Cashmere is one of the most precious natural fibres — the fine downy undercoat of Kashmir goats that live in the highlands of Asia. A single goat yields only about 100–200 g of down a year, combed out by hand, which explains the price. Cashmere is extraordinarily soft and light yet several times warmer than ordinary wool, does not prickle and retains heat at very low weight. It is knitted into premium sweaters, shawls, coats and accessories. It is delicate: it fears friction and high heat, can pill, and needs gentle hand-washing and flat storage.
