Pashmina blankets embody luxury, comfort, and expert craftsmanship. These blankets have gained a reputation for being the softest and being hand-woven in a precise manner. And yet, are you curious as to how exactly a pashmina blanket is crafted? It's a century-old process that takes skill, time, and dedication.
This blog uncovers the amazing craft of creating a pashmina blanket and highlights the steps taken and considerations behind the pashmina blanket price.
The Timeless Craftsmanship Behind Pashmina Blankets
It's a highly traditional process, as artisans transfer skills from generation to generation. Each pashmina blanket is therefore handcrafted according to age-old methods that lock in its integrity and opulent texture. With each step ranging from the thoughtful selection of raw materials to final finishing, there is a rigorous process that involves attention to each detail to impart ultimate quality and warmth.
1. Sourcing the Finest Pashmina Wool
Production of a pashmina blanket starts in Ladakh, India, and Nepal's high-altitude areas, where the Changthangi goat inhabits. This unique breed of goat is responsible for yielding the best cashmere wool called pashmina. The spring molting period is when the goats shed their undercoat naturally, and this is when the wool is gathered. The strands are carefully hand-combed so that only the finest and softest strands are chosen.
2. Cleaning and Sorting the Wool
After collection, raw pashmina wool is extensively cleaned to discard dirt, oil, and strong fibers. Cleaning the wool prior to its preparation into a soft blanket is instrumental in maintaining its top quality to create the exquisite pashmina blanket. Fiber separation is accomplished by skilled artists depending on whether they are thick, short fibers or longer ones with higher tensile strength but more brittle ones with low fiber elasticity.
3. Spinning the Pashmina Threads
The sorted and cleaned pashmina fibers are subsequently spun into slender threads. The process is traditionally performed manually with the aid of a spinning wheel, or "charkha." Pashmina fibers, being exceptionally fine—measuring 12 to 16 microns in thickness—need tremendous skill to spin. Hand-spun yarns guarantee that the softness and airiness of the blanket are preserved.
4. Weaving the Pashmina Blanket
Knitting a pashmina blanket is a time-consuming process that requires accuracy and expertise. The traditional handloom technique is most frequently employed, whereby experienced craftsmen weave the spun yarns to produce elaborate designs and textures. This may take days or weeks, depending on the intricacy of the pattern.
5. Dyeing and Embellishing
Once woven, the pashmina blanket can be dyed. Natural or eco-friendly dyes are used to obtain rich vibrant colors and maintain the softness of the fabric. Additional blankets are then embellished with fine hand embroidery, enhancing their distinctiveness and beauty. The embroidery process may take weeks, as each stitch is well crafted to make the blanket even more beautiful.
6. Finishing Touches and Quality Checks
After being dyed and decorated, the pashmina blanket is strictly quality-checked. The artisans scrutinize the cloth for any defects, making sure that the weave, color, and texture are of the best quality. The blanket is washed and ironed gently to further soften it and give it a flowing drape.
Factors that Influence Pashmina Blanket Price
The pashmina blanket price depends on a number of factors, including:
- Wool Quality: The quality of the pashmina wool affects the price because higher-quality wool means a softer and more lavish blanket, obviously making it costlier.
- Handmade vs. Machine-Made: The handwoven pashmina blankets are expensive because of the labor that goes into making them, whereas the machine-made variants are inexpensive.
- Dyeing and Embroidery: The use of natural dyes and delicate hand embroidery contributes to the expense of the blanket.
- Brand and Authenticity: Genuine brands and authentically certified pashmina products fetch a higher pashmina blanket price.
- Size and Weight: Large and thick blankets take more wool and work, so they are more expensive.
Conclusion
A pashmina blanket is not merely a warm wrap but a work of art in itself. From its procurement of top-quality cashmere wool to its careful weaving and finishing, every process is instrumental in producing an item that stands for warmth, luxury, and heritage. Pashmina blanket price is determined by the craftsmanship and care poured into its production, making it a valuable possession for those with an eye for classic beauty.
For people interested in buying a genuine pashmina blanket, Angela Jey has an exquisite range of hand-made products that combine heritage with modern designs.
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