PROTECTING YOUR PASHMINAS: INSTRUCTIONS FOR WASH AND CARE
The warm and familiar snuggle of a pure Kashmiri Pashmina is too well known among its lovers. The Indian shawl has a delicate texture that comes from fine wool yarn and natural colors used in its make, which demands special and careful upkeep. We are here with a collection of tried and tested, expert-approved ways with which maintaining and washing your favorite Pashmina will be as smooth as its touch against your skin.
WASHING A PASHMINA
STORING A PASHMINA
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:
The making process of Pashmina shawls starts by selecting the finest hair of the Changthangi goats. Buddhist nomadic herders rear these goats and collect the soft hair by carefully combing them. They are not sheared because there is a high probability of breakage of the delicate fiber. Maintaining and preserving its natural beauty and strength is essential during the process.
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.
The spinning wheel does wonders by transforming the thick fiber into fine threads. These yarns are then handed over to handloom workers who transform them into a solid fabric.
This is now the time to carry out the embroidery work on the fabric to turn it into luxurious Pashmina shawls.
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.
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