Kashmir
About this art form
Sozni embroidery is the pinnacle of Kashmiri needlework — intricate patterns stitched with a fine needle (sozni) directly onto Pashmina or wool shawls. The designs, which can include paisleys, chinar leaves and floral arabesques, are created entirely from memory without any printed guide. A single densely embroidered shawl (Jamawar) can take a master craftsman two to three years. The craft is recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage.
The gallery
The hands
Add your perspective
Every region carries its own variant — different motifs, different techniques, different stories about why we make this. Tell us how Sozni Embroidery lives where you’re from.
