Fiber used is called Pashmina, mostly used for making shawls and scarves. A wide range of Pashmina work is done in Kashmir, Nepal and Pakistan.
Pashmina fiber comes from a mountain goat called Changthangi or sometimes referred as Pashmina Goat. This breed of mountain goat is found in Himalaya's high altitudes only. Pashmina coming from Nepal's and Ladakh's goats is considered more finer and thinner as mountain goats from that place have adapted themselves to a much harsher and colder climate. Goats develop a warm and finer fiber when they are in colder environments.
Pashmina wool coming from goats is actually so finer that it can not be spun by machines. It is six times more finer than a human hair. They are thus best suited for making light weight but warmer apparels.
In India, a tribe called Changpa, are the traditional producers of Pashmina wool in Ladakh region. They work in a region named Changthang, which has very harsh condiotions to live with temperature dropping to -35 degree Celsius sometimes. They rear the Changthangi or Pashmina goats in these environmental conditions, living a nomadic life.
Pashmina clothes are soft, warm and light weight. Wrap, Stoles, Shawls, Scarves are the most used Pashmina products. A hand spun and woven Pashmina when embroidered by the local Kashmir artisans is worth any penny. A beautiful craft all the way from Kashmir, the heaven on earth.
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