Cashmere is a form of wool that keeps sheet and people warm and
comfortable in the cold, harsh weather of the winter in four season
climates. There are solid scientific reasons why cashmere delivers
such comfort in cold climates and how it delivers the look and warmth
for which it is famous.
Where
Does Cashmere Come From?
Cashmere is a
softer form of wool, which is legendary for keeping both sheep and
people warm. Wool keeps you warm because it is composed of a
scientifically sophisticated organized web of fibers on a sheep’s
back. Sheep are sheared during spring months after their wool has
grown in thickness over the cold winter months.
The average
weight of a sheep’s fleece is around 3.7 kilograms; but, some
larger sheep can have up to 13.6 kilograms. Even when a sheep’s
wool gets wet from heavy rain, the sheep stays warm and comfy thanks
to this amazing fiber.
Why
Does Cashmere Keep Sheep, Goats, and Humans Warm?
Wool from a
sheep’s or goat’s underbelly or chin and neck is the prime
ingredient in cashmere. The highest quality cashmere contains the
longest and finest hair closest to the skin of the animal. Genuine
cashmere includes fibers, the diameter of each must be less than 19
microns.
The finest
cashmere products are made from even smaller diameter fibers, around
14 microns, which is ultra-thin by any measurement standard.
According to the Los Angeles Times, genuine cashmere is eight
times warmer than sheep’s wool. It is also much lighter than wool,
because of the thinness of the fibers used.
Genuine cashmere
come from the Capra-Hircus goat, which lives in the Himalayan
Mountains and Mongolia. It is cold much of the year in these locales.
Quality sellers, such as MyPashmina.co.uk, regularly test the
quality of the cashmere they offer customers. In MyPashmina’s case,
we test our products every few months for quality consistency.
Since these goats
have two layers of wool, if you were to “pet” a Capra-Hircus goat
you would feel the rough wool on its outside. But, if you examined it
further (assuming the goat would let you do so), you would be
impressed with the softness of its wool closest to its skin, which
keeps the goat warm and cozy in the coldest of weather. This is the
wool that we use for our cashmere products.
Conclusion
While cashmere is
much lighter than traditional wool, it keeps you eight times warmer
than wool. Whether you have a cashmere scarf or sweater, you will
remain fashionable and cozy wearing genuine cashmere garments.
The reason
cashmere keeps its host animal – and you – warm, is because its
fibers trap natural body warmth, which makes it “breathable” to
help cool you down in the summer. While you might think of wearing
wool in the summer heat, you’ll remain comfortable wearing
cashmere.
Visit
MyPashmina.co.uk to see the genuine cashmere products we offer.
The only thing you’ll miss is feeling the plush difference in
cashmere versus rougher wool. However, both will keep you warm in
winter, cool in summer, and always looking fashionable.