Since my arrival to the U.S., and the beginning of my business with the Orenburg knitting community, I had been curious to find similar fibers on the American continent. Sadly, these goats are only available in the private herds in the Orenburg province. Because I was involved in so many fiber-related shows, with classes and my booth, I always tried to visit the animals at the shows. Luckily at one show in Eugene, Oregon – Black Sheep Gathering – I met Carol Spencer. Carol spent half of her life trying to breed a reddish color of goats to produce red cashmere. Surprisingly, her fiber was similar to the Orenburg goats’ down fiber.

In 2006, I received approximately 3 pounds of raw fiber and sent them to one of my best knitters who specializes in warm Orenburg shawl construction. The result was excellent; I did not expect such a surprise. One year later, I received a warm Orenburg shawl and a lot of balls of yarn, handspun and plied with cotton. I decided to use this yarn for this cowl and fingerless gloves set. My dear spinner and knitter friends, if you can’t get ahold of Orenburg down, substitute the finest cashmere you can, ply it with fine cotton and this small thing will help you tolerate cold winter days.

Finished measurements
Circumference: 36 inches (91.5 cm)
Height: 10.5 inches (26.5 cm)

Materials

• 600 yards (550 m) 2-ply, 32 WPI, 1 ply of 100% cashmere, 1 ply of cotton
• Size US 3/3.24 mm circular needle
• Stitch markers, stitch holders, tapestry needle

Gauge
28 stitches and 54 rounds to 4 inches (10 cm) in main stitch pattern worked in the round