Craftsmanship Behind Kashmiri Pashmina - Meet the Artisans Keeping a 600-Year Legacy Alive

Pashmina is often described as a luxury - but for the people of Kashmir, it is a legacy.
A lineage. A livelihood passed down with stories, rituals and reverence.

When you hold a pashmina shawl, you are holding the work of artisans whose families have woven for generations. These artisans do not simply make a fabric - they honour a heritage older than most nations.

This article is a tribute to them.

The Spinner - Where the Magic Begins

Before weaving comes spinning.

Pashmina fibres are so fine that machines cannot handle them. Each fibre must be twisted, teased and spun by hand on a traditional wooden spindle called a yinder.

The spinner - often a woman - works patiently, turning clouds of fibre into delicate yarn as soft as breath.

This process alone can take several days.

The Weaver - Rhythm, Precision, Poetry

Once spun, the yarn goes to a master weaver.

The loom is wooden.
The rhythm is meditative.
The weave is built thread by thread.

Depending on the pattern:

• A plain pashmina shawl takes 1–2 weeks
• A woven Kani shawl takes months
• Complex designs take up to a year

The weaver’s expertise determines the softness, drape and durability of the shawl.

No machine can imitate this artistry.

The Sozni Embroiderer - A Needle Like a Paintbrush

Sozni embroidery is the crown jewel of Kashmiri craftsmanship.

This fine needlework - done entirely by hand - uses silk threads to create floral vines, paisleys and motifs that look almost painted.

A heavily embroidered Jamawar shawl can take up to 9-12 months to finish.

The artisan sits with:

• a needle
• silk threads
• extraordinary patience

The result is a masterpiece that can be worn for a lifetime.

The Rafugar - The Invisible Mender

The rafugar is a craftsman you never hear about - because his work is invisible.

If a thread loosens or a tiny gap appears during weaving, the rafugar repairs it using such delicate needlework that the fix becomes invisible to the eye.

They preserves the integrity of the fabric.

Why Artisan-Made Pashmina Matters Today

In a world of fast fashion, these artisans represent:

• slowness
• intention
• excellence
• heritage
• sustainability

Their craft is at risk - not because the world doesn’t love pashmina, but because machine-made imitations have flooded markets, pushing real artisans to the margins.

By choosing authentic pashmina, you keep a 600-year-old craft alive.

Peepal Haveli’s Artisan Commitment

At Peepal Haveli, we curate small, considered collections of shawls and stoles inspired by India’s rich textile aesthetics. Each piece is selected for its design, quality and timeless appeal, offering thoughtful gifts that feel personal and enduring.

What makes our pieces special:

• design-led styles inspired by classic Indian textile motifs

• refined finishes and elegant colour palettes

• versatile pieces designed for everyday wear and occasion dressing

• carefully curated in small batches

• chosen with gifting in mind

• a luxurious look and feel rooted in cultural inspiration

A Peepal Haveli gift tells a bigger story — one of inspiration, design and care.

The Signature Edit (Our most elevated, curated pieces) – Peepal Haveli

We believe luxury should uplift the hands that create it.

A Living Legacy

The artisans of Kashmir do not weave for fashion.
They weave for legacy.

Each shawl is a chapter.
Each motif is a memory.
Each piece is a testament to human mastery.

When you drape a pashmina around yourself, you become part of that story.