Weavers in Himalayan Kashmir have been making Pashmina shawls for centuries. Along the ancient Silk Road connecting Europe and China, it was one of the most precious of trade commodities. Pashmina threads are so fine that they have to be individually hand-spun in a traditional wheel and then meticulously dyed and woven.
REGION: Srinagar, Kashmir
YARN: Pashmina, Merino
WHAT WE LIKE: : Versatility! This fine weave can withstand the coldest of outdoor winds, but because it breathes so well, it is also perfect for the cold indoors on a summer day, or on a plane ride. The looms here have also perfected the art of blending wool with a touch of silk. This gives the textile more body and the tighter weave resists pilling. Many of our customers have told us this has become their go-to travel scarf.
150 HOURS: That is how long it takes to make a pashmina scarf. Because its so fine, the fiber cannot withstand the force of a spinning machine or a power loom - so the entire process is done by hand.
Nomadic Buddhist tribes have inhabited Himalayan Kashmir for thousands of years. The Chanthangi goat is one of the few animals that can survive the harsh winter and the mountainous terrains. In the spring, when the goats shed their precious winter hair, it is gently combed out from the neck and stomach areas. And so begins the slow process to turn the hair into precious soft gold!
Pashmina is a variety of Cashmere. Its strands are 30-50% thinner than all other forms of Cashmere and so they cannot be mass-produced. Pashmina accounts for < 0.1% of all cashmere products globally. In our opinion, it is by far is the softest form of cashmere you will touch.