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What is a Cashmere throw?

October 11th, 2022 | 247 views
What is a Cashmere throw?

As soon as we go out shopping for our new home furnishing, a large number of options capture our attention. One of the accessories that aren't essential but will make homes more cozy are throws. A throw is a smaller version of a blanket that one can use while sitting on a lounger or any particular settee. It makes sitting and lounging around comfortable and enjoyable. A Cashmere throw is gaining more and more popularity owing to its lightweight yet immense warmth. But what is a throw and how is it different from a blanket? We shall know.

Throw vs Blanket: What’s the difference?

Many don't realize that throws are different from blankets and at times mistakenly place large blankets around their settee. This is not appropriate as far as home decor is concerned. A throw is a smaller version of a blanket and is lightweight enough to be even carried around. Blankets are larger in size. Other than this, one major difference between a blanket and a throw is the usage. Whereas blankets are used for proper bedding and to keep one warm, throws are more aesthetic and decorative in nature. For this reason, throws are, at times, made of cotton, whereas blankets are always made from warmer materials.

What is a Throw?

cashmere throw
A cashmere throw

If you are a home decor patron or simply an admirer of aesthetic things, you will surely be fascinated with the idea of placing a contrasting coloured throw over your settee. The main purpose of a throw is to amp up your sitting area and style a particular room even more. Throws can be used over a bed, but usually, these are placed over sofas. These come in a variety of sizes, colours, and types, and hence can be both high and low-priced. The material used in the making of a throw is what determines the price of these decorative accessories. While cotton and polyester throws are the cheapest, fine wool and Cashmere throws are the most expensive. 

Why should we use a Throw?

A throw is usually purchased for decorative purposes, but this never means that it is of no use. A throw can actually have practical applications. If the weather seems colder, but not as much as one would curl up in a bed, one can easily lay on a couch with the lighter throw wrapped around. The best way to warm up in a comfortable way is using a Cashmere throw as heavy blankets can’t be carried around from one settee to another. 

Throws are the best friends for pets. When your pet lays around the couch and wants to cozy up as a result of the cooler season, throws are an ideal option. Wool throws and even cotton ones are perfect for your furry friends. In addition to these, one can always carry a throw to a picnic where you feel the weather might change. 

On top of these all, throws give the perfect element of colour to your sitting areas. If your sitting area is a nude-shaded one, a warm brown will add the ideal amount of colour it needs. Be it your living room, bedroom, or home office setting, throws are simply the perfect colder season partners. 

What is a Cashmere throw?

Out of all throws, the Cashmere throw is the most expensive one. The reason for this high price is the quality and processing of Cashmere to convert it into the fabric. To know more about Cashmere, let us discuss what it is and how it is processed to convert wool lumps to the fabric.

What is Cashmere?

cashmere goat
Capra Hircus in Ladakh

Cashmere is a variety of wool that is obtained from the Capra Hircus goats found in Ladakh. Fine wool is obtained from goats and used to make luxury textiles for centuries now. The best and the most famous use of Cashmere is the making of the Kashmiri Pashmina shawl which crossed all boundaries of the world to be owned by royal families in Europe, Asia, Australia, and America. The reason was the softness, smoothness, and finesse of the Cashmere fiber which was 1/4th of the human hair in diameter. It began to be used as shawls, apparel, and upholstery items for the royals and their courts. 

Where does Cashmere come from?

Stunning land of Ladakh - All you need to know about the Pashm fibre
Ladakh region of India

When we talk about the finest Cashmere wool, it is obtained from Ladakh. Even though Cashmere producing goats are found in many places in Asia, the best quality Cashmere comes from Ladakh, North India. The nomadic tribal population which resides here in the Changthang region rears a special exotic goat species. The Capra Hircus also known as Cashmere goat grows a fine fleece over the sensitive parts of its body, like the underbelly, neck, etc. This wool is Cashmere, but it is still to be processed and sorted as it is right now mingled with thick guard hair. Guard hair needs to be separated for 100% pure Cashmere fibre. Dehaired Cashmere is ready to be further processed, converted to yarn, and later to textile, apparel, or wrap accessories

How is Cashmere obtained?

changthangi goat being combed
Changthangi goat being combed

Cashmere wool is collected during mid-spring when goats tend to shed it naturally. It starts in March and ends in May. During this time, hormonal changes in the animal force it to shed the wool, and the goat rubs itself on rough surfaces to get rid of some portion of this warm fleece. The animal is ethically treated and wool is combed off its body with specialized tools and combs by professionals. When the entire wool is collected, it is sorted as per finesse. Pure Cashmere is later separated from guard hair and processed further. 

Processing of Cashmere

Raw Cashmere wool is sent to Kashmir for further processing where women again clean it. They check for any foreign material or guard hair and send it for spinning only when they are sure about the purity of the wool. 

spinning cashmere
The artisan spinning the cashmere on yinder

After the cleaning process, Cashmere wool is sent for spinning. Women spin Cashmere on a wooden spinning wheel called 'yinder'. The spinning wheel helps to create long threads of Cashmere yarn out of the lump of cleaned wool. The threads are strung together and sent to the factory where large wooden hand looms await

Handloom is used to weave Cashmere yarn and produce fabric. The handloom too is made of wood and is more traditional than modern. Hence more work is done manually on it. As soon as threads of Cashmere arrive, they are mounted on the loom heddles and two or more workers start weaving it. Thus a fabric is brought into existence, and this fabric is the Cashmere fabric. Shawls, scarves, and throws are obtained from this large fabric and sold to customers all over the world. 

Also read: WHICH COUNTRY HAS THE BEST CASHMERE IN THE WORLD?

Why is Cashmere throws expensive?

The procurement and processing of Cashmere wool is a difficult task. At times, producers visit the high-altitude regions of Ladakh themselves, even if the travel is dangerous. But fine Cashmere is procured, come what may. After this challenge, Cashmere is processed in several steps manually, which again takes months or sometimes even years to complete. Hence, anything made from Cashmere, even a baby blanket, is expensive and very well deserved. Hence large shawls, and blankets, too, are expensive. Since an average throw is about 50 inches by 60 inches, it uses more fabric. It is hence pricey. 

Also read: WHAT IS PASHMINA CASHMERE?

We, Pashmina.com, are the largest curators of pure and handcrafted Pashmina products in the online space. We are on a mission to revive this dying art by spreading our wings throughout the world by way of our online platform. Our website serves as a window to our range of products that are luxurious and have the highest quality. We offer the widest range, certified quality, luxurious packaging and free shipping to over 150 countries.

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