Kashmir · The Ancient Craft
From Mountain
to Shawl
Nine hand-made stages spanning the high plateaus of Ladakh and the old weaving quarter of Srinagar. No machines. No shortcuts. Only time and mastery.
The making of pashmina is not manufacturing. It is an act of patience — nine stages, each done entirely by hand, across weeks or months of careful artisan work. From the first comb of a goat's undercoat to the final quality check, every step exists to protect the integrity of the world's finest natural fibre.
Understanding the Difference
Cashmere vs Pashmina
Indian Cashmere
Fibre diameter
~16–19 microns
Feel
Soft, resilient
Scale
Broader
Kashmir Pashmina
Fibre diameter
~12–16 microns
Feel
Ultrasoft, featherlight
Scale
Extremely limited
Nine Stages
The Process
Each stage carried out by hand, by artisan families who have known no other way.
Stage 01 of 09
Collecting
the Fibre
- Pashmina comes from the fine undercoat of the Changthangi goat, living at 14,000 ft on the Changthang plateau
- In spring, when goats naturally shed, the soft wool is gently combed by hand — never shorn
- Only the finest fibres are retained; coarser hair is set aside
Stage 02 of 09
Cleaning &
Sorting
- The raw fibre is cleaned in fresh water to remove dirt, grease, and any vegetable matter
- Sorted by hand — separating the finest strands from slightly coarser ones
- This step is crucial: only the most uniform fibres produce the softness pashmina is known for
Stage 03 of 09
Dehairing
- Fine pashmina fibres are separated from coarser guard hairs using simple hand tools
- Done slowly to preserve the integrity of every delicate strand
- This is what gives pashmina its exceptional lightness — guard hairs add weight with no warmth
Stage 04 of 09
Spinning
- Cleaned fibres are hand-spun by women artisans using the traditional charkha spinning wheel
- The fibres are twisted into gossamer-thin, remarkably strong yarn
- An art requiring years to master — pashmina fibres are among the most delicate in the world
Stage 05 of 09
Weaving
- Yarn is woven on traditional pit handlooms — a technique fundamentally unchanged for a thousand years
- Master weavers in Srinagar's old quarter create shawls, stoles, and wraps thread by thread
- A single fine pashmina shawl can take weeks to complete on the loom
Stage 06 of 09
Washing &
Softening
- The woven fabric is washed in fresh water, sometimes with mild natural cleansers
- This removes any remaining impurities and dramatically enhances softness
- Care is taken at every stage to avoid damage or shrinkage to the delicate weave
Stage 07 of 09
Dyeing
(Optional)
- Pashmina may be left in its natural undyed state, or coloured using natural or synthetic dyes
- Traditional natural dyes are made from plants, minerals, and insects — each unique in tone
- Dyeing can occur before or after weaving, depending on the design and intended pattern
Stage 08 of 09
Finishing
- The shawl is stretched, pressed, and carefully trimmed to its final dimensions
- Any hand embroidery — Sozni needle work or Kani tapestry — is added at this stage
- Final checks are conducted for uniformity of weave, evenness of surface, and craftsmanship
Stage 09 of 09
Quality
Inspection
- Artisans inspect each finished piece for fibre fineness, evenness of weave, and weight
- Softness and warmth are tested by hand — no instrument replaces experience
- Only pieces that meet the highest standard move forward. The rest are returned for correction
"When you wear real Pashmina, you are not just wearing a fabric — you are wearing Kashmir."
Crown Selections — The Pashmina Story