Story of Scottish Cashmere
Cashmere originates in the high regions of Mongolia, Tibet and China, where tribesmen travel with herds of hundreds of goats and the high altitude and cold, harsh conditions enable these animals to grown a thick coat of soft hair. This hair is then combed out once a year and sorted into different qualities and colours for sale to yarn spinners. The highest quality hair is the longest and finest, which produces a yarn that is soft but does not pill easily when knitted. It takes the hair from three goats to yield enough raw fibre to knit one cashmere sweater - hence it's high value.
The finest cashmere garments still come from Scottish manufacturers which have a worldwide renowned reputation for expertise and quality products. Yarns are supplied from Scottish spinners using skills handed down from generations, teamed with the benefits of using soft Scottish water in the washing and dying processes. Knitwear has been produced in the Scottish Borders since the early 1900s, transforming the spun and dyed yarn into beautiful garments. Originally set up to knit underwear, these factories began to make clothing for the Paris fashion houses in the 1920s after being the tactile quality of cashmere was discovered by Couturiers such as Chanel and Patou.
By the 1950s Scottish cashmere knitwear was considered a classic with the invention of the "sweater girl" and the popularity of twinsets made famous by the film stars of the time. Today, cashmere with the "Made In Scotland" label has never lost it's desirability. It is demanded by designers and stores who appreciate true quality and skilled production and is highly prized by discerning customers throughout the world. Belinda Robertson Cashmere Couture is made in Hawick in the Scottish Borders and uses only the very finest Mongolian Cashmere which is then spun and dyed in Scotland. Because Belinda Robertson only uses long staple yarn and dense stitching (15 stitches to the inch in fact) it ensures that the cashmere wears well, doesn't pill easily and keeps its shape without twisting.
