Cashmere: History and Uses of the Yarn

The history of cashmere

The breeding of cashmere goats in Mongolia and the Kashmir region predates documented history. References to this fabric date back to the 3rd century BCE, and there are indications that cashmere wool production goes back much further than that.

Trade with Turkestan brought cashmere wool to the Middle East, and from there, ancestral trade routes carried this incredibly soft fabric to the courts of Europe and beyond. Cashmere wool became particularly popular in France, and merchants braved dangerous trade routes to bring this legendary material back to the thriving European market.

By the 19th century, cashmere wool production was a major industry throughout Europe, and the trade of this wool product provided economic benefits in multiple geographical regions. Even today, traditional goat herders in Central Asia benefit from cashmere trade, and interest in this ultra-soft textile fiber remains high worldwide.

How is cashmere produced?

Cashmere is one of the most expensive forms of wool because the production and processing process is complicated.

1. First, goats naturally shed their coats in spring during the molting season, and the wool must be collected. The wool can be collected by combing the goats' coats with a comb, which usually produces less coarse hair; or the wool can be shorn, but this results in much more of the coarse outer coat and requires more de-hairing later.
2. Most cashmere is obtained by combing, as this results in high-quality cashmere. Cashmere wool that has been shorn is often lower quality cashmere because it is more prone to pilling, as the fibers are much shorter than if they were combed.
3. After the wool has been collected, the coarse outer coat hairs must be separated from the fine, soft undercoat hairs, which eventually become the cashmere.
4. Once the fibers are separated, they are assembled into bales spun into yarn, which is then dyed and knitted or woven into fabric.

Uses of cashmere

Cashmere is incredibly soft and prized for its insulating properties, so it has found widespread use in the production of cold-weather clothing and accessories.

1. Clothing: Cashmere wool can be woven and knitted into a variety of cashmere garments. Cashmere sweaters, from cashmere cardigans or pullovers to crewneck or V-neck sweaters, are very popular items, but cashmere can also be woven into coats, pants, and other items.
2. Accessories: Cashmere accessories, such as cashmere hats, socks, and scarves, are very popular cashmere items, as they are warm and add beautiful touches of luxury to any outfit.
3. Home goods: Cashmere blankets are warm, soft, and make great throws on a couch or bed.

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