Mini-Check Motif Pure Pashmina Cashmere Stole From Nepal With Dhaka Pattern On Border

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How are Pashmina shawls made?

Pashmina shawls are a fine variant of shawls woven from Cashmere wool of the Changthangi cashmere goat. In the Kashmiri language, the word "Pashm" refers to the unspun wool of the Changthangi goat (also known as Pashmina goat), a native to the cold hills of Ladakh. Sometimes Pashmina can also be a blend of Cashmere wool and silk in a 70:30 ratio. The traditional weaving culture of Kashmir has gained popularity throughout the world and these shawls have become a fashion icon, particularly among women. Known for their soft texture, and sophisticated and opulent appearance, Pashmina shawls have positively retained their value in the International market. The local artisans of Kashmir are highly skilled and are appreciated for their artistry.

The process of making a world-class Pashmina shawl is both extensive and complex. It involves many steps that are mentioned below:

After getting the fiber, it is sent to Kashmir where the local artisans, especially the womenfolk, begin its processing.

The raw Pashmina fiber is first cleaned and all the unwanted particles attached to it are removed by hand. It is then placed in a container having fine rice powder for at least two days to bring more luster to it. The fiber is not exposed to any machinery processing for it may lose its distinctive characteristics.

When the fiber is removed from the container and cleaned thoroughly, it is now sent to skilled artisans who begin to spin it on a wooden spinning wheel which is known as “Yinder” in the local language.

There are generally three types of embroidery patterns in Pashmina; fine thread and needle embroidery is called Sozni, embroidery with thick thread and needle is called Papier Mache, and metallic thread embroidery is called Tilla. The most common motifs seen on Pashmina shawls are Buta, Lahariya, Bel, Ambi, Zanjeer, etc. Due to the extreme fragility of the Cashmere fiber, the Kashmiri artisans prefer to use their hands while processing and handling it. Manual processing results in soft and warm Pashmina shawls. Hand-spinning techniques and hand embroidery impart unique textures and patterns on them and therefore, no two Pashmina shawls will ever be the exact copy of each other. Depending upon the intricacy of the design, it may sometimes take several months or years to complete one Pashmina shawl. The hard labor that goes into the making process of these shawls makes them more appreciable and therefore pure Pashmina shawls are always more expensive than ordinary ones.