Handwork

Hand embroidery is done stitch by stitch by an artisan — using a needle, thread, and no automation. Each piece takes hours or days to complete. The result is slightly irregular in the best way — no two pieces are identical. Machine embroidery replicates patterns digitally and is much faster. It produces uniform, identical results but lacks the depth, texture, and craft value of handwork. All shawls in this collection are hand embroidered.

Kashmiri hand embroidery typically uses two techniques. Sozni embroidery is done with a fine needle on the reverse side of the fabric, creating delicate, hair-thin patterns visible on the front. Aari embroidery uses a small hooked needle to pull thread through the fabric from above, creating raised floral or paisley patterns. Both are slow, precise forms of needlework done entirely by hand. Our collection features both Aari and general hand embroidery styles.

A faux Pashmina shawl is made from a soft wool that mimics the texture and drape of genuine Pashmina. It is lighter and silkier than a standard wool shawl. It does not use Shahtoosh or Cashmere goat fibre — it achieves a similar softness through australian merino wool. Faux Pashmina shawls are a more accessible alternative to genuine Pashmina. They are ideal for those who want the soft Pashmina feel without the premium price.

It depends on the design. A simple border embroidery on a wool shawl may take one to three days of sustained needlework. A dense all-over floral pattern — such as the Jamawar jaal designs in this collection — can take a week or more. Aari embroidery with tight, raised motifs across the full shawl body is one of the most time-intensive styles. This time investment is reflected in the quality and pricing of these pieces.

For a wedding gift, choose a pure wool hand embroidered shawl with all-over or dense border embroidery. The pieces priced between ₹2,499 and ₹3,899 offer the best balance of quality and presentation. Classic colour choices — ivory, beige, deep maroon, and black with gold embroidery — are the most versatile. For gifting a man, the men's hand embroidered pure wool shawl at ₹1,999–₹4,800 is the strongest choice in this collection.

Dry cleaning is strongly recommended for all hand embroidered wool shawls. The hand embroidery threads — silk or wool — can loosen, distort, or bleed colour if washed roughly. If hand washing is necessary, use cold water and very mild detergent. Do not scrub embroidered areas. Press gently between two clean towels and lay flat in shade to dry. Store folded in a muslin cloth bag. Add a cedar block or neem leaves to protect against moths.