Beautiful embroidery from the state of Mountains-- Kasmiri / Kashida

          

                                          Kashmiri embroidery or kashida is colorful and beautiful as Kashmir itself. Embroiders often draw inspiration from the beautiful nature around. The colors the motifs of flowers, creepers and chinar leaves, mango etc. are the most common ones. The whole pattern is created using one or two embroidery stitch styles

                                The Kashmiri embroidery commonly known with its traditional name Kashida Embroidery is famous for its sheer beauty and has in perfection attained the limits of fantasy and incredulityThe novel ness of Kashmiri embroidery is that the whole pattern is created using one or two embroidery stitch styles. The base cloth which is used in Kashmiri embroidery is usually cotton or wool.. Patterns and colour schemes are magnificently employed in Kashmiri Embroidery by the crafts-man with a mood aligned to the spirit of nature. And the colors which are used in Kashmiri embroidery are of lighter shades. Special care is taken to ensure that the color shades blend into the background. One of the most famous patterns which are followed in Kashmiri embroidery is of single stitch; famous names of styles of Kashmiri embroidery are Sozni embroidery, papier-mache embroidery, and Ari or hook embroidery. The second pattern which is followed in Kashmiri embroidery is of Chain stitch.. A hook is used instead of a needle because it covers more area than a needle and wool, cotton or silk thread is used. Embroidery is done on a piece of plain white cloth and small stitches are used to create figures and motifs in bright colors.The designs and motifs employed are Notus, ghobi, chinar leaf, natural depicting flowers and leaf, birds, Blossoms and Trees.

                        Shawls from Kashmir are popular because of the embroidery done on them. The craftsmen of Kashmir, to beautify shawls use different stitches. Sozni or fine needlework is generally done on the side of the shawls. The value of the shawl is determined by the amount and quality of the embroidery. The traditional Kashmiri dress; Phiran is also endowed with rich embroidery. The finest embroidery from Kashmir can be found on Pashmina shawls. Sometimes the entire surface of these shawls is covered with fine embroidery.