Moonless-Night Pure Wool Stole from Srinagar with Birds and Flowers Aari Embroidery by Hand
Dry clean recommended. Store with natural cedar or neem leaves. Avoid direct sunlight and moisture.
Complete your look
Hand-picked pieces that sing gently with this one.
Behind this piece
Aari embroidery takes its name from the hooked needle, the aari, that Kashmiri craftsmen have wielded for centuries in the workshops of Srinagar and Anantnag. Worked entirely by hand onto pure wool, each motif, a curved bird in flight or a stylised garden flower, is coaxed into being through tiny, continuous chain stitches pulled from below the fabric. The tradition belongs to the male artisans of the Kashmir Valley, who inherit both the needle and its vocabulary of motifs across generations. This moonless-night ground offers those motifs their fullest drama, as ink-dark wool makes every coloured thread sing.
How to style
Drape this stole loosely over an ivory or blush Chanderi kurta-set for a winter wedding reception; the dark ground reads as evening-ready without effort. For everyday elegance, fold it lengthwise over a camel wool coat and let the embroidered border trail at the front. At a festive gathering, pin it at one shoulder over a silk saree in deep jewel tones, rust or forest green, and keep jewellery minimal: a single pair of gold jhumkas is sufficient. Kolhapuri heels or pointed khussa in tan leather ground any of these looks without competing with the embroidery.
Fabric & care
Pure wool is a living fibre and rewards patient handling. Hand-wash in cool water with a mild, pH-neutral detergent, never wringing or twisting the fabric. Press the water out gently and dry flat, away from direct sunlight, which fades both the wool ground and the dyed embroidery threads over time. Steam-iron on a low wool setting with a pressing cloth between iron and surface to protect the raised chain stitches. Store folded, not hung, wrapped in muslin or acid-free tissue, and place a natural cedar block nearby to discourage moths. Treated well, this stole endures decades.
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