Pashmina is the crafting of the finest Cashmere procured from Changra Goats. The crafting of Pashmina involves several steps as nature exhibits a part of it in the process of crafting. The three main styles of Pashmina include Cashmere Scarves, Cashmere Wraps, and Pashmina Shawls. Moreover, there is beauty in each step of the crafting. Indeed, there are distinctly defined designs in the Craft of Pashmina. Among the defined designs, the Embroidered Pashmina is a one-of-a-kind luxury. Embroidered Pashmina is the luxury of intricacy as the hand embroideries are versatile and mesmerizing even on their own.

Further, Embroidered Pashmina is designed in several types of Embroideries including Sozni, Aari, Tilla Dozi, and Paper Mache Hand Embroideries. The sophistication of each hand embroidery is up to the mark of authenticity and high skill of artisans. Thus, it takes years to complete one intricate masterpiece of Hand embroidered Pashmina. Artisans have admired the Craft of Pashmina for ages and their skill in Hand embroidery has also been a treasure from Persia. The masterpieces are a legacy to all the artisans of the valley who have worked days and nights to craft a single luxury of Pashmina.

The procuring of the finest Cashmere

The Changthangi Mountain in the region of Ladakh is at a high altitude. At high altitudes, the temperature goes to the lowest. The winters are the harshest. A rare breed of Goats dwells in the feet of the Changthangi. They are called the Changra goats. Mainly raised for Cashmere production as well as meat production. Medium-sized, fluffy with two big twisted horns. Also, the goats develop thick wool in the season of winter to combat the cold.

Eventually, when summer arrives, the goats shed off the pelage to get air in the sunshine. Moreover, manually combed out by the herders who raised the Changra Goats. The herders are from the Chanpa tribe of Changthangi. They pack the tufts of wool in small packets and send them to the valley of Kashmir for the Pashmina Art. The wool is called the finest Cashmere wool.

Also read: WHERE IS THE BEST CASHMERE FROM?

Craft of Pashmina resonating with the Valley of Kashmir

The foremost step is the cleaning of the Cashmere wool. There is a thorough cleaning of the wool to get all sorts of dirt out. After the process of cleaning, the next step is the process of Spinning. It begins by giving the local women the Cashmere wool to spin it fine Cashmere yarn. The womenfolk of the valley mainly spin the Cashmere wool. The process is done on the wooden wheel/ charkha called yinder in the local language. Thus, the women artisans meticulously spin the Cashmere wool to the miraculously fine Cashmere yarn.

Afterward, the spun Cashmere yarn is taken to the local workshops/karkhanas to move ahead in the Pashmina Art. The next process is the weaving process. The weaving is the transformation of Cashmere yarn to the fine Cashmere fabric. The intricate warps and wefts create the beautiful woven Cashmere fabric. Therefore, the most common pattern in weave is chashm_e_bulbul or the diamond weave. The weave is exclusively the masterpiece in itself. The eloquently woven Cashmere fabric goes on to further design.

The journey of Pashmina Craft in Kashmir

Pashmina, the crafting of the finest Cashmere has a unique journey. It dates back to the 15th century in the Kashmir Valley of India. The footprints of a saint Mir Syed Ali Hamdani from the Middle East came to Kashmir with 700 craftsmen to adorn the beauty of the valley and to spread the holy message. The saint landed its appearance on Changthangi Mountain in Ladakh. While perceiving nature, he locked his eyes on the Goat of marvelous wool. Awestruck with the softness and fineness of the wool, he made socks out of it and gifted them to the Sultan Zain-ul-Abideen of Kashmir Valley. Perceiving By the beauty of Cashmere wool, suggested making an industry that cultivates Pashmina Art in desirable styles. Even the name Pashmina, derived from the Persian word, pashm, meaning "the soft gold" is exquisite in being.

Embroidered Pashmina Accessories

Embroidered Pashmina is the oldest Craft in the valley of Kashmir. Moreover, the craft has its heritage in the aura of the valley. Kashmir has been the sole region where the craft of embroidered Pashmina surpassed its height from the 16th century. Moreover, Pashmina Craft has been cherished in the valley for ages. With the growing eras, the craft gleamed in many forms and diverse styles. The artisans move their needles in the harmony of colorful threads to present the daintiness of diverse Embroideries.

It takes all the artistic greatness of skill of Kashmir's weavers, artisans, embroidered, dyers called Rangur, spinners, and designers to make the artwork of Pashmina imbibe all the intricacy and beauty. After the Rangurs dye the Cashmere base, the fine Cashmere is given to the artisans for the intricate embroidery. Also, the intricate embroidery caters to the fineness of the hands of artisans. Moreover, the light of craft cherishes the unique way of Pashmina Art.

Elegant types of embroideries get infused with the skill of artisans working hard for the revival of their resources. Also, several Hand embroideries believe in the magic of the hands of artisans viz; Sozni, Tilla Dozi, and Papier Mache. Moreover, some specific motifs and designs culminate in the folklore of the valley reviving heritage in every masterpiece of Pashmina. The designs like; Buta/ Buti, Dor dar/ Neem dar, Hashi, Jalli, Jamawar, Palla. Also, there are many motifs of flowers, nature, stories of heritage, and the most traditional Paisley.

Also read: PASHMINA ZEN: MINDFUL LIVING WITH SHAWLS

Rich Collection of Embroidered Pashmina

We, at pashmina.com serve you with a rich collection of Embroidered Pashmina accessories. The Crafting of each Pashmina accessory is up to the mark of authenticity and luxury. In addition, the finest Cashmere is created for these masterpieces of Embroidered Pashmina through the valley of Kashmir. Moreover, the richness surrounds you all together with the breezes of Kashmir whenever you wear a masterpiece of Pashmina Craft from our platform.

Also read: THE SCIENCE OF CASHMERE: UNDERSTANDING THE FIBRE AND ITS BENEFITS