Skate-Wear Central

Cashmere Sweaters

Did You Know Your Cashmere Sweater Came From The Belly Of A Goat?

You know that favorite cashmere sweater you have?  It feels so soft and buttery against your skin when you wear it doesn’t it?  You know if you take care of it the sweater will last forever.  And it is so warm!  All in all it’s a fantastic garment isn’t it?

And it should be because it cost a fortune!

Did you ever wonder why it cost so much?  Obviously it’s fantastically soft and it does wear really well but there are other knits and fabrics that come close.  Cashmere has also been associated with luxury for a very long time being the fabric of the rich and famous.  But is that why it’s so expensive?

Did you know your sweater came from the lower half of a goat?

From a Kashmir goat to be specific and if your sweater is really good quality that  goat is probably stomping around somewhere in Mongolia or along the border of Pakistan and India.  If it’s a lesser quality it may call Iran or Turkey or even the United States home.

Cashmere is made from the underhair of the Kashmir goat.  The best underhair on the goat is found on the lower half of the body and on the goat’s belly.  Harvesting this hair is not like shoring a sheep although that’s what happens outside of China, India and Pakistan.  

The traditional method of harvest involves combing the goat so that only the fine underhairs are removed not the coarse top layer of hair.  Believe it or not, but it can take up to three days to comb a single goat.  Each goat yields about 150 grams of underhair.  That’s less than 5.5 ounces.  By comparison, a sheep will produce 100 to 300 pounds of wool each year depending on the breed.  Can you see where cashmere is a pretty scarce commodity?

Once this cashmere “wool” is gathered it is then de-haired where the long hair that was removed during the harvesting process is separated from the underhair.  The resulting hairs are then cleaned, dyed and either spun into yarn or woven into fabric.

In the past, that usually meant that the raw product would be sent to Scotland or Italy who are both famous for their excellent spinning and weaving industries.  However, China has invested hugely in the technology and today a good portion of the harvest is processed by the Chinese.

So the next time you pull on that cashmere sweater think about that cute goat (or two) that had his belly combed for your enjoyment.  Cashmere rocks and so do Kashmir goats.

About the Author

Jessica Boyd loves to write about clothing items particularly a cashmere sweater but she has an opinion on cashmere sweaters sale as well.  Visit CashmereSweatersSale.com and find her take on the latest styles and trends for TSE Cashmere Sweaters right now!

12 Cashmere Sweaters 1

Roxy Girl Kids Fan Club Shorty (Pacific Blue) $34.5 Jean shorts are so versatile, who isn’t a fan… Our Fan Club denim shorts look great paired with tanks, tees, even your favorite sweaters! We crafted our 98% cotton, 2% spandex stretch denim bottoms with plenty of pockets and a 2 inch inseam. These are a definite must for fall (and winter, and spring… you get the idea.) Imported.

Roxy Miwok Sweater $54.5 Fall and winter are fast approaching – and you know there is no such thing as too many sweaters in the closet. Doing double duty – the Miwok sweater from Roxy is a great v-neck pullover that can be an add on for warmth – or worn alone for a hot style while it starts to get cool outside.

RVCA Radical 2 Cement Juniors V-Neck Sweater $59 Throw out your dowdy old-lady sweaters and add a fresh spin to a classic with the Radical 2 sweater from RVCA! Featuring thick yarn dye stripes across the midriff and arms, a deep v-neck and cool color palette, this is definitely not something your grandmother would wear – sorry, Grams.

Mens Billabong Shirt – Billabong Hitchens Long Sleeve Woven Shirt $39.99 Online Exclusive! Billabong has created this sweet button-up with some vintage style thanks to the faded tones and color combinations. The material is light weight so you can definitely layer this season with your trendy jackets and sweaters. There are two standard pockets on the front closed with a cream Billabong button. All you need to pair with this shirt is a good pair of denim and your stylish look is set for the season. Straight yoke. Medium spread collar. Twin button-flap chest pockets. 18.5″ wide shoulder. 30″ length (31″ back). Medium shown and measured.

Hurley One & Only Sweater $55 You have to love how at Hurley they came up with this whole One & Only category. Items with that name are essential basics that everyone should be packing away in his closet. The One & Only Sweater is a great looking v-neck sweater. I don’t know if you got the memo – but V-neck sweaters are this season’s key fashion item. They make you look like you care how other people percieve you. This style is made from 100% cotton with an embroidered icon. Get one of these and look good when the weather is cold.

Hurley One & Only V-neck Sweater $55 You have to love how at Hurley they came up with this whole One & Only category. Items with that name are essential basics that everyone should be packing away in his closet. The One & Only Sweater is a great looking v-neck sweater. I don’t know if you got the memo – but V-neck sweaters are this season’s key fashion item. They make you look like you care how other people percieve you. This style is made from 100% cotton with an embroidered icon. Get one of these and look good when the weather is cold.

Hostility Varsity Juniors Tri-Blend Cardigan Sweater – Charcoal $32 We all have those days when we sleep through our alarm clocks and don’t have much time to get ready. That’s when sweaters like Hostility’s Varsity cardigan come in handy. It features a soft heathered tri-blend construction with a flattering slim fit and fancy branded flourished heart embroidery on the left chest. Just slip on a tank and throw this thing on—you’ll be comfy and lookin’ cute in a jiff!

WeSC Swedish Herring T-Shirt – White $32 Fish heads, fish heads, roly poly fish heads. Fish heads, fish heads, eat ‘em up – yum! Ask a fish head anything you want – they won’t answer because they can’t talk. They don’t play baseball, they don’t wear sweaters, they’re not good dancers, and they don’t play drums! Roly poly fish heads are never seen drinking cappuccino in Italian restaurants – yeah! If you’re a fan of fish heads, grab this Swedish Herring fish head shirt from We are the Superlative Conspiracy!

Element Pearson Knit Sweater – Black $49.5 Mr. Rogers and his signature sweater were inseparable. Though the sweater may have been the subject of ridicule and more than one joke, these attacks were born from envy at its classic appeal. Take a lesson from Mr. R and hook yourself up with the Pearson sweater from Element. This lightweight sweater is a twist on classic striped sweaters — in addition to classic stripes woven into the fabric, this pullover features a Henley-esqe two-button collar and a drawstring hood, giving you multiple ways to wear it. It’ll definitely upgrade your style status to “So Fly.”

Element Abstract Sweater – Charcoal $56.5 No one’s going to listen to you wax philosophical unless you look the part; your normal skate duds, sadly, do not meet this requirement. Fortunately, the Abstract sweater from Element not only meets the proper level of sophisticated style required for serious philosophical discourse, but it’s also proven to increase your perceived IQ by 20 points. Then again, the scientists conducting the research backing this up were wearing these sweaters, so their claim is suspect. The only concrete fact is that you’ll look pretty darn scrumptious in the slight chill of autumn days.

Women’s Sorel Norquay $127.99 Inspired by our classic felt liners and vintage ski sweaters, this faux fur lined boot will keep you warm and comfortable in a variety of climates.; The side zipper has an easy-pull ring and allows for easily tucking your pants in.; Natural crepe rubber is layered for the outsole, providing excellent traction on slippery ground.; Water-resistant upper treated with DWR with zipper closure.; Removeable molded EVA comfort footbed.; Natural crepe rubber outsole.;

Billabong Relix Henly Hooded Sweater – Black $59.5 Your girl is always borrowing your sweaters on chilly summer nights. You want to tell her that someday you’re gonna need them back, but you just don’t have the heart – plus, she looks downright adorable in them. Well, prepare to have her gush with excitement when you rock this Relix Henly sweater from Billabong. This cozy hoodie features yarn dyed stripes, a two button placket and a terry cloth lining. Your girl will be pawing all over you all night to get her hands on this sweet sweater – too bad tonight she is going to have to freeze, because this one is staying on you!

Men’s K-Swiss The Classic $51.99 Extra soft cashmere leather upper for great feel and luxurious look; Contoured footbed and plush sockliner provide ample cushioning and support; Padded heel collar and tongue for better fit and reduced friction; Shorted vamp and broader toe box for roomier, more comfortable fit; Exclusive Aosta rubber outsole with anatomical grooves for flexible, long-lasting support; Durable brick-herringbone tread pattern for resilient traction on a variety of surfaces;

Men’s K-Swiss Classic Luxury Edition $64.99 Extra soft cashmere leather upper for great feel and luxurious look; Contoured footbed and plush sockliner provide ample cushioning and support; Padded heel collar and tongue for better fit and reduced friction; Shorted vamp and broader toe box for roomier, more comfortable fit; Exclusive Aosta rubber outsole with anatomical grooves for flexible, long-lasting support; Durable brick-herringbone tread pattern for resilient traction on a variety of surfaces;

Youth K-Swiss Classic (Youth) $34.99 Extra soft cashmere leather upper for great feel and luxurious look; Contoured footbed and plush sockliner provide ample cushioning and support; Padded heel collar and tongue for better fit and reduced friction; Shorted vamp and broader toe box for roomier, more comfortable fit; Exclusive Aosta rubber outsole with anatomical grooves for flexible, long-lasting support; Durable brick-herringbone tread pattern for resilient traction on a variety of surfaces;

Women’s K-Swiss Classic Luxury Edition $47.99 Extra soft cashmere leather upper for great feel and luxurious look; Contoured footbed and plush sockliner provide ample cushioning and support; Padded heel collar and tongue for better fit and reduced friction; Shorted vamp and broader toe box for roomier, more comfortable fit; Exclusive Aosta rubber outsole with anatomical grooves for flexible, long-lasting support; Durable brick-herringbone tread pattern for resilient traction on a variety of surfaces;

Women’s K-Swiss The Classic $51.99 Extra soft cashmere leather upper for great feel and luxurious look; Contoured footbed and plush sockliner provide ample cushioning and support; Padded heel collar and tongue for better fit and reduced friction; Shorted vamp and broader toe box for roomier, more comfortable fit; Exclusive Aosta rubber outsole with anatomical grooves for flexible, long-lasting support; Durable brick-herringbone tread pattern for resilient traction on a variety of surfaces;

Toddler’s K-Swiss Classic (Toddler/Youth) $39.99 Extra soft cashmere leather upper for great feel and luxurious look; Contoured footbed and plush sockliner provide ample cushioning and support; Padded heel collar and tongue for better fit and reduced friction; Shorted vamp and broader toe box for roomier, more comfortable fit; Exclusive Aosta rubber outsole with anatomical grooves for flexible, long-lasting support; Durable brick-herringbone tread pattern for resilient traction on a variety of surfaces;