Garnet Hill Fiber Guide

Smooth, shimmering silk is an animal fiber spun by the silkworm while it constructs its cocoon. It has been said that a fiber of silk is stronger than a fiber of steel. Silk is temperature regulating; it keeps wearers warm in winter and cool in summer by transporting moisture away from the body. It's also a favorite of allergy sufferers.

At Garnet Hill, silk makes seasonal appearances in blouses, skirts, comforters, even rugs.

A superior variety of cotton named after the Pima tribe of Native Americans, pima cotton is grown primarily in Peru and the southwestern U.S. Pima has a smooth, extra-long staple that imparts a silky quality to its yarn. You'll find it in many Garnet Hill tops for women and girls, and in several of our bedding styles.

TENCEL^™ lyocell is one of the most eco-friendly fibers on the market, made from wood pulp of eucalyptus trees that are grown without harmful substances. The fibers are harvested from responsibly managed, renewable forests; a closed-loop production process requires less water and less energy, with minimal impact on the environment. TENCEL^™ fibers provide a touch of luster and superlative softness and drape.

The oldest fiber known to man, linen dates to the Stone Age, and was once in such widespread use that it became the generic term for many household items. It has since become more exclusive — a luxurious yet still functional textile.

Garnet Hill linen is made with high-quality, extra-long fibers of flax grown in France. Our exclusive spinning method creates linen with superior luster and texture; it gets softer with every wash. Naturally antibacterial and the most breathable of fabrics, linen has strength twice that of cotton — and becomes even stronger when wet, for lasting style and cool comfort.

The most breathable of all natural fabrics, linen is also naturally resistant to the sun's harmful rays, and twice as strong as cotton. It manages moisture efficiently, and is inherently antibacterial.

Garnet Hill organic linen is woven from the extra-long fibers of certified-organic French flax. The coastal climate and well-drained soil of the Normandy region where it is grown yield what is considered to be the finest-quality fiber of its kind.

Fanned out across a field and turned periodically for four weeks, it is prepared it for spinning. Our exclusive spinning method creates a softer linen that gets softer still with every wash.

Garnet Hill has been designing products in Green Cotton since 1994. The Green Cotton organization practices environmentally friendly methods at every step of production. Carefully picked by hand, their cotton is exceptionally clean, and harvested without the use of chemical defoliants.

Throughout the dyeing and finishing process, pollution is minimized in the environment and workplace with sophisticated purification and monitoring systems. The award-winning result is outstanding fabric that feels as good as it looks.

Organic cotton is grown in fields certified as not treated with harmful pesticides or chemical defoliants for at least three years. It is grown from seeds not treated with herbicides or fungicides, and not genetically modified.

By farming cotton organically, the harmful impact of pesticides to the land, workers, and waterways is eliminated.

You will find organic cotton in an ever-expanding selection of Garnet Hill designs; the majority of our cotton clothing is organic, and much of our cotton bedding is organic too. We continue to strive for all-organic-cotton home and apparel collections.

Garnet Hill cashmere is made from the fine, downy undercoat of Kashmir goats. We create long-term relationships with the herdsmen who raise them on multi-generational family farms in Inner Mongolia, where changeable weather has evolved goats with longer, loftier, softer fibers.

Clipped but once a year in spring, these purebreds are treated like pets; never crossbred for higher yields, as some farms do. This produces the highest-quality fibers, which are then washed, carded, and spun into sumptuous two-ply yarns twisted to resist pilling without compromising strength.

To achieve our vibrant colors, we use only Oeko-Tex^®-certified eco-friendly dyes, which require fewer chemicals, less water, and less energy.

Our Eco-Cashmere is made from the natural white, beige, and brown fibers. Undyed and unbleached, they are processed with even less water, and zero chemicals.

Wool is fleece sheared from sheep. Beyond its famous warmth, it is extremely durable; many wool products last for generations.

Merino wool is produced from the fleece of Merino sheep. Beyond warmth, it's noted for softness, fineness, strength, and elasticity. We choose it for a variety of Garnet Hill sweaters.

Our Eco Merino Wool is crafted from the extra-fine, pure merino wool fleece of sheep that graze the expansive grasslands of Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Completely renewable and naturally biodegradable, our Eco Merino Wool is a product of fresh air, sunshine, grass, and water. Premium fleece is lovingly harvested by generations of herders who cherish their flocks and conserve the pastures on which they graze for future generations.

The wool fabric is naturally biodegradable. No toxic chemicals were used or produced in its creation.

A natural fiber that is softer than silk and warmer than wool.

The alpaca is a domesticated cousin of the camel that grazes freely in the Peruvian Andes highlands, which helps to preserve the open land. To withstand high altitudes and extreme temperature differences, alpacas grow thick coats of fleece, producing four to seven pounds of fleece every two years. Alpaca fibers are hollow; air inside these hollow fibers insulates against cold in winter and heat in summer.

Alpaca fibers are favored for holding color, and for an inherent luster that does not dull when dyed. Alpaca is easy to clean, does not pill, and will not create static charge. Plus it is hypoallergenic, making it a great alternative for anyone who is allergic to wool.

Supima is a trademarked name used to describe long-staple, American-grown pima cotton. The word Supima is an abbreviation for "superior pima."

Used chiefly in our ultra-plush, spa-inspired towels and sheets, Egyptian cotton is grown in the nutrient-rich soil of the Nile River Valley. It's classified as an extra-long-staple cotton. Egyptian cotton offers superior absorbency, strength, and luster.

Down is not actually a fiber, but soft, fluffy plumage that grows under the feathers of ducks, geese, and other water fowl. This natural insulation warms the birds in cold climates, then helps keep them cool as they migrate south.

Garnet Hill Down comforters, pillows, and outerwear provide great warmth and comfort with very little weight.