Cashmere is the most luxurious wool that you can find in this world. They are high in quality, luxurious, warm, and soft, and are expensive. You can see the specific section of society using cashmere as shawls, scarves, jackets, etc. Cashmere blankets are also very popular and since this product is long-lasting if you invest in the best cashmere blanket it will last you a lifetime. Due to its softness, lightness, and insulation qualities, cashmere is a luxurious fiber that is frequently used to make clothes and blankets.
Let us see where the cashmere comes from.
The fine hair known as cashmere comes from cashmere goats. The extreme temperature, where winters can reach -40 degrees, forced the cashmere goats to adapt to the climate by producing a double fleece, which is where the majority of cashmere originates from. There is an undercoat consisting of extremely fine hairs with powerful insulating capabilities, as well as an outer guard layer that shields the undercoat from water. Cashmere is made from this layer. There are different types of cashmere goats. Due to the harsher winters that result in the longest, thinnest, and softest cashmere, Inner Mongolia is widely regarded as the best source of material.
How to determine the quality of the Cashmere?
- Cashmere’s fineness, length, and color are the main determinants of quality.
- The length and smoothness of the fibers play the biggest role in the quality of cashmere. Compared to things created with shorter hair, those made with long, delicate fibers wrinkle less and hold their shape better. The feel of cashmere increases with its fiber fineness.
- Cashmere’s quality is also influenced by color; naturally white hair is preferred since it can be dyed more easily than other hues. A softer outcome results from less processing.
There are certain ways in finding out if the cashmere is good in quality. Let us see the ways:
- The Test of Touch
When worn against the skin, cashmere should feel smooth and not itchy. Cashmere of higher grade feels plush to the touch, but not excessively so; over time, it softens. Some businesses treat the cashmere with softeners and chemical additions to make it softer, or they over-wash it. Beware of cashmere that feels unbelievably smooth because doing so shortens the lifespan of the clothing made of it.
- The test of Stretch
Check to determine if a piece of cashmere can be gently stretched out and returned to its original shape. Cashmere of higher grade will return to shape, but cashmere of poorer quality will not. Additionally, open it up and extend it. The cashmere is of higher quality, will hold its shape better, and is less likely to develop holes if the knit is tighter.
- The Pilling Test
Try touching the cashmere item with your hand. If little balls begin to develop, the cashmere utilized is of inferior grade and likely has an overabundance of shorter hairs. When rubbed over time, all cashmere will pill, but if it does so right away, the cashmere is of lower quality.
- The Looking Test
Look across the surface of the cashmere item while holding it at eye level. A modest amount of fluffiness, 1-2mm, suggests longer hairs were used, reducing the likelihood of pilling. If it’s fluffier than that, shorter hairs were used, which can make something softer but also cause it to pill more and wear out more quickly.
100 percent pure cashmere vs blended
Pure cashmere is exquisite. It has a plush feel and provides excellent insulation, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the spring. After being worn and washed a few times, cashmere gets softer with age, and rarely pills. It doesn’t wrinkle, is lightweight, and is breathable. Cashmere ought to have a long lifespan.
Cashmere will be included in a blend of wool, silk, or synthetic fibers. These less expensive fibers drive down costs. Additionally, lesser-quality cashmere with shorter, thicker cashmere strands is frequently included in blends. When you purchase a blend, you are sacrificing money for the qualities that make cashmere so desirable—its softness, lightness, and insulating qualities.
Since cashmere is up to 8 times warmer than sheep’s wool while being noticeably lighter, you should only purchase 100% cashmere goods if you want to enjoy the full benefits of this material.
Read the label to see if it says “100% cashmere,” as required by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, to determine if the item is made entirely of cashmere. If it’s a blend, the label must, by law, list the percentages of the yarn used, such as 20% cashmere and 80% merino wool.
As you can see in the market both 100% pure cashmere and blended both are available you must see the labels and buy. There are some places like Angela Jey that sell 100% pure cashmere products and you can always trust a reputed brand that has been in the business for quite some time.
