Woollen Shawl, Dhurries and Blanket Weaving of Gujarat

The dhurries are floor coverings which is made out of wool and cotton. The warp is always cotton and the patterns are mostly consisting of horizontal stripes. The namda, another form of rug, is also made from cotton and wool and is decorated with tassels. Shawls called dhablas, which are extensively worn by Rabari men, are woven in wool. The dhablas are thick plied textiles which keep the wearer warm and secured in the desert. The weavers of Kutch also produce patchedi which is a large shawl that is tied around the waist and draped over the shoulders.

Shawls are often made from sheep and camel wool. The wool is spun into yarn and woven on the loom to make shawls and other textile such as dhurries. The yarn is coarse, thick and large at first, but after dyeing them with natural colours, they soften. The weaving in both sides of a shawl is done using extra weft. This extra coating of wool makes the shawl heavy and warm. The shawls are woven on pit looms in small width.