Cashmere is one of nature’s triumphs.
Although it is commonly referred to as wool, the fibers are softer and longer and 3 times more insulating than sheep’s wool. The hand is smooth and soft and, in a word, comforting. It is luxurious. It is warm. It is rare.
Wild cashmere goats have long roamed the Himalayan plateau where it has been used for thousands of years. It is named after Kashmir, the northern most province in India. The British changed the name to cashmere.
The story goes that during Napoleon’s wars, a general brought a fine shawl to France. It caused quite a stir. The French decided they would try to raise the goats in France. That experiment failed on many levels, but the desire for cashmere never faded.
The wool is collected during molting season from March through May. Like all agricultural products, there are better years than other in terms of quality and quantity. Today, most cashmere comes from China, which unfortunately includes Tibet.
While weaving on commercial looms increases output, it does not improve quality.
Of course, all cashmere was hand loomed until the Industrial Revolution. While weaving on commercial looms increases output, it does not improve quality. The natural wool must be processed into a yarn that can be used on the looms. This processing breaks
down some of the fibers in order to achieve the consistency needed. Afterwards, most commercially produced cashmere products are brushed to achieve a smooth surface. Ultimately, the short pieces of yarn that are pulled to the surface in brushing will begin to pill. This does not happen with hand loomed cashmere. In addition, the body of a hand loomed product is more supple and rich than commercially produced cashmere.
One more thing, how is it that there are cashmere sweaters selling for $25.00? Two reasons. One is that unscrupulous people are diluting the cashmere goat stock with common goats to increase output. And the other reason is that these products contain very little cashmere. Sometimes only 5%.
ANICHINI has joined forces with a partner in Nepal to produce our cashmere.
Only the finest yarns are sourced. These yarns are then hand woven and hand finished in a meticulous manner which allows us to offer the best cashmere throws and blankets in the marketplace today.
These pieces are heirlooms,
meant to last a lifetime, or more.
SEE MORE OF OUR CASHMERE’S HANDMADE PRODUCTION IN THE VIDEO BELOW:
DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION ON CASHMERE?
ASK ME IN THE COMMENT SECTION BELOW.
I’m having a hard choice. I’ve definitely heard of your Brand Anichini from high end textile magazines quite a few years ago. Unfortunately I’ve yet to own any of them. I’m now ready to purchase an heirloom quality 100% Cashmere size California King blanket for regular seasonal year round use. I’m not shopping by price or color. My criteria is. Quality and size. I’ve bypassed Yves, Frette and Matouk for either quality or size issues. I don’t want to do Bespoke with anyone. So my final two choices I’ve narrowed down to. ANICHINI or SFERRA which I’ve had a very long history with but without going Bespoke. They just can’t give me the size I’m looking for. So, please help educate me on the benefits of ANICHINI ? Thank you, Respectfully yours. Christopher L. Southern California.