making of pashmina
 
 
MANUFACTURING PROCESS

WOOL
Pashmina wool is the gossamer-like inner layer, sheared from the Himalayan Mountain goat ( the Capra Circus ) raised by semi - nomadic herders. Each goat yields about 3 to 8 inches of fiber per year. The severe and inhospitable climate of the upper Himalayan reaches provides ideal environs for Pashmina growth.
   
SPINNING  
spinning

The fiber is collected every spring and is essentially spun by hand. Hand spinning is an extremely painstaking process done by women possessing immense patience, dexterity and dedication. The spinning scene is a feast for the eyes.

 
WEAVING  
weaving process
Pashmina yarn is too fragile for the vibration caused by power looms, the weaving of the traditional 100% Pashmina shawls are therefore done on Handlooms. It is essential for the weaver to have a uniform hand, for par excellence fabric.

The chic Pashmina – Silk Blend shawls are woven on either Power Looms or Handlooms. Weaving here is done with a shuttle carrying the soft Pashmina yarn through the fine yet strong silk warp.

The weaving process is in itself an art, which has been passed down over generations, to give you the fabulous shawls, which we offer.
 
FRINGES
The making of the distinctive Pashmina  fringe is perhaps one of the most interesting stages of shawl making. The characteristic fringes of the Pashmina shawl are made by the nimble fingers of women. It takes hours to fringe each Pashmina shawl.
 
DYEING
Dyeing is also done by hand, and each piece individually. Dyers with immense patience and generations of experience are the ones who dye the Pashmina shawls, as even the smallest negligence reflects on the quality of the product. Only metal and azo free dyes are used, making the shawls completely eco-friendly. The pure water used for dying is pumped up from deep beneath the surface. Dyeing is done at a temperature just below boiling point for nearly an hour. Pashmina wool is exceptionally absorbent, and dyes easily and deeply.
E-mail : taie@hathway.com