KASHMIR is a beautiful state in northern India. Known for its natural beauty, it also has a distinct embroidery of its own.

Kashmir embroidery and shawls are well known for the beauty of colour, texture and design. The wool emroidery of Kashmir is universally famous. It is essentially a commercial craft.

Colours are:- white - sufed, green - zingari, purple- uda, blue- ferozi, yellow- zard, black- mushki, crimson- gulmor, scarlet- kirmiz.

(the kashmiri names of the colors are given next to the name of the color in english)

Motifs :- are mostly taken from nature. Animal and human figures are usually not seen due to Muslim influence. The bird motifs used are parrot, canary, magpie, woodpecker and kingfisher. Floral motifs used are iris, lotus, lily, tulip and saffron flower. Other designs are grapes, plums, apple blossoms, almonds and cherries. The Chinar leaf is an important motif. Butterfly designs are also found.

Fabrics :- used are silk, wool, cotton, and threads used are wool, silk and art silk.

Stitches used are : satin stitch, chain stitch, long and short. Occasionally herringbone, darning stitch is also used.

Other stitches used are known as

1) vata chickan- button hole

2) doria- open work

3) talaibar- gold work,

4) zalakdozi- chain stitch and

5) rafooqani or darning stitch