Cashmere
Cashmere wool is a fibre obtained from the Cashmere goat, the Capra Hircus goat. Cashmere wool is fine in texture, but it is also strong, light, and soft; when it is made into garments.
Cashmere is extremely valued because despite being light it is extremely warm to wear, much warmer than the equivalent weight in sheep's wool, so you can be comfortably warm without the bulk of woolly jumpers.
Capra Hircus Goat To Produce Cashmere
Where Does Cashmere Come From?
The best cashmere in the world comes from the Capra Hircus goat on the plains of Inner Mongolia, China. Cashmere is also produced in smaller quantities and lower grades in other countries like: New Zealand, Australia, India, Nepal, Iran, Afghanistan, U.S.A. and Turkey.
The Capra Hircus goats of Inner Mongolia are a special pedigree of goat who have adapted to the extreme winter climate of Inner Mongolia where temperatures plummet to -40° c. To keep warm, these sturdy animals produce the finest grade of cashmere on Earth.
Cashmere Cardigans from the Pure® Collection
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeThe Pure Collection
Pure® Collection is a company specialized in cashmere. Pure Collection was founded in 2002 by Nick Falkingham & Adam Holdsworth. They saw an opportunity to employ Adam’s connections in the Mongolian cashmere industry to fill a gap in the market for classic modern, yet chic, cashmere that could be worn in a professional, elegant or casual environment, at accessible prices. By 2006 Pure was already the largest cashmere brand in the UK.
100% Pure Cashmere Pashmina Shawls
Cashmere Dresses form the from the Pure® Collection
Click thumbnail to view full-sizeNot All Cashmere Is the Same
A‘100% cashmere’ label is no guarantee of quality. There are many grades of cashmere quality just as with diamonds, gold and other precious materials. The difference between the exceptional quality used by Pure® and other cashmeres can only be conveyed by feeling it and wearing it.
Pure® cashmere is grown from herds of goats that are farmed in a controlled area so that they do not cause devastation to the ecologically sensitive grasslands of Inner Mongolia. Since April 2008, all cashmere that bears the Pure® label has been made from sustainable sources
RARE CASHMERE: the pinnacle of luxury
Pure Superfine™ is the pinnacle of cashmere luxury. To illustrate just how rare and luxurious Pure Superfine™ really is, consider this:
- It takes 4 goats an entire year to produce enough fibre to make an average cashmere sweater;
- It takes 8 goats an entire year to produce the fibre we specify to create a Pure® 2 ply sweater
- To create a Pure Superfine™ sweater requires the fibre of no fewer than 12 goats.
What Is The Best Way To Wash My Cashmere?
By hand is the short answer. Soak the item in lukewarm water for 5 minutes, and then gently ‘squish’ to let the suds soak through the fibres. Rinse in lukewarm water using the same ‘squishing’ action – never wringing - until the water is clear.
Roll the garment in a towel to remove the extra moisture and speed drying. After washing all garments should be re-shaped while damp and lay flat to dry, away from heat and sunlight. Smooth the garment back into shape, gently coaxing any facings or trims back to the correct size. This is an important part of the process to get it right.
How To Store My Cashmere?
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Only store clean garments away.
- Cashmere is better if it is washed regularly as moths are not as attracted to the fibre, as much by the food, dirt, perspiration or body oils left on a garment.
- Store your sweaters in breathable zip-up plastic bags in a cool place.
- If you don’t like the smell of mothballs, try cedar wood balls or other alternatives are: Cloves, lavender, rosemary, thyme or dried orange peel.
How do I protect my Cashmere clothes?
Cedar or lavender are excellent for preventing moths from locating and settling in your wardrobe. But if you already have moths attacking your cashmere, then a few days in the freezer will ensure that any larvae are killed.
Why does some cashmere itch?
Because it has a build up of dye use to colour the fabric. Another reason is poor quality cashmere.