Cashmere in Crisis? Why the World’s Most Luxurious Wool Is Under Threat Mark Ellwood Cashmere is an unlikely candidate for controversy. It conjures up images of cozy, expensive scarves, made from the belly hair of goats roaming across the steppes of Mongolia, using techniques and skills honed over the centuries. It’s a luxe treat that has grown more accessible in recent years; see Naadam’s $75 sweater, for instance, or the rows of candy-colored pullovers in mass-market stores. Yet, though the price of a cashmere sweater might have dipped, the costs are higher than ever. Much like one of the bitter winters, known as