Pashmina and Cashmere are related terms explained in a definite way, The crafting of finest Cashmere procured ethically from Ladakh is Pashmina. Pashmina is a glorious example of Art while Cashmere is the finest wool in the world. There are diverse breeds of Cashmere producing goats. The several breeds viz; Australian Cashmere Goat, Liaoning, Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Hexi, Zhonghwei, Tibetan Plateau, Luliang breeds, Changthanghi, etc. Therefore, all the breeds produce the Cashmere wool that produces the warmth. The exclusive breed of goats called Changra Goats is rare species of goats that produce the finest Cashmere wool
The Art of crafting finest Cashmere from Changra Goats, Ladakh is Pashmina
Ethical Procuring of the finest Wool
The creation begins in the horizons of the Ladakh region. The Changhthanghi mountain of the Ladakh region has the coldest temperature in winter. A rare breed of Goats dwells on its feet. The goats are of the Changra breed. They are also called the Cashmere Goats. These are medium-sized goats with two twisted horns. The Changra goats develop soft thick wool on their bodies to combat the low temperature. The wool is descriptively soft in appearance and thick in volume. Moreover, the wool is shed off during the summertime by the goats themselves against rocks and trees. Manually, the wool is also combed out by the herders of the Changpa tribe. The wool is called the finest Cashmere wool.
Pashmina Craft in Kashmir
After the Cashmere wool reaches the valley of Kashmir, it undergoes the process of cleaning. The Cashmere wool is thoroughly cleaned to get the dirt, dust, and grime out. After the meticulous cleaning, the Cashmere wool goes into the journey of Spinning. The process of transforming the Cashmere wool into fine Cashmere yarn is Spinning. The process is specifically done by the womenfolk of the valley on a wooden wheel called yinder. They move the wheel in a circular motion with one hand and with another hand they elongate the wool into yarn. Thus, creating fine Cashmere yarn from the Cashmere wool.
Afterward, the Cashmere yarn is transferred to the local workshops/karkhanas for the process of weaving. Weaving is the process of precisely looming warps and wefts to create a thin and soft fabric of Cashmere. Done on the handloom made of forest wood. The handloom is worked upon by highly skilled artisans. The artisans work upon the handloom by simultaneously using their feet and hands to create the woven Cashmere fabric. Therefore, mainly by the menfolk of the valley. Thus, giving the required dimensions to craft it into a Pashmina Shawl.
Designing in Pashmina Art
The process of designing commences as soon as the faith of the finest Cashmere adorns valley. The marvelous hands of artisans whirl in the designs and sing songs of art on the finest Cashmere. The surrounding aura of the valley signifies the profound design in diverse ways. There are three main styles in Pashmina Art; Cashmere Wraps, Cashmere Scarves, and Pashmina Shawls. Also, Pashmina Art is the crafting of the finest Ladakhi Cashmere to a diverse range of accessories in distinct designs. Therefore, the beauty of designs and styles in Pashmina Art are graceful moments of finest Cashmere.
Also read: SUPREMELY CRAFTED CASHMERE WRAPS
Difference between Cashmere and Pashmina
There are evident differences between Cashmere and Pashmina. Beginning from the definition of terms. Pashmina is an example of an intricate craft while Cashmere is the type of wool. Ladakhi Cashmere is the finest of all Cashmere production around the world. The Ladakhi Goats produce the fine Cashmere wool once every year. Therefore, only around 80 to 170 gms of Ladakhi Cashmere are produced during a year. Therefore, considered the rarest. Also, other breeds of it produce several times more as there is almost 400 million Cashmere eliciting Goats all over the world. Therefore, the crafting of Ladakhi Cashmere is the Pashmina Art. Only the crafting of the finest wool is Pashmina Art. Consequently, the production caters to the manufacture of different styles like Pashmina Shawls, Cashmere Scarves, and Cashmere Wraps.
The other difference is the place of the process taking place. The finest Cashmere, procured only from Changra Goats of Changhthanghi Ladakh is rare. While as, the Pashmina Art prescribes in Kashmir. Pashmina is the token of heritage in Kashmir Valley. People of Kashmir sing the rhymes of Pashmina craft.
In addition, there is ethical procurement as well as Sustainable crafting in the whole process. Therefore, Pashmina.com is pioneering new appearances from their astonishing collection of Pashmina Shawls, Cashmere Wraps, and Cashmere Scarves. The exquisite tangling of the old tale of Craft by Pashmina.com so has come up with many new styles to perform in the melody of sounds of handlooms. Pashmina.com not only encourages the artisans for their livelihood but also confers the confetti of handwork on the Pashmina itself.