The soft feel created by natural materials. Getting to know yak knitwear

This time, we're taking a look at "yak" knitwear.

When it comes to materials you want to wear during the coldest months, "wool" and "cashmere" are the most representative choices. But did you know there's a material called "yak" that rivals wool's warmth and cashmere's insulating properties? It's a type of knit that most Japanese people aren't very familiar with, but once you actually touch it, you can feel just how soft, smooth, and delicately textured it is.

Let's take a deeper look at items made from "yak" wool.

■What is a yak, an animal raised in the Himalayas?

A yak is a member of the cattle family that lives in high-altitude areas of 3,000 meters or more, such as the Himalayan mountain range.

In the Himalayas, yaks are cherished animals that serve as a source of livelihood for the Tibetan people.

Yaks that grow up in cold regions have a coat made of a combination of soft and coarse hair that allows them to withstand harsh conditions, giving them extremely high insulating properties.

According to joint research by the knitwear brand SHOKAY and the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,

yak's insulating properties are said to be 30% higher than wool, and equal to or greater than cashmere,

with breathability said to be as much as 130% higher than cashmere.

Because the material is constantly "breathing," it not only keeps you warm but also prevents heat from becoming trapped and causing dampness.

What also characterizes yak fiber is its "delicacy" and "rarity."

Since only the soft parts are combed out from the yak's overall coat,

only about 100g can be harvested from a single animal, and it's said that the higher the altitude, the higher the quality.

Yak hair has a fineness of 14 to 20 microns,

and when you consider that ordinary wool yarn is 20 microns or more, you can see just how fine it is.

Because the hair is so fine, it creates a tightly woven knit that blocks wind and retains warmth,

resulting in a gentle texture that's not prone to feeling scratchy against the skin.

This isn't unique to yak—it's true of textile products made from all kinds of materials.

Textile products are broadly divided into "woven fabric" and "knitted fabric (knits)."

Woven fabric has a structure of warp and weft threads,

while knits are created by knitting one or more threads according to a specific set of rules,

producing a variety of patterns.

As mentioned earlier, yak hair fibers are extremely fine,

so when woven into a fabric like a stole, the result is light, thin, and warm,

while as a knit, the result is soft and comfortable directly against the skin—this is what characterizes the material.

Women's Crew Neck Sweater, Gray

Wool is the classic choice when it comes to winter knit sweaters,

but people with sensitive skin may find the scratchy texture bothersome.

In this respect, since yak fibers are inherently very fine, when processed into woven or knitted fabric,

the result is a texture that feels gentle against the skin.

■The advantages of "yak" knitwear

Now let's actually take a look at knitwear items made using yak wool.

・Winter cold-weather items boasting excellent insulation

Above all, yak's greatest advantage is its warmth.

Its insulating properties are said to be 10 to 15% higher than merino wool,

and beyond sweaters, there's a wide range of winter cold-weather items available, including mufflers, stoles, and gloves.

Another major advantage is that yak hair absorbs sweat and lets it evaporate outward, making it resistant to odor.

One concern with winter knitwear is that it can't be washed or dry-cleaned casually,

but in the case of yak, the fiber itself naturally "breathes,"

which gives it the advantage of not easily picking up odors.

・A soft feel that's gentle on the skin and not prone to scratchiness

Also, because the fibers are fine and not prone to scratchiness,

they feel pleasant even against bare skin. For example, a sleeveless knit item like the one in the photo

can be worn comfortably as well.

Pair it with a bolero or light-reflecting jewelry

for an elegant look suitable for occasions like parties.

■Caring for "yak" knitwear

This time, we've introduced several items from SHOKAY,

a brand that offers a wide range of yak-based items.

For SHOKAY's yak knitwear, dry cleaning is generally recommended for care.

Alternatively, it can also be washed by hand in water, or using the hand-wash mode on a washing machine.

A detergent designed for wool is recommended, but according to the maker,

it's also fine to wash with hair shampoo and use rinse or conditioner in place of fabric softener.

There are people who've cared for and cherished their yak knitwear for 7 to 8 years,

so with proper care, it can become a beloved knit you'll want to wear for years to come.

>>>See the full list of SHOKAY items we carry