Cashmere is fine hair combed from goats. It is a rare special animal fiber. It is known as "soft gold" and "fiber queen" because of its light texture and excellent warmth retention. It is one of the core raw materials in the high-end textile field. The global annual output of cashmere is only about 10,000 tons, accounting for 0.2% of the total natural fiber output. Its scarcity makes it a precious category among textile raw materials.
The growth of cashmere has obvious seasonality, and it is mainly produced in areas with high altitude and cold climate, such as Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Mongolia, Iran, etc. in China. In order to adapt to the severe cold climate, goats in these areas will grow fine undercoat on their skin in autumn and winter to withstand low temperatures. When the weather gets warmer in spring, the undercoat will naturally fall off, which is also a good time to collect cashmere. The collection method is mainly combing. Workers use special iron combs to comb the down from the goats. The process needs to be done gently to avoid damaging the goat's skin and ensure the integrity of the down.
From the perspective of fiber characteristics, the diameter of cashmere is only 14-17 microns, which is much finer than wool. This is the core reason why it feels soft and delicate. There is a scale layer on the surface of wool and the scales are thicker and harder, while the scales of cashmere are thinner and smoother. They do not feel itchy when in contact with the skin and have good skin-friendly properties. At the same time, the hollow structure of cashmere makes it 1.5-2 times warmer than wool and lighter in weight. The clothing made of cashmere is light and does not weigh the body, and is both warm and comfortable. In addition, cashmere has strong hygroscopicity and can absorb 35% of its own weight in moisture. It has good breathability and can keep the skin dry when worn. It is suitable for making high-end cashmere sweaters, scarves, shawls and other clothing.
The processing technology of cashmere is complex and demanding, requiring multiple processes such as sorting, washing, carding, spinning, weaving, and finishing. The sorting process involves removing coarse wool and impurities, and screening out pure fine velvet; carding involves combing the cashmere fibers straight and removing short lint to ensure uniform fiber length and lay the foundation for subsequent spinning. Because the fiber is thin and the strength is relatively low, the tension needs to be controlled during the spinning process to avoid fiber breakage. Therefore, the production cost of cashmere yarn is much higher than that of ordinary yarn.
In terms of maintenance, cashmere products require gentle care due to the delicate fiber. It is recommended to hand wash with cold water, use neutral detergent, avoid vigorous rubbing and machine washing, lay it flat to dry in the sun to prevent deformation; put insect repellent when storing, and avoid contact with sharp objects to extend the service life.
As a natural and environmentally friendly fiber raw material, the production of cashmere is closely related to ecological protection. Today, the industry is paying more and more attention to sustainable development. Through scientific breeding management and reasonable collection methods, while ensuring the quality of cashmere, the ecological balance of the grassland is maintained, so that this rare fiber can be used sustainably.
