How is Kani Shawl Made
Kani shawl is made from pashmina on a handloom. But instead of a shuttle used in regular pashmina shawls, Kani shawls use needles made from cane or wood.The distinguishable, Mughal patterns, usually of flowers and leaves, are woven into the fabric like a carpet, thread by thread, based on the coded pattern called 'Talim'. The talim guides the weaver in number of warp threads to be covered in a particular colored-weft.
Families who are in weaving Kani Shawls usually work patiently, working between 5 and 7 hours a day, in between attending to their household chores. Depending on the intricacy and complexity of the design being woven, an artisan can weave a maximum of one inch per day. Depending on the design, size and detailing, a Kani Shawl may take anything between 6 and 18 months to be completed.
Only the trained craftsmen are knowledgeable enough to weave Kani Shawls the right way. The techniques and knowledge have been transferring from forefathers to next generations.
