The pashmina shawl is an accessory of luxury crafted in the Vale of Kashmir. Under the trees of Chinar, the beauty is acknowledged with the breeze of Kashmir. The endless treasure of handicrafts unravels itself to profuse luxury all along the journey. Crafting a Pashmina shawl is an art that is bestowed on the people of Kashmir by a saint from the Middle east in the 13th century.

A saint, Mir Syed Ali Shah Hamdani was traveling from Central Persia to all over the world to preach the holy message. While, he was traveling to Kashmir with his 700 craftsmen, scholars, and teachers, he landed in Ladakh mear a region. He was amazed at the glance of a rare species of Goats. He was fascinated by the softness and warmth of the wool of the goat. Therefore combed out some of the wool and crafted a pair of socks. Also, the warmth and fineness made him exuberant about the wool and he gifted the socks to the ruler of Kashmir. He suggested procuring the wool and crafting it in Kashmir. His craftsmen taught Kashmiri people crafting of fine wool.

Thereby, Pashmina Craft came into existence. Indeed, Pashmina craft is an extensive process including several steps to fully craft a luxury Pashmina Shawl. Therefore, each process takes a definite time period to complete the luxury with utmost grace.

How is Cashmere procured for Pashmina Shawls?

The Changhthanghi mountain in the Ladakh region is at a high altitude. The winters are the coldest there. The temperature goes to minus 20°C. A rare breed of goats dwells in the feet of mountains. The Goats are called Changra Goats. They are also called Cashmere Goats. The goats develop thick wool on their bodies in winter to overcome the cold season. The goats are mainly raised for the production of fine wool. As, in summer, the goats shed wool to feel the air of summer. The wool is manually combed out by the herders of the Changpa tribe who raise the Goats of Changhthanghi. The soft wool is called Cashmere wool.

The cashmere wool of Ladakh is the finest. Although, there are several breeds of Cashmere producing goats. Yet, the finest is the Ladakhi Cashmere. The Ladakhi Cashmere is soft, fine wool. It is 10 to 16 microns in diameter. Also, it is the finest wool with premium purity of nature. Cashmere Wool is crafted further to make luxuriously fine accessories like the Pashmina shawl. The Art of Pashmina prevails for ages in the Valley of Kashmir.

The craft of Pashmina begins

Art of Pashmina begins as soon as the packets of Cashmere wool reach the valley of Kashmir. The tufts of Cashmere wool are cleaned, soaked, and dried to further get the premium Cashmere wool. The Cashmere wool is further moved ahead to the process of Spinning. Spinning is the meticulous process of transforming Cashmere wool into the finest cashmere yarn. Predominantly, womenfolk of the Kashmir Valley perform the meticulous process of Spinning. After the Spinning process, the fine Cashmere yarn is moved to the next extensive process called Weaving.

The Extensive process of weaving a Pashmina Shawl

The process of weaving is the intricate turning of the Cashmere yarn into the finest Cashmere fabric. The warps and wefts are sophistically woven with each other to present the meticulous Cashmere Fabric to the further process of designing. It takes up to 120 hours or 5 days to weave a Pashmina Shawl. Moreover, the weaving is mostly done by menfolk of the valley on the handlooms made of forest wood. Artisans work day and night to weave a complete Pashmina Shawl with their hands to appreciate the quality of handwoven. Also, the artisans weave by using their feet in coordination with their hands. Moreover, the meticulous harmony of aura and artisan creates the fine Cashmere fabric.

Also read: AESTHETIC PASTELS OF EMBROIDERED PASHMINA

Pashmina Shawl is a luxury crafted in Kashmir

Pashmina Shawls are further designed after the process of Weaving. Moreover, the design comprises several styles viz., Embroidery, Patterns, Embellishments, Hues, Prints, Weaving techniques, etc. All the designs are rich and intricate. In addition, the process is manually performed in Kashmir valley. The endless collection of Pashmina Shawls performs well with the beauty of artisans who have a high skill of generations.

Also read: THE SUPREME KANI WEAVE IN PASHMINA ART

Pashmina.com cherish the Pashmina Collection

We, at pashmina.com, cherish our rich collection of Pashmina Shawls crafted in Kashmir Valley. Artisans reveal the high skill of each masterpiece of our collection. Also, the richness and fineness of the Pashmina Shawls unravel the gratuities of craftsmanship. The precision in every detail is up to the mark of authenticity. The premium luxury looks your way with its high-end fashion quotient and graceful appearance. Therefore, the luxury of Pashmina awaits your presence to reveal the essence of being one-of-a-kind. Have one of the masterpieces and relive the journey of Kashmir in the Craft of Pashmina.

Also read: IN KASHMIR VALLEY, PASHMINA ART RESIDES