Hand-spun 100% cashmere refers to yarn made entirely from cashmere fibers that are manually spun into thread. This traditional method emphasizes craftsmanship and results in luxurious, high-quality textiles.
Sourcing Cashmere Fibers:
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Origin: Cashmere is obtained from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats, primarily found in regions like Mongolia, China, Nepal, and India.
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Collection Process: During the spring molting season, goats naturally shed their winter coats. The fine undercoat is carefully combed by hand, separating it from the coarse outer hair. This meticulous process yields high-quality cashmere fibers.
Hand Spinning Process:
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Preparation: Collected fibers undergo carding, a technique that disentangles and aligns them. Traditionally, this involves using hand carders—paddle-like tools with embedded pins—to produce a continuous strand ready for spinning.
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Spinning: The aligned fibers are then spun into yarn using a spinning wheel or spindle. This manual process allows artisans to control the yarn’s thickness and twist, resulting in a unique texture and quality that machine-spun yarns often lack.
Characteristics of Hand-Spun Cashmere:
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Softness and Warmth: Hand-spun cashmere retains the natural softness and insulating properties of the fibers, offering exceptional comfort and warmth.
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Unique Texture: The manual spinning process imparts a distinct texture to the yarn, giving each garment a unique character.
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Artisanal Value: Products made from hand-spun cashmere reflect traditional craftsmanship, often resulting in higher-quality and more durable textiles.
In summary, hand-spun 100% cashmere combines the luxurious qualities of pure cashmere fibers with the artisanal touch of traditional spinning techniques, producing unique and high-quality garments.