Pashmina Silk Shawls : A comprehensive Guide

What Is Pashmina



The name Pashmina comes from Pashmineh, that is derived from Urdu and Persian word ''Pashm'', which means Soft and Silk wool. The wool comes from pashmina goat, which is a special breed of goat. The goat is survived because of the nature gifted hair in the coolest weather. Pashmina shawl is made from fine cashmere fibre. The fibre is also known as pashm or pashmina, for its use in the handmade shawls of Himalayas.



History Of Pashmina Shawls



The first pashmina shawls were constructed and worn out of necessity by the Tibetan people who lived in the harsh conditions of the Himalayas. Worn for centuries, these pashmina shawls were perfected by the Tibetan people in the Kathmandu Valley. The beauty and softness of the pashmina shawls attracted buyers from across the East as well as from Europe.



Interesting Facts About Pashmina Shawls



Pashmina Silk Shawls are among the world's most demanded and fastest selling apparel accessories for women. It is made from the finest Cashmere Wool. It is combed from the underside of the Himalayan Mountain Goat, which are indigenous to the mountains of Central Asia. Here are some unknown facts about pashmina shawls:



· Pashmina wrap was the preferred woolen garment of the kings and queens and the aristocracies in the bygone era.

· The wool is used to make Pashmina shawl and wraps.

· Trading of Pashmina is banned in America.

· The word Pashmina comes from ‘Pashm’ in Persian which means soft and silk.

· The wool is woven on hand-made machine or a wheel spinner.

· It takes around a week of 10 days to spin around 10gms of spun wool.

· Pashmina is steam pressed to give it a better look and shine.

· Soap nut immersed in water is used to wash such shawls or a Pashmina wrap.

· Raw Pashmina wool strands are put in a pot after fine rice powder has coated the strands of the wool. This is done to remove the impurities from it.




How To Wear Pashmina Shawls With Style



· In cold winter nights, pashmina shawl will keep you warm as well as will give you stylish look in addition to any outfit. It can be use as a wrap around scarf for your neck, shoulders and back or as a chunkier scarf for the neck.

· For cool look, pashmina shawl can be wear around the neck and knotted over a casual jacket. In addition, you can wear pashmina shawl as a stole around your neck.

· For something completely different look, can be use pashmina shwal as a head scarf or even as a belt or sarong.



How to Wash And Care Pashmina Shawls



Once you know how to wear pashmina silk shawls and how to care for them, you can try mixing and matching with colors and styles.

· Hand-washing in cold water is the best way to keep it clean as dry cleaning could be too harsh and washing it in a machine will simply ruin it.

· Rinse with hair conditioner to make the pashmina shawl softer.

· Squeeze the pashmina shawl delicately to remove excess water. Be careful not to crush the fabric, which may cause it to stretch.

· Lay the shawl flat to dry. Keep it away from direct sunlight and sources of heat.

· When dry, use a cool iron to press the fabric. You may want to put a damp cloth between the fabric and the iron.



Did You Know?



· Pashmina goat is also known as Changthangi.

· Pashmina shawls are hand spun, woven and embroidered in Kashmir.

· The entire pashmina shawl can pass through a finger ring.

· High quality pashmina shawls are made from the hairs of the wild mountain goats, which are found only in Asia.

· Pashmina goats are lived at the mountain at a height of more than 14,000 feet above the sea level.

· Pasmina wool is known to be extremely warm and soft to touch.
Pashmina fiber is 15 to 19 microns in diameter where as a human hair is 75 microns in diameter.

· One Himalayan goat produces 3 to 8 ounces of Pashmina per year.