Yak

According to the TKG, the hair of the Tibetan yak, especially the belly and tail hair, was classified in the second group of textile raw materials. With yak wool, however, one must first differentiate between baby yak and yak:

Baby yak is only used for the undercoat - i.e. the soft hair without awns. The wool is very similar to cashmere and can be processed in almost the same way. However, it is usually somewhat short-fibred.

In contrast, yak wool with guard hairs is very tough and itchy because the long hairs make up the bulk and can grow almost as thick as horse hair. The yak wool can be spun relatively well if you do not spin too thickly and with enough twist. A very strong and fairly tear-resistant, extremely scratchy thread is thus obtained. The thread is so scratchy because the ends of the guard hairs stick out of the thread.