The most coveted is pashmina, made out of the wool from the under belly of the Himalayan pashmina goat, which this animal grows. The finest is shatush, a soft dreamy fabric that almost melts to the touch. A shatush can be drawn through a ring and is, therefore, called ring shawl, and though extraordinarily light, it is nevertheless amazingly warm.

Shawl is one of India’s west wool products. Amongst shawls, Kashmir holds the world title. The most complex of shawls is called jamavar, from jama, a robe and var, yardage. The woven designs are often enhanced by embroidery and one finds the main woven motifs in the background later connected by embroidery.