The Kashmiri's produce the finest wool, taken from the Ibex mountain goats (also known as the Capra Hircus or Changtangi Goat) which lives in altitudes of 3500mtrs (15000 feet) and is known as Cashmere (taken from the old spelling of Kashmir), which is used in the production of Shawls & Stoles.
The best of this wool is known as Pashmina (taken from the Persian word for wool) where the wool is taken from the neck, underbelly & one more place of the animal that most people don’t know about…..the armpits!!
Pashmina wool is exceptionally fine and has a luxurious feel, yet is strong and very warm, making it ideal for the perfect fashion accessory that is practical too. Pashmina is also produced in other parts of the world, but the Kashmiri’s are famous for producing the very best.
It takes between 200 – 250 man hours to produce one pashmina. But this encompasses about 7 people in a chain. The shearer shears the goat, separating the quality of fibres, this is collected, cleaned then sold to the merchant, who takes it to the spinner, who combs (which cleans) the wool then spins the yarn and passes it to the loom craftsman who first separates the yarns (threads) to exact distances on the rollers, then produces the fabric on the loom to the required size. This is then taken for cleaning, then to the dyer for dying (if required), then cleaning again, and then back to the merchant for selling via the embroider if the work is to be embroidered.
Available Items
3 Sizes: Shawl = 90cm x 40cm Stole = 90cm x 30cm Scarf = 90cm x 20cm
Pashmina Wool Finest Quality (produced on Handloom)
Shawl = £199 Stole = £129
Pashmina Wool Fine Quality (Produced on Electric Loom)
Shawl = £139 Stole = £79
Pure Cashmere Wool
Shawl = £65 Stole = £39 Scarf = £14.99
Huge Variety of natural & dyed colours.