Cashmere how to make?

Every cashmere sweater begins its journey long before it reaches the knitting machine.

While many customers focus on the final touch, the true quality is determined by what happens behind the scenes. As a specialized knitwear manufacturer, we are taking you inside the factory to reveal the “invisible steps” that separate luxury cashmere from the rest.

Step 1: Harvesting (The Hand-Combing Difference)

It starts in the spring molting season. Unlike wool, which is sheared, we rely on traditional hand-combing.

• Why comb? Shearing collects too much coarse guard hair. Combing allows herders to selectively harvest only the soft undercoat.

• The Yield: One goat produces only about 150–200g of raw fiber per year. Every sweater represents the annual harvest of 4 to 6 goats.

Step 2: Scouring & De-hairing (The Quality Check)

This is the most critical stage. Raw cashmere contains grease, dirt, and coarse hairs that must be removed. We pass the raw fiber through advanced de-hairing machines. Using centrifugal force, we separate the fine down from the coarse guard hairs.

• The Sacrifice: This is a process of subtraction. From 1kg of raw wool, we might get only 200–300g of usable, de-haired cashmere.

• Our Standard: We aim for a residual coarse hair content of less than 0.5%, ensuring the final garment never itches.

Step 3: Dyeing & Spinning

• Top Dyeing: We typically dye the loose fiber (top dyeing) before spinning. This ensures deep, even color saturation and maintains the fiber’s natural softness.

• Woolen Spinning: To create that classic, lofty cashmere feel, we use a “woolen spinning” process. This twists the yarn loosely, trapping air bubbles inside to maximize warmth.

Step 4: Knitting & Linking

The yarn is fed into our knitting machines (Stoll/Shima Seiki).

• Dial Linking: While some factories cut corners with sewing machines, we use point-by-point dial linking. This manual process matches every single stitch at the seams.

• The Result: A perfectly flat seam that doesn’t bulk up under the arm or across the shoulder—a hallmark of high-end knitwear.

Step 5: Milling (Where the Magic Happens)

Fresh off the machine, a cashmere sweater actually feels a bit rough. The softness is unlocked during Milling (Washing). We wash the sweaters in industrial machines with precise water temperatures and organic softeners.

• The “Bloom”: The agitation causes the fibers to relax and open up, creating the signature “halo” of soft fuzz on the surface.

• The Art: It’s a delicate balance. Wash it too little, and it’s not soft. Wash it too long, and it loses its shape.

Step 6: Final QC & Steaming

Finally, every piece is steamed to set its precise measurements and inspected under lightboxes to ensure zero defects.

The Factory Verdict: There are no shortcuts in cashmere. From the initial combing to the final wash, every step adds cost but ensures value. When you invest in premium cashmere, you are paying for this rigorous process of selection and craftsmanship.