By Barbara Schuetz

Yaks are majestic animals that live in cold mountainous areas above 10,000 feet.

Yaks produce two types of fiber: coarser outer hair and the very fine yak down - a luxury fiber that is still relatively unknown to the fashion world. It grows before the winter as additional protection against the cold and harsh climate in the mountains.

 

It is very smooth and soft and does not itch, comparable in softness and quality to pure cashmere or camel. It is  10-15% warmer than wool and has a better luster and provides a very high degree of insulation; it preserves heat in winter yet breathes for comfort in warmer weather. It also wicks moisture away from the body.

The fiber is very light yet extremely durable and is also non-allergenic and non-irritating as it does not contain any animal oils. And because it is also anti-microbial it will not smell.

 

Wild yaks tend to have dark hair, domestic yaks predominantly dark brown with white markings. White hair is the most precious, but only 10% of yaks grow white hair.

 

Yak down is one of our favourite yarns: luxurious and exclusive, light, soft and in the blend with 25% bamboo or 50% silk even softer and shinier.