Shawls and Weaves of Himachal Pradesh

The wool for the Kullu shawls is locally sourced from sheep and goat – the byangi and deshkar, the pashmina wool is sourced from Tibet, while Merino wool is sourced in Ludhiana, Punjab. Weaving and spinning of shawls and other wool lengths is a critical part of the home and small scale industry of Himachal in the individual grey, off-white, fawn or brown shades of natural wools. With the chequered styles and lined styles of shawls also popular. While the most well known product woven is the Kullu shawl with its distinct weft-faced tapestry borders in multi-coloured geometrical forms and its combed twill-weave body. The shawls worn by the women are called pattu and those used by the men are called chandru. Tweeds and other woven lengths is also an important product. While blankets – dhoru and Loi, mufflers, borders, caps are also produced.