subject: Real Pashmina Scarves and Shawls - Kind to Animals and Truly Traditional [print this page] Real Pashmina Scarves and Shawls - Kind to Animals and Truly Traditional
In today's world, more people are becoming concerned with the environment than ever. This includes compassion towards other living creatures. As a result, the products they choose are animal-friendly. They do not harm the creature in the making of it. Wool and silk are two natural fabrics. They also are less harmful than manufactured products to the environment drawing on replenishable and not finite natural resources.
Pashmina Shawls
The process of making 100% pure pashmina shawls and scarves begins with the removal of the fine hair of Kashmir goats. This is a painless process involving decreasing the undercoat ion the warm weather. This layer provides warmth during the cold months in the high mountainous ranges, but is shed naturally during the warmer months. Comparable to the rubbing actions of sheep against fence posts and walls, the goats try to remove the excess hair. Goat shearers speed up the process by combing away the layer of fur-like hair.
The traditional process uses a coarse comb rather than electric shearers. This is the method still practiced in many regions of China and Tibet. This method turn outs a larger amount of pure cashmere because it reduces the removal of the coarser outer coat. Yet, since this process must follow the seasonal shedding route, it takes longer. The owners, even if they shear, do not attempt to speed up the removal of the coat. To do so would threaten their livelihood. Nothing is done to distress or harm the goats durig this process.
While it is possible to commercially raise goats for the fibers, it is still necessary to let them live their lives in their natural, mountain environment. If they do not have the right living conditions with grassy open spaces and the right amount of cold, they would not be healthy and, certainly would not be capable of producing the right fiber for the finest cashmere and pashmina scarves and shawls.
When you shop for or even look at women's scarves and shawls, remember. The term 'pashmina' no longer strictly applies to a goat hair product. It now can embrace products consisting of plain wool, basic cotton and even acrylic. These items are not in any shape or form the same as traditional pashmina scarves and shawls. In the imitations, you will not find neither the warmth, the lightness, softness nor sumptuousness that is an integral part of the original product.
