Pashmina is the crafting of the finest Cashmere wool. Cashmere wool is obtained from several species of Goat while the finest Cashmere is procured from the rarest breed called Changra Goats or Changhthanghi Goats. They are also called Kashmir Goats. Indeed, there are diverse breeds of Cashmere producing goats. Each breed has a specific percentage of production in the total production. 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 for the Craft of Pashmina.

Pashmina is the crafting of the finest Cashmere which is procured from a rare species of Goats called Changhthanghi Goats or Changra Goats

How is the finest Cashmere wool procured?

It all starts in the region of Ladakh. The temperature in the mountain of Changhthanghi goes to a minimum of 20°C. Nature inhibits many movements. But, a rare breed of goats called Changra Goats dwells in this harsh climate. To combat this winter, they develop thick wool on their bodies. The Changra goats are also called Kashmir Goats. They are medium-sized Goats with two twisted horns. They are mainly grazed for the production of fine Wool. The fine wool they develop in the winter season is naturally shed off against rocks, and trees by them. Moreover, the herders of the Changpa tribe also manually comb out the wool. The fine wool is called Cashmere wool. 

There are numerous breeds of goats for the production of cashmere wool. Yet, Changhthangi or Changra Goats produce the finest Cashmere wool. The Changra 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. Consequently, the production caters to the manufacture of different styles like Pashmina Shawls, Cashmere Scarves, and Cashmere Wraps.

Fine Cashmere is crafted in Kashmir Valley

The tufts of Cashmere wool are packed in small packets in Ladakh. Afterward, the procured Cashmere is transferred to the Valley of Kashmir. The tufts are wool reaches the Kashmir Valley and the first step of Pashmina Art commences. The first step of Pashmina Art is the cleaning of Cashmere wool. The tufts of wool are predominately cleaned and soaked. Afterward, the fully cleaned Cashmere wool is dried. Thus, the high quality of the Cashmere wool is preserved by doing all the processes.

The cleaned Cashmere wool is transferred to the households of Kashmir Valley. The fine Cashmere wool is worked upon by women of the Kashmir Valley. The women meticulously work upon the fine Cashmere wool through the process of Spinning. Spinning is the process of translating fine Cashmere wool into the finest cashmere yarn. The process of spinning is aided by a wooden wheel called yinder. The womenfolk of the Kashmir Valley explicitly spin the fine Cashmere wool into Cashmere yarn for the next process of Pashmina Art.

The weaving of finest Cashmere for Pashmina

Weaving is the next step in Pashmina Art. It is the process of crafting the fine yarn into premium Cashmere fabric. The highly skilled artisans work on the handlooms set up in the local workshops/ karkhanas. Also, the handlooms are mostly made of forest wood. The artisans mainly men artisans work meticulously on the fine yarn. By creating magical warps and wefts by using their hands and feet, the fabric comes into existence. The supremely premium fabric is turned into the further steps of designing.

Also read: PASHMINA - UNWRAP THE VIRTUES OF ART

Pashmina is not a Goat, the wool obtained for it is procured from a Goat

Pashmina is the craft of heritage of Kashmir Valley. From procurement till the end product, the beauty remains ethical and sustainable. Beyond the definition of the premium Craft, Pashmina is the sense of ravishing glory.

Pashmina.com is an online space that revives Pashmina Art with its most original makings. It is the platform where the Pashmina is handcrafted proving the high quality to be the main objective. Moreover, working day and night to preserve nature, is the precursor of the Pashmina by welcoming and encouraging sustainable fashion. Artisans in the sphere of Pashmina.com have managed to look upon the heritage more efficiently. thus, preserving the artisans as well as reviving the Pashmina Craft. In addition, the exquisite pashmina brings luxury over to you with the sky of fashion draped near the presence.

Also read: IS PASHMINA A BRAND?