by Sam Little
What Should A Crafter Actually Do About Cashmere?
In the last post, we dove into the role that fast fashion and high-volume retail play in global cashmere demand. In this final post, we wanted to provide some useful guidelines around cashmere consumption for the eco-conscious fiber artist.
What does this mean for me, a crafter?
Just because cashmere plays a role in land degradation doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to purge your stash, feel guilty about the cashmere you own, or swear off it forever.
Below are some guidelines to help guide more responsible cashmere usage:
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Use and cherish what you already have: the environmental cost has already occurred, so leaving it unused doesn’t really move the needle or undo damage.
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Avoid ultra-cheap, untraceable cashmere: a super low price could signal that some pressure was created at some point in the supply chain, whether through lower fiber quality, tons of volume, low herder pay, or some combo of all of those things
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Prioritize recycled and secondhand cashmere: procuring from second-hand shops like Fiber Market, or even upcycling cashmere you find in the thrift store, means using cashmere that’s already entered the value chain
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Buy traceable and / or certified virgin cashmere: If you’d like to buy virgin cashmere, buy something traceable or certified that specifically discusses rangeland management. Do not settle for vague claims or buzzwords like “ethical”, “natural”, “happy goats” without additional information substantiating those claims.
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Treat cashmere as an occasional luxury: one special cashmere sweater, worn and cared for over time, has a completely different consumption profile than buying five cheap cashmere sweaters every winter.
The case for secondhand cashmere
Before shamelessly plugging Fiber Market, we want to note that secondhand cashmere doesn’t erase the fiber’s original footprint. But there’s a strong case for keeping cashmere that’s already been produced and in circulation rather than generating demand for something new.
Extending the useful life of the fiber means getting more value from an existing resource. That’s one reason secondhand yarn can make particular sense for a scarce, resource-intensive fiber like cashmere.
And yes, this is the part where we shamelessly remind you to check Fiber Market before buying new 😉
In conclusion…
Cashmere is a luxury yarn because it is scarce and resource-intensive. If you have cashmere in your stash, use it and enjoy it.
Going forward, be intentional with your purchases. Demand detailed traceability, be skeptical of ultra-cheap and untraceable cashmere, consider secondhand or recycled options, and treat cashmere as the special fiber that it is.
As for me, I’ll be overthinking what to do with the cashmere in my stash, now that I’m a bit more informed of what all goes into its production.