Orissa Scarves

In Kashmir, India’s northernmost and most majestic and mountainous state, a group of women artisans are contemporizing traditional crewel embroidery that resembles crochet and dates back to the 1400s.  Textiles of all kinds – scarves, bedding, sheets, clothing – are enhanced with this hook stitch in traditional motifs and brilliant colors.  The designs are stenciled on paper before being transferred to the fabric and are then hand-embroidered.