Boreas Farm Cashmere | Norma Bromley | Newark, VT | 802-467-3222 | boreasfarm@gmail.com
Cashmere: Ultimate Luxury – Buy American!
I’ve been a handspinner for over 30 years and, as I got close to retirement I decided I would like a ‘few fiber animals’; the ideal being Cashmere goats ! Currently, I own 12 hardy, wonderful, intelligent, inquisitive, playful, fun, beautiful Cashmere goats.
At Boreas Farm Cashmere, my goats have been bred for fleeces that excel in fineness & style (crimp). The cold climate of Northeast Vermont also helps to produce quality fiber. The average yield of processed Cashmere fiber is 4 ounces per goat per year…… I hand comb the Cashmere fiber as it sheds naturally from each goat, requiring 3-4 combings per animal. This happens between February and May, depending on the weather and individual goat. At that same time I inoculate them, check their overall condition and trim 4 hooves/goat (48 hooves total).
After the harvest is complete, the Cashmere fiber is sent to a mill in the USA. where the fiber is cleaned, dehaired and made into Cashmere roving and yarn; some of it is blended with fine Merino wool or silk. There are presently about a dozen fiber mills in the United States that process Cashmere fiber (the dehairing procedure requires specialized equipment). Mini mills with a dehairing machine to extract the prickly guard hair are now becoming more prevalent.
Cashmere goats can be black, brown, gray, white, even spotted. My goats have black guard hair thus, appear to be black, yet grow various shades of brown (milk chocolate – dark brown) – there is no such thing (yet) as ‘natural black’ Cashmere.
Cashmere is so desirable because of its feel, warmth, and longevity. No other textile is able to imitate the softness of Cashmere. Fiber characteristics include lots of crimp, giving elasticity and memory which traps air pockets during the spinning process, creating lightweight warmth. Cashmere is 6 times warmer than wool by weight. It allows the body to breathe, keeping the natural flow of body & outside temperature comfortable providing body warmth without sweating. If cared for properly, Cashmere will last a long time because it is amazingly durable and will keep its softness and shape for years.
What should you look for in Cashmere? Touch it! Trust your hands: feel the fiber. Cashmere blended with other fine fibers is also wonderful; silk contributes luster and strength, and fine Merino wool gives ‘fluff’ without adding much weight.
Boreas Farm Cashmere offers roving and laceweight yarn in 100% Cashmere fiber and also 50% Cashmere/50% Merino wool, and 50% Cashmere/50% Silk. The roving and yarn are approximately one ounce each. Luxury handknit products of 100% Cashmere, Cashmere/Silk blend & Cashmere/Merino wool blend (scarves, headbands, hats, etc.) are also available.
*** PRICE LIST ***
Laceweight Yarn (approx. 1 oz.skein):
100% Cashmere:
Natural Light Brown $38.00
Natural White $40.00
50% Cashmere/50% Silk:
Natural Light Brown $28.00
50% Cashmere/50% Merino wool:
Natural Light Brown $24.00
Roving (approx. 1 oz.):
100% Cashmere:
Natural Light Brown $24.00
50% Cashmere/50% Silk:
Natural Light Brown $20.00
50% Cashmere/50% Merino wool:
Natural Light Brown $18.00
“Cashmere Sampler”: 1/2 Ounce Roving of Each:
• 100% Cashmere
• 50% Cashmere/50% Silk
• 50% Cashmere/50% Merino wool
$32.00
***Shipping & Insurance extra***
~ THANK YOU IN ADVANCE !!!
BOREAS FARM CASHMERE
Please contact us by email or phone for questions or to place an order.
boreasfarm@gmail.com or 802-467-3222