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Just What Are Cashmere and Pashmina Scarves and Shawls Anyway?

March 11, 2011


  If you are looking at so-called natural products, two terms commonly being tossed about are cashmere and pashmina. Confusion often arises for usage, particularly when someone applies them to scarves and shawls. This begs the question: “What, if any, is the difference between cashmere and pashmina scarves and shawls?

In the beginning, cashmere and pashmina come from the same source – wool or hair from goats. The word “cashmere” gets its origins from a border region of northern India and northeast Pakistan. This is Kashmir, one of the more disputed regions in the world. Yet, in this mountainous region, weavers have plied their talents to producing cashmere and pashmina garments from the fine and downy undercoat of the Kashmir goats. This wool is incredibly warm and very luxurious. Recently, in China and Tibet, the weavers have also taken up the trade. The wool they derive for the same goats is finer because of the even cooler climate.

The goats responsible for producing the wool for cashmere and pashmina scarves and shawls have a double layer coat. The outer layer consists of coarse and rough hair. The undercoat is finer and made up of soft hairs resembling fur more than hair. During winter, it is the ideal protection for the goats from the frigid temperatures. In spring and summer, however, it no longer serves a purpose. Molting occurs naturally but goat herders help the process by shearing away the excess coat. They then separate the material and turn it over to the weavers to card it, turning the raw product into yarn. Traditional techniques are applied as the yarn becomes high quality clothing and fabric.

Cashmere and pashmina scarves and shawls come from identical raw wool. Yet, a difference exists. This is in the thickness of the yarn fibers. The fineness of the yarn is measured in microns with one micron equaling a millionth of a meter. In the case of cashmere yarn, the thickness is approximately 19 microns. Pashmina yarn measures less than 15 microns.

If you want to be sure you have a real cashmere or pashmina scarf or shawl, make sure the label states so. In order for it to be truly cashmere or pashmina it must say 100% cashmere or pashmina yarn. Alternatively, you may find scarves and shawls combining the two wools or in a silk-wool mixture. The amount of pure wool is important. It affects the quality and the ability of the wool to fulfill its natural properties of warmth, elegance and style. Another factor affecting the quality and performance of the wool is the areas of removal. The better quality of wool comes from two areas of the goat: the belly and the throat.

Cashmere and pashmina wool take well to dying.  While the natural colors of the goat hair are brown, white or grey, the finished product comes in a wide range of mind-boggling colors. The strikingly soft and astonishingly warm cashmere and pashmina scarves and shawls are elegant accessories adding a touch of complete opulence and sophistication to whatever outfit you choose to wear.

Julie-Ann.

March 11, 2011

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