What’s not so far-reaching, however, is the knowledge of the supply chain behind cashmere.
Cashmere fiber comes from goats that provide a small amount of usable fiber each year… it takes up to 3 goats to produce a sweater and 6 produce a jacket.
Due to the globally rising demand, fiber from cashmere goats has continued to be more lucrative than other wools, which has resulted in a shocking increase in the number of cashmere goats herded throughout China and Mongolia.
With cashmere garments selling for anywhere between $30 to >$1,000, and with herd numbers growing by nearly 5 million a year, the real “scarce” resource isn’t goats or their wool, but instead, it’s grasslands for grazing.
Cashmere goats have sharp hooves which cause them to trample grasslands and long tongues, which allow them to rip plants from their roots when snacking.
Consider the amount of cashmere that a single goat can shed each spring. The most productive goats will produce at most 250 grams of wool a year.
Due to their relatively low wool yield, for herders to collect competitive volumes, they need to have many goats, usually grazing within a small area.
Overgrazing stresses the natural ecological role goats play in the region, and as a result, 90% of Mongolia is currently at risk of turning into a barren desert (already linked to a 4° F rise in regional temperature).
Cashmere goats are already responsible for transforming 70% of Mongolia's grasslands into deserts.
The degradation of grasslands immediately impacts more than half of the population of Mongolia who relies on and has deep ties to the land.
Indirectly, the effect of overgrazing on climate change will create significant long-term consequences globally (dust storms, temperature increase, drought, etc.)
Yak wool, AKA “khullu” is not only a cashmere alternative because it's similarly soft and comfy to wear all the time. Khullu is also considered an alternative because it's more sustainable, breathable, durable, and warmer than cashmere.
A little more antimicrobial, a little more thermoregulating, a little softer, and a little more expensive. Yak Wool Vs Cashmere: Yak wool is often considered a sustainable alternative to cashmere. It's soft like cashmere and easy to care for, unlike cashmere.
Khullu is the fiber grown around the neck and belly of yak. Khullu is some of the highest performing wool that is extremely durable while maintaining a soft and luxurious hand feel. Yak wool is obtained both by shearing or by combing.
Why choose yak wool? Yak wool is hollow, allowing for air within the fibre to increase insulation. It is also very fine, trapping air between the multiple fibres to keep you warm. Yak wool is highly flexible, which means it is comfortable against your skin since the fibres bend and adapt to your movement.
Secondly, cashmere is more expensive because it takes many more goats to obtain the same amount of raw material. Indeed, a cashmere goat produces more or less 150 grams of fibre per year while an Alpaca produces 2.5 kg.
It's said that yak yarn is hypoallergenic. On the downside, it's a short-staple fiber. It's possible to spin the pure wool, but lace weights are a bit rarer. You'll often find blends with other fibers.
If you are washing the scarf in an automatic washing machine, always wash cashmere/ pashmina and Yak wool products at temperatures 20°C, or lower to maintain the shape and avoiding shrinkage. Always use a program for wool.
Yak wool, AKA “khullu” is not only a cashmere alternative because it's similarly soft and comfy to wear all the time. Khullu is also considered an alternative because it's more sustainable, breathable, durable, and warmer than cashmere.
Merino wool is significantly cheaper and more durable than cashmere yet still pretty soft, said Tom Scott, an assistant professor specializing in fashion design and knitwear at New York's Fashion Institute of Technology. And—critical for those of us who work in inhospitably toasty offices—it's famously breathable.
Yak has 66% better moisture wicking than sheep wool. Sustainable and not factory farmed. Our yak cashmere is hand-gathered once a year by nomadic herders. Yak is hypo-allergenic and not itchy.
Next time you are unsure about a product you are being told is wool, ask the seller to pull off a little fluff and burn it; acrylic 'fluff' will quickly turn black and smell like rubber, while wool will slowly burn and smell like (for example) human hair burning.
Odor-resistance: Contrary to popular belief, yaks do not have a strong odor. Unless combined with the bacteria that live on the skin, sweat is odorless. The anti-microbial properties of yak fibers prevent bacteria from living on sweat thereby considerably reducing odor.
However, its high price point often puts it out of reach for many consumers. Yak wool offers more softness and warmth at a lower cost. Yak wool is more expensive than wool. Thanks to its unmatched warmth and softness, it is easy to see why.
But the fine 14 micron wool costs a lot of money and takes a long time to process. In comparison, Baby Alpaca wool or Vicuña is also 14 microns or less in thickness, meaning a warmer, more comfortable item can be produced in a fraction of the time and at a much better price.
Therefore Vicuna is about 10 times more expensive than it's closest comparison point, cashmere. Vicuna is softer but also warmer than Cashmere, hence why it's considered to be a better fabric. Also, the animal that Vicuna comes from is endangered, thus making it even more expensive.
The finest of them all: cashmere. Derived from the cashmere goat, this type of wool is known for its extra-fine, long and soft fibers that offer great insulation, even at a low weight. That's why cashmere knits often come in a fine gauge: that's simply all you need to be comfy all day long.
Merino wool is the highest quality wool, sourced from a breed of sheep called Merino. These sheep produce finer wool than other breeds, which means that the vast majority of Australian wool is suited to the manufacturing of the world's highest quality apparel and high-end fashion garments.
Vicuña wool is one of the most coveted and rare luxury materials in modern times. Today there are around 200,000 wild vicuñas living in Peru. The vicuña is now Peru's national animal. Conservation limits how much vicuña wool can be collected.
Introduction: My name is Tish Haag, I am a excited, delightful, curious, beautiful, agreeable, enchanting, fancy person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
We notice you're using an ad blocker
Without advertising income, we can't keep making this site awesome for you.
