Cashmere wrap "Khet" (खेत) – Brown, 100% cashmere, hand-embroidered, handwoven

Khet — the field. This is what the cultivated land that divides the slopes into terraces is called in Nepali.

This wrap carries two colours: a bright orange and a deep chestnut brown, like ripening grain and the earth beneath it. The same embroidery in natural white runs over both — but it looks different on each side: light and bright on the orange, like frost on dark ground on the brown.

And it is dense. Unlike our other embroidered pieces, hardly any surface remains free here: branches, leaves and small flowers spread across the whole wrap, tendril beside tendril, with fine cross-stitches scattered in between. Each of these stitches is placed by hand. You could work out how many there are; it is easier to look at them.

The ground is made of the finest cashmere we carry — 14.8 microns, four twisted threads, 12 gauge, 120 grams on 205 × 70 cm (81 × 28 in).

25 to 28 days of work. A unique piece that cannot be repeated.

Material

• 100% cashmere in quality A, tested and certified by the Nepal Pashmina Industries Association (NPIA)
• Undercoat of the Chyangra goat from the high pastures of Manang and Upper Mustang
• Fibre fineness 15.3 micron; individual items 14.8 micron – the value is given in the item description
• Handwoven in Nepal

More about the making and the fibre: Cashmere wool

The key figures in the item description

Every item description gives four values. This is how to read them:

Ply – number of threads. How many single threads are twisted together into one yarn. The ground of our embroidered pieces consists of two or four threads – the value is given in the item description: dense enough to carry the embroidery, light enough for the whole year.

Gauge – thread density. The higher the number, the finer and denser the weave. The ground of the embroidered pieces is densely woven at 12 gauge so that the stitches hold securely.

Micron – fibre fineness. The diameter of the single fibre in thousandths of a millimetre. A human hair measures 50 to 100 micron depending on type; our cashmere measures 15.3 micron, the finest 14.8. The finer the fibre, the softer the fabric falls and the more threads the same area needs.

Weight. The weight of the finished piece in grams. The graphic further down shows what share of a Chyangra goat's annual wool it corresponds to.

Handwork

Every piece is made entirely by hand – the weaving as well as the fringes, pattern and embroidery. The weaving time is given in the item description: 17 to 28 days at the hand loom, depending on the construction.

Hand embroidery

The embroidery is set with the needle, stitch by stitch, without a stencil and without a machine. The embroiderer follows no template but the fabric under her hands – which is why no two pieces are alike, and most of them exist exactly once. Which area is embroidered, and in which colours, is described in the item description.

The Chyangra goat

A Nepalese Chyangra goat yields only around 150 to 200 grams of precious raw pashmina per year. After careful cleaning and removal of the coarser hairs, only a small part of it remains as usable, exceptionally fine fibre.

Natural product

As this is a pure natural product, slight variations in colour and size are possible. The incidence and type of light can also slightly affect how the colours appear.

Care

The fineness of the cashmere fibre gives this piece its soft feel, its lightness and its drape. With the right care, these properties are preserved for many years.

✓ Air it regularly rather than washing it often

Cashmere binds odours inside the fibre and releases them again when aired. It is often enough to air the piece outdoors after wearing. This keeps the fibres fresh for a long time and protects the delicate structure.

✓ Gentle hand washing recommended

For cleaning we recommend gentle hand washing in cold to lukewarm water (max. 30 °C). Use only a high-quality wool or cashmere detergent or a pH-neutral shampoo.

✓ Machine washing only on a special programme

If your care label allows it, the piece can be washed on the wool programme at a maximum of 30 °C. Use a laundry bag and a special wool detergent, and choose the lowest spin speed.

✓ Do not rub, wring or stretch

The fine cashmere fibres should only be moved gently during washing. Vigorous rubbing, twisting or pulling can impair the fabric and the softness of the fibres.

✓ Remove moisture gently

After washing, press the water out of the piece carefully without wringing it. Then roll it up in a clean towel to absorb excess moisture.

✓ Dry flat

Ease the piece back into its original shape on a flat surface and let it dry lying flat. Do not hang it up, as the weight of the water can distort the fine fabric. Do not tumble dry.

✓ Protect from heat and direct sunlight

Direct sunlight, radiators or other strong sources of heat can dry out the delicate cashmere fibres and dull the brilliance of the colours.

Storage

✓ Store with care

Always store the piece clean and completely dry. For longer storage, breathable fabric bags and natural moth protection are advisable, for example cedar wood or lavender sachets.

✓ Cashmere pilling is natural

With high-quality cashmere products, small bobbles (pilling) can occasionally form, especially in the first weeks of wear. This is a natural process and not a defect in quality. The bobbles can be removed carefully by hand or with a special cashmere comb.

✓ Professional cleaning when needed

For heavier soiling, professional cleaning by someone experienced in handling high-quality cashmere products is advisable. Always observe the care instructions on the label.