Unique in design and technique, wool shawls are popular worldwide because of its exquisite embroidery. The Indians wear it as a shoulder mantle with its fineness of material indicating status. Famous for their traditional patterns and quality, the fineness of the workmanship and the amount of embroidery determines the value of the shawl. Punjab has developed as a major shawl weaving centre and excellent quality wool is brought here from all across India.

Fibers
Crafted out of natural and artificial wool, the woolen shawls are essentially suitable for the winter season. Different varieties of wool are used to offer varied degrees of warmth and comfort to wearer. Generally, the yarn used are merino wool, angora wool, pashmina wool, local sheep wool or a combination of any of these. Wool woven in Kashmir is raffel and is 100% pure. Shawls are also made by hand spun and hand woven wool of different weaves and textures, and dyed in different shades which were transformed into beautiful, multi-coloured shawls.

Design & Motifs
Generally done in a panel along the sides, many kinds of embroidery are worked on wool shawls. Motifs, usually abstract designs or stylized paisleys and flowers are worked in one or two, occasionally three colors, all subdued. Embroidery is done either in broad panels or either side of the breadth or covering the entire surface of a shawl. Phulkari, which means flower work and Bandhini shawls having vibrant colors are extremely popular among buyers. Often wool shawls are decorated with embroidery, mainly chain stitch and with mirror work for a richer and prettier look.