Rams Wool
Cashmere wool, or simply cashmere, has been used for making garments since the 3rd century BC. The more modern cashmere wool industry was created in the 15th century by the current ruler of Kashmir, Zayn-ul-Abidin (remember this name, there is a quiz at the end). Which ever start date you use, not too many things have been around that long. So what makes cashmere so special?
The wool comes from the Cashmere goat or “Capra hircus laniger” (remember that quiz!). Now whether the goat was named for the fiber or the fiber for the goat, no one knows. Either way, getting cashmere wool from a Cashmere goat is easy enough to remember. But,again, what is it that makes this wool so special?
The Cashmere goat produces what is called a double fleece. The top layer is straight, coarse fiber that needs to withstand the elements. The second layer is a soft undercoat of hair and it is this ‘underdown’ that produces the soft cashmere wool we know so well. It must be separated from the coarse outer layer before it can be dyed and spun into yarn for knitting wool fingerless gloves, sweaters, scarves, etc.
The cashmere wool is collected once per year in spring and each goat only produces about 150 grams or a little over 5 ounces of wool. Compare that to a Merino sheep which produces 6-13 pounds of wool per year or a good quality Peppin Merino ram that can produce up to 35 pounds per year! It takes two goats to make enough wool for a 2 ply sweater (according to the CCMI Manufacturers Institute [out] ) so you can see why your cashmere sweater is more expensive!
Is it worth the money? I think so. Cashmere is light weight but very warm and extremely soft to the touch. Other wools are heavier and the cheap stuff can sometimes scratch or itch. Pure cashmere travels well as it doesn’t wrinkle and actually becomes softer with age. They rarely pill (those annoying little dots that appear on your sweater after a wash) and with proper care, should last a lifetime.
Cashmere wool fingerless gloves feel so soft it’s like a sweater for your hands! When shopping, look for pure cashmere to get all the benefits. If you’re on a budget, try the cashmere silk blend as the silk gives a little more shine while giving most of the benefits of cashmere.
Quiz: (you were warned)
- What does the name of the goat cashmere comes from?
- Does a cashmere goat produce a double fleece or a ‘golden fleece’?
- What movie did Jason pursue the famous ‘golden fleece’?
I am a retired executive and small business owner. I hope you found this article informative and amusing. Come visit my World of Fingerless Gloves for more articles, lots of useful information and entertaining fingerless glove stories.
Shearing the rams
|
|
NFL St. Louis Rams Black /Navy Reversible Wool Blend Jacket with Leather Sleeves $74.36 |
|
|
NFL St. Louis Rams Black /Navy Reversible Wool Blend Jacket with Leather Sleeves $74.36 |
|
|
NFL St. Louis Rams Black /Navy Reversible Wool Blend Jacket with Leather Sleeves $74.36 |
|
|
VTG CLIFF ENGLE Los Angeles LA RAMS COACHES SWEATER wool $59.99 |
|
|
Steiff Young Ram JUNG WIDDER WOOL 3452/19 Button And Tag VERY RARE $284.40 |
|
|
COLORADO STATE RAMS ADJUSTABLE WOOL OFFICIAL LOGO CAP HAT BY TOP OF THE WORLD $18.94 |
|
|
Raw Sheep Wool Targhee X Ram Fiber Fleece Gray/Brown Crimpy and PRETTY 1/2 lb $7.00 |
|
|
Los Angeles Rams NFL Vintage Wool Solid Snapback Mitchell & Ness NZ978 M&N $17.95 |
|
|
New Era LA Los Angeles St. Louis Rams VINTAGE WOOL CAP $49.94 |
|
|
Los Angeles Rams NFL Vintage Wool Solid Snapback Mitchell & Ness NZ978 M&N $26.00 |
|
|
St Louis Rams 32″ Wool Heritage Banner Super Bowl XXXIV NFL $23.99 |
|
|
JC Freeman Sons NFL Cleveland Rams 1937-1945 Semi Wool Jacket 4XL Free shipping $89.99 |
|
|
COLORADO STATE RAMS PREMIUM WOOL ONE-FIT CAP HAT BY TOP OF THE WORLD SZ L/XL $21.94 |
|
|
44 R Vtg Rams Head Green Herringbone Tweed Wool Mens Jacket Sport Coat Blazer $62.95 |
|
|
St. Louis Rams Adj Reebok Wool Blend Navy Hat Cap $17.57 |
|
|
NFL Mitchell Ness Throwback Logo Hat Cap Fitted Wool TK03 St Louis Rams Size 8 $24.99 |
|
|
NFL Multi-logo Wool & Leather Jacket 5XL Patriots Giants Lions Rams Jets Raiders $74.36 |
|
|
NWT Ralph Lauren Women’s Rams Wool Cabled V-Neck Sweater M $59.90 |
|
|
GENUINE 1845 PRINT MERINO SHEEP LAMB WOOL SHEPHERD FARMING RAM SPINNING $4.70 |
|
|
GENUINE 1845 PRINT MIDDLE SHEEP LAMB WOOL SHEPHERD FARMING RAM SPINNING BRITISH $4.70 |
|
|
Persian Wool by Ditz – 3×2 inch Fridge Magnet – large magnetic button – Magnet $4.99 Rectangular wrap-around refrigerator magnet and a glossy mylar cover.Large 2×3 inch rectangle fridge magnet or ‘buttons’ as they are sometimes known in the USA.Crop shown is automated for display purposes only. All magnets are hand finished and the best most appropriate crop will always be selected to best show the full image. Therefore, actual product may vary slightly from crop shown – this can … |
|
|
Persian Wool by Ditz – Mug – Standard Size $14.50 This mug is created using the finest dye sublimation techniques and creates a stunning dishwasher safe finish. Great as a gift, or for promotional items. Each of our mugs come individually boxed for protection in transit…. |
|
|
Persian Wool by Ditz – Tea Towel 100% Cotton – Art247 – Tea Towel – 46×70cm $20.49 100% Cotton. Made in UK. Size 70cms X 46cmsThis is an automated preview only. Actual Tea Towel design may vary. All products are hand finished by our expert manufacturers and the best crop available will always be selected…. |
|
|
Persian Wool by Ditz – Greeting Card (Pack of 2) – 7×5 inch – Art247 – Standard Size – Pack Of 2 $6.50 This photographic Greeting Card is created on 300gsm FSC approved card. The result – a stunning reproduction at an affordable price. Actual size 7×5 inch.Greeting card comes with high grade white envelope as standard.This is an automated preview only. Actual Greeting Card design may vary. All products are hand finished by our expert manufacturers and the best crop available will always be selected… |
|
|
Felt Wallet Monsters – Ram $7.50 Little monsters guard all treasure – coins, keys, jewelry, seashells, pretty pebbles, fancy buttons… Feed them and they’ll keep it zipped! Ram (blue) does its magic in pockets, backpacks, travel bags and purses.A fair-trade product! Handmade in Nepal through a group promoting employment opportunities for skilled traditional craftsmen.All-natural wool felt with zipper mouths and button eyes. 4″ W… |
|
|
Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Scottish Blackface SHEEP – ram, standing, front view from Ardea Wildlife Pets $24.99 Photo Puzzle, Scottish Blackface SHEEP – ram, standing, front view. USH-530 Scottish Blackface SHEEP – ram, standing, front view Duncan Usher Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way. contact details prints ardea tel 020 8672 2067. Chosen by Ardea Wildlife Pets. 10×14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimension… |
|
|
Photo Jigsaw Puzzle of Sheep, Trotternish from Danita Delimont $24.99 Photo Puzzle, Sheep, Trotternish. Sheep, Trotternish Peninsula, Isle of Skye, Scotland, United Kingdom. Chosen by Danita Delimont. 10×14 Photo Puzzle with 252 pieces. Packed in black cardboard box of dimensions 5 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 1/5. Puzzle image 5×7 affixed to box top. Puzzle pieces printed on RA4 paper at 300 dpi. This item is shipped from our American lab…. |
|
|
Production of wool and lamb from different types of ewes and breeds of rams (Bulletin / New Mexico College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. Agricultural Experiment Station) … |
|
|
Production of Wool and Lamb from Different Types of Ewes and Breeds of Rams … |
|
|
Final technical report on studies in the canary coloration of raw wools … |