By Anna White mars 05, 2013

Cashmere wonderful cashmere made in Scotland

Heritage Check Cashmere Scarf

We are feeling all spring-like with the sun shining outside and the new spring colours going up online. First came the new supersoft lambswool rugs and scarves in the gorgeous new Appletreehall, Troon, Bellspool and our favourite pink Lilliesleaf. They have gone down a storm bringing a whole new colour palette to tartan and our website. Then the cashmere arrived! New tartans in the cashmere scarf range for 2013 and some fabulous new checks to go alongside. Your favourite Isle of Skye and Scotland Forever tartans work so well with the cashmere weave, giving them a textured finish that just adds to the appeal. And when the cashmere comes in and we all oooh and aaahhh over the softness and quality we are reminded how lucky we are to sell such a fabulous product and just why Cashmere made in Scotland is so special.

Yes you can pick up a cheap cashmere scarf on the high street for £20 but there is a reason that Scottish cashmere is world renowned. Buying Scottish is about buying an accessory that will last for years, not just this season. It will not pill, nor lose it's softness nor warmth, but watch out as your children will steal it. My daughter already has her eye on the Pink Check Windowpane.

So a little education in how we achieve the quality that merits the Cashmere made in ScotlandTM label. All cashmere fibre comes from the finest underhair of the Cashmere goats in Mongolia and China. This underhair is found beneath the thick exterior coat and it takes an awful lot of it just to create one scarf. One reason why cashmere is so expensive is the rarity of this fibre, not to mention the difficult conditions under which it is gathered. But there is another reason why Cashmere Made In ScotlandTM is even more precious.

It is all about the fibre. Items carrying the Cashmere Made In ScotlandTM label are made purely from yarn spun with fibres that are a minimum of 34mm in length and a maximum thickness of 16.5 micron. This is only a small fraction of the harvested raw fibre. Cheap cashmere is made using yarn spun from fibre that falls short of these specifications. This makes it weaker and results in pilling and garments tend to lose their shape quickly. So spend a little extra and you have a the guarantee of quality that means your cashmere will last and look good for a long time.

All of our cashmere accessories and garments are of course made in Scotland so you have the additional guarantee of quality, traditional manufacturing. Go on spoil yourself or give a very special Scottish gift!

For more Cashmere Inspiration try our other blogs: