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Could yak wool be the new cashmere?

Updated 9:32 AM ET, Sun March 4, 2018

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Nancy Johnston came across the Khangai yak when she was holidaying in Mongolia. She formulated a plan to use the yak to help preserve Mongolia's landscape.<br />
Photos: Could yak wool be the new cashmere?
Nancy Johnston came across the Khangai yak when she was holidaying in Mongolia. She formulated a plan to use the yak to help preserve Mongolia's landscape.
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Mongolia is a leading supplier of cashmere, which is made from goat hair. But goats' destructive grazing habits are damaging the country's land. Johnston's idea was to switch the production of cashmere into yak wool.<br />
Photos: Could yak wool be the new cashmere?
Mongolia is a leading supplier of cashmere, which is made from goat hair. But goats' destructive grazing habits are damaging the country's land. Johnston's idea was to switch the production of cashmere into yak wool.
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Johnston has been helping herders switch to producing yak wool, and using their yak wool for her high-end British knitwear label Tengri. She says yak wool is soft and warm, and that the animal is less damaging to the environment.
Photos: Could yak wool be the new cashmere?
Johnston has been helping herders switch to producing yak wool, and using their yak wool for her high-end British knitwear label Tengri. She says yak wool is soft and warm, and that the animal is less damaging to the environment.
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Each year, yaks produce a soft, fine undercoat -- or down hair -- during the winter.
Photos: Could yak wool be the new cashmere?
Undercoat – Each year, yaks produce a soft, fine undercoat -- or down hair -- during the winter.
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Mongolian herders harvest the fine undercoats of the yaks in the spring by combing the animals.
Photos: Could yak wool be the new cashmere?
Harvesting – Mongolian herders harvest the fine undercoats of the yaks in the spring by combing the animals.
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They then separate the down hair from the outer hair.
Photos: Could yak wool be the new cashmere?
Separating – They then separate the down hair from the outer hair.
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It's then sent to factories to perform a scouring and de-hairing process and further remove any coarse residue hair. The fiber is then spun and twisted into fine yarn, ready to be made into clothing such as coats, sweaters, scarves or socks.<br />
Photos: Could yak wool be the new cashmere?
Mongolia to factories – It's then sent to factories to perform a scouring and de-hairing process and further remove any coarse residue hair. The fiber is then spun and twisted into fine yarn, ready to be made into clothing such as coats, sweaters, scarves or socks.
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Savile Row tailor Huntsman is one of the high-end retailers that have teamed up with Tengri. <br />
Photos: Could yak wool be the new cashmere?
Bespoke pieces – Savile Row tailor Huntsman is one of the high-end retailers that have teamed up with Tengri.
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