Hand embroidery shawls and stoles are not just blown-up accessories but also valuable gifts. Cashmere Pashmina is a luxurious fabric, and the embroidery work makes it even more precious. In this article, we will look into popular hand embroideries done on shawls and scarfs.

Types of Hand Embroidery:

1. Sozni Embroidery

Sozni embroidery is also identified as needle-point thread needlework. Pashmina is a very gentle fabric; hence this embroidery method works very well on Pashmina as it employs a fine needle. Types of Sozni Embroidery Shawls and Stoles, based on the intricacy and the concentration of work, Sozni embroidery shawls can have different names. Some of the most popular styles of Sozni embroidery shawls are:

Jamavar Embroidery Shawls - A Jamavar shawl (also known as Jama) is embellished usually with silk thread. It has condensed, rich work such that the base fabric is not at all noticeable. It takes almost 24-25 months to complete one Jamavar beautifully needle worked shawl. These masterpiece shawls can be used for marriages or as a gift for the bride. There are very few craftspeople who can create this masterpiece.

Bootidar Embroidery Shawls - Bootidar shawl has small needle worked motifs that could be floral or leaf-based motifs known as “butah" which are spread all over the base cloth. It takes almost 2-3 weeks to complete a shawl with such a bootidar task.

Hashidar Embroidery Shawls - Hashidar shawl features embellished borders that are almost 1/2 to 1 inch thick. It takes nearly take a month for the craftsperson to complete these shawls.

Dordar Embroidery Shawls or grey cashmere scarf - Dordar Embroidery Shawls have motifs needle worked on the borders in lace-like patterns. This pattern is also known as Meemdor embroidery. The needle worked border is three to four inches wide. Depending on the embroidered border's thickness, it is called either Dordar or Meemdor.

Jaalidar Embroidery Shawls - Jaalidar (also known as Jaal border) is complex needlework that looks like floral meshwork casing a full shawl or scarf. Needlework for such shawls may take up to 1-2 months to finish.

2. Aari Embroidery Shawls
Aari is a type of hand embroidery also known as Crewel Embroidery. This needlework on grey cashmere scarf is the specialty of Kashmiri artisans. They use long hooked needles to create circular loops in chain stitch. This needlework is done in elaborate, floral patterns for royal garments too.