History and Information
History and Information
Cashmere wool, generally known as cashmere, is a fibre obtained from Cashmere and Hircus goats (also know as Pasmina Goats) along with other breeds. The textiles and clothing industry has used the yarn for hundreds of years and is closely associated with the Kashmir Shawl. Common usage defines the fiber as wool, but it is finer, stronger, lighter, softer and approximately three times more insulating than sheep wool.
Both the soft undercoat and the guard hairs may be used; the softer hair is reserved for textiles, while the coarse guard hair is used for brushes and other non-apparel purposes, with the locals making grain bags, ropes, blankets, and tent curtains
The Hircus goats live at about 4000 meters. The higher the goat lives the better the quality of cashmere is produced.
The fine fibres for producing the cashmere yarn is taken from the fine undercoats.
Fabric made of cashmere is warm and comfortable to the wearer, and it has excellent draping qualities and soft texture. The fibre, which absorbs and retains moisture keeps you warm in all weather conditions. This is a luxury fibre and a costly one due to the gathering and processing required and the is only some much fibre produced from one goat.
China, Mongolia, and Iran are the major producers of Cashmere. It is also produced on the Indian subcontinent and in Afganistan and Turkey.
The leading consumers of Cashmere is the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan.