Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

re: Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

DawnJ@2 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 23:08:22 GMT

I was wondering how well they mow the yard? It is a hot and humid day here in Kansas and your comment about the goats mowing the yard struck a nerve. Thanks! Dawn

re: Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

Bill Z — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 03:53:17 GMT

Many families in my hometown breed goats, my aunt has 300 cashmere goats. Cashmere dehairing plant buy raw cashmere materials year round and then sell to spinning factories to make yarn. We make cashmere yarns in different counts, such as 26s/2 is the most popular yarn to be used to knit 12gg cashmere sweaters, and 48s/2 for 16gg sweaters which is thinner & lighter weight for spring/summer collection. most yarns are made on cone for flat knitting machine, but we also turn cone yarns into skein/hanks for hand knitters. Many designer brands buy 100% cashmere yarn, but some other brands buy cashmere/wool, cashmere/silk, cashmere/cotton blended yarn. Therefore we make yarns in different blends as well, at least 45 colors each blends, ready made in stock service, but we make 100% cashmere over 100 colors in stock because it is always the best seller. We have over 300 colors for 2009/2010 yarn collection, you may see it from http://cashmere.ning.com/photo, we continue to add new colors each year... Bill from Inner Mongolia of China

re: Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

Carole G — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 14:52:17 GMT

I get it and suburbia constrains me not to have such luxury at my doorstep. I know a family that lives on Martha's Vineyard and their love for lambs and goats lead them to a yarn business. Knitting brings me close to the rudiments; Cashmere is my addiction and obsession. My stash runneth over. Recently my brother came to stay and commented on my transparent plastic bins as high as the ceiling of color coded yarns; most of them cashmere. I brought out the cashmere and he smiled and grinned when he felt the soft downy silkiness of the yarn. He understood. I'm lucky that I have the wherewithal and a husband that likes indulging me. Life is too short and my spare time is too fleeting not to enjoy the yarn that I'm working on.

re: Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

knutty knitter — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 01:31:49 GMT

I AM a FIBER SNOB ... cashmere, SILK, BABY ALPACA ...

I could go on ... but, you get the gist of it!

However, I, like a lot ot others ... do NOT have the bank

account (or the backyard!!!) to totally support my love

of fabulous fibers! LOL! Someday ... maybe!

re: Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

September_sky — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:34:13 GMT

It's like reconnecting with the earth, or even the creative universe. You are involved in every step of the creation of your garment. In a world where 98.5% percent of everything is not only mass produced but is handled by so many people along the way that no one feels responsible anymore, that kind of simplicity is luxurious, even if it weren't cashmere.

Besides, goats are cute. No matter how much they like you at your LYS, they aren't going to lovingly head-butt your hand just to say hello. :-)

re: Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

AnneR — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 00:09:33 GMT

Where in Canada do you live?

Anne Ross, Kamloops, British Columbia

re: Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

Aunt DeeDee — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 23:05:04 GMT

Would love to be a "snob" but can't afford such wonderful things. Your article and all the comments really brought a smile to my face. Like so many of you, I've always loved goats, so much so that even my husband slows down while driving our country roads so we can watch the cute "kids." I would love to have a few but due to health problems I wouldn't be able to care for them; just breaks my heart because we have twenty acres where they could run and play. Keep us updated on your herd because we "get it."

I agree with LailaB about so few seem to really care about being creative--so sad.

re: Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

Lababla — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 18:19:21 GMT

you're so right, not even by going as far as growing your own fiber in the backyard, but sometimes just simply knitting will get people having math in their mind. I often get the question for sewing my clothes...they don't get that it's not because of budget that people will make their own clothes...

It seems that creativity has lost the heart and mind of too many people.

re: Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

DianeD@6 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 17:04:27 GMT

I "get it" as do all knitters/spinners. Cost is NOT part of the equation in this hobby. Touch, sensation, look, luxery, tactile and satisfation are the optimum words.

Welcome to Canada - it's a great country and I know you'll meet lots of great knitters/spinners/goat herders in this country also. I do hope you keep in touch and let us readers follow your exploits. I learn a lot from this site.

I once kept a baby Billy goat (dairy) for a few weeks as he was the star in a stage production of "Tea House of the August Moon" at our local little theatre. I know, I know, in the play the goat's name is Lady Astra but we couldn't find a doe in time to start rehersals so as long as the audience didn't complain - neither did we. It was a great experience for me and my family and the audience loved the production. You see - goats are for a variety of reason - cashmere fiber being one.

Diane

re: Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

PatH — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:13:24 GMT

Even though I've never had goats, I "get it." We really don't have to justify everything, and the bottom line does not have to be financial. Goats are great! Being able to use the fleece is also great. If it works out and increases your happiness quotient, go for it. Let "them" wonder.

re: Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

Sweet Goats (Lori) — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 15:45:18 GMT

OH Liz, They look Great. I am so happy to say that Liz bought those goats from me and i see they are so very spoiled, as I new they would be.

Yes I am a cashmere SNOB and I am so proud of it.

I raise Cashmere goats outside of Colorado Springs CO. We own the Colorado State Fair Grand Champion Doe every year since 2003 except one. We also Have the Grand and Reserve Champion does from the Estes Park Wool Market.

Once you feel that beautiful Fiber you will be hooked. They are the easiest keepers of all goats, they eat all you noxious weeds that no other goat will touch AND you get a beautiful fiber off them. I ask you, What more could you want?

Mary Ellen. Zeus and Diva are Zoom Bee's Grand Kids.

As I tell everyone. Cashmere Fiber, The only Fiber fit for a KING

www.freewebs.com/sweetgoats

re: Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

AnnC@4 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:06:21 GMT

I loved your story and through the internet am learning there is much more to knitting than I ever imagined. Thanks for sharing your goats with us.

re: Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

KathleenH@2 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 13:08:27 GMT

Goats and Kids (pardon the pun) aren't an investment, they are love, love is the ultimate pay back.

re: Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

LindaC@10 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 12:19:43 GMT

I love all the comments about Cashmere and goats and assorted fluffys. What's not to love about Cashmere - except the price - but my limited experience with it - ooh la la! It cracks me up though...it never fails that my cat also loves only the Cashmere and related yarns - I will find her serenely curled up in a little heap right in the middle of the basket of the good stuff. I can't get annoyed because I think that she is related to it all somehow. Are goats and cats related?

re: Four Goats and a Hank of Cashmere

YvonneC@2 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:00:49 GMT

I'm not lucky enough to have Cashmere (or Angora) goats yet, but I have my alpacas and llamas to start.