CASHMERE KNOWLEDGE

Approximately 8,000 tons of cashmere are produced worldwide each year. Cashmere comes from the cashmere goat, which is mainly found in the high mountains of China and Inner Mongolia. In spring, these goats are not shorn; instead, only the fine undercoat is gently brushed off. The collected material, which still contains coarse outer hairs, then undergoes a labor-intensive process to separate the soft, valuable fibers. For a single sweater, the undercoat from up to five goats is required.

Cashmere goats pull grass out by the roots along with soil when feeding, which leads to significant soil erosion in affected areas. Both China and Mongolia are suffering from this erosion problem, and as a result, breeding of these animals is being reduced. Developing cashmere goat breeding in other regions of the world is nearly impossible due to the specific weather conditions required for producing thick, pure, and premium-quality cashmere. The fur of the cashmere goat becomes exceptionally warm as an adaptation to the persistent cold of its native environment.

Pilling generally occurs when shorter cashmere fibers are used. The longer the fibers, the more durable and resistant the yarn becomes, as longer fibers can be spun more tightly and evenly. Renowned spinning mills in Italy possess the expertise to process even shorter fibers with exceptional skill. Any pilling that does occur can be easily removed through regular, expert washing.

For best results, wash your cashmere using the wool program on your washing machine along with a suitable detergent. Hand washing is also recommended—just be sure not to wring the garment. When drying, lay it flat to maintain its shape.