Cashmere comes from a particular breed of goat (Capra hircus laniger). The goat molts in the spring, and the fine underbelly hair is collected (usually through combing). There are specific regulations as to the diameter of the hairs which can be used and labeled "cashmere". The cashmere is sorted (de-haired) to remove any coarser guard hairs, then washed and scoured before spinning & weaving or knitting. The average goat produces 4 to 9 oz. of cashmere fiber per year. It takes on average 4 goats to produce enough fiber for 1 sweater. Considering you can only harvest fiber once/year, I bet you are not surprised that cashmere is so expensive, huh?
[warning, the following may contain a political viewpoint] Now consider that there is about 1500 tons of cashmere produced per year (at 32,000 oz./ton that is 48 billion oz. or 5.33 million goats needed to produce 9 oz. of fiber per year). NOW, consider the environment - keeping in mind that when goats graze, they have the ability to strip the land...
Suddenly your cashmere just got more expensive, didn't it?
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