Can all the goat’s hair be used to make cashmere?
Can all the goat’s hair be used to make cashmere?
Not all the cashmere goat’s hair is suitable for making cashmere clothing. Cashmere goats have two coats: a course outer coat (guard hair) and a fine down (undercoat). The guard hair provides physical protection, while the undercoat provides thermal insulation. This is an ideal combination for extreme cold weather. The fine cashmere down starts to grow in the summer to prepare the goat to withstand the harsh winter, and then sheds in spring when it is no longer needed. This is when the cashmere can be harvested.