioned earlier, Cashmere is turned into various gorgeous products like clothing, accessories, and home decor. Cashmere shawls, sweaters, socks, gloves, scarves, dresses are the most popular products made from Cashmere. These products add a touch of luxury to a regular wardrobe.
Cashmere blankets, throws, and rugs are also quite popular but also quite expensive. Cashmere is a luxury product that many own only for this reason.
Cost of Cashmere
The cost of Cashmere can vary widely today thanks to the various qualities and the illegal sale of Cashmere. The price of traditionally produced 100% pure Cashmere products can start from $2,400 and upwards. But, there are also many cheaper varieties available because of the changing trends in fashion and the emergence of fast fashion.
The major exporter of Cashmere is China, where there are many low-quality and cheap suppliers of Cashmere as well that are dominating the market.
Cashmere Care Guide
If you already own a beautiful Cashmere item, you know how delicate Cashmere is and needs utmost care while handling and storing it. A lot of people don’t know how to take care of Cashmere and have a lot of questions regarding it. This is one reason why people avoid investing in Cashmere. Cashmere demands to be taken care of and with high regard.
Here are some things you can do for the upkeep of Cashmere products.
There are special gentle soaps specially made for Cashmere, make sure you use them to look after your favorite Cashmere products. Washing it at home? Fret not, you can absolutely wash it at home by hand or with cold water on a delicate cycle.
If you are washing it at home, remember to soak it in cold water and squeeze out the water instead of wringing it. With Cashmere, there is no option of wringing it. Wringing Cashmere stretches it out and ruins the shape of the product. Lay it out flat on a surface instead of hanging it to dry. Never dry Cashmere by hanging it.
Always clean your Cashmere wear before storing it away for the next winter season.
Conclusion
Cashmere makes for the most luxurious wool that you will keep close to your heart for the rest of your life. Cashmere is warmer than other wool, wearing Cashmere feels like the warmest hug you ever received. One of the softest and finest wool is Cashmere wool, you should own at least one Cashmere product to really know how lovely it is. It adds a touch of luxury and pizzazz to your wardrobe. Once you know Cashmere there is no going back.
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