The Kashmir Knot — Handcrafted Shawls & Carpets

Est. 1991

Since
1991

Srinagar, Kashmir

Our Heritage

Rooted in the
Valley of Artisans

For over four decades, The Kashmir Knot has brought the most exquisite handcrafted textiles from the heart of the Kashmir Valley to homes across the world. Founded in 1991 by Towfiq Hussain — not a weaver himself, but a man who witnessed Kashmir's master craftsmen being exploited and underpaid — The Kashmir Knot was born as an act of advocacy. Towfiq set out to connect these artisans directly with the world, ensuring their genius was honoured and their livelihoods protected.

Every shawl that bears our name is woven on a handloom from the finest Changthangi Pashmina, sourced directly from nomadic herders in Ladakh. Every carpet is hand-knotted by artisans who begin their apprenticeship at the age of twelve, spending years mastering the intricate Persian and Mughal-inspired motifs that define Kashmiri carpet-making.

We are proud holders of the Geographical Indication (GI) certification — a testament to the authenticity and provenance of every piece we create.

34+Years of Legacy

300+Master Artisans

80+Countries Served

The Collection

Fine Silk Carpets

Each carpet is hand-knotted in pure silk at 1,500 reeds per square inch — the highest density achievable by human hands. Every piece is unique.

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TKK-001

Pure Silk · 1,500 Reeds

Pearl Ivory Medallion

Price on Request

8.3 × 11.6 ft

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TKK-002

Pure Silk · 1,500 Reeds

Crimson Garden All-Over

Price on Request

8.3 × 11.6 ft

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TKK-003

Pure Silk · 1,500 Reeds

Sky Blue Medallion Garden

Price on Request

8.3 × 11.6 ft

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TKK-004

Pure Silk · 1,500 Reeds

Ivory Silver Court Medallion

Price on Request

8 × 11 ft

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TKK-005

Pure Silk · 1,500 Reeds

Navy Teal Shah Abbasi

Price on Request

8.3 × 11.6 ft

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TKK-006

Pure Silk · 1,500 Reeds

Garden Panel Compartment

Price on Request

6 × 9 ft

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TKK-007

Pure Silk · 1,500 Reeds

Ivory Black All-Over Garden

Price on Request

8.3 × 11.6 ft

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TKK-008

Pure Silk · 1,500 Reeds

Silver Grey Palace Medallion

Price on Request

Available in: 3×5 · 4×6 · 5×7 · 6×9 · 8×11 · 9×12 · 10×13 · 12×15 ft

Masterpiece

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TKK-009

Pure Silk · 1,500 Reeds

Masterpiece Midnight Black Isfahan

Price on Request

Available in: 3×5 · 4×6 · 5×7 · 6×9 · 8×11 · 9×12 · 10×13 · 12×15 ft

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TKK-010

Pure Silk · 1,500 Reeds

Charcoal Oval Shah Abbasi

Price on Request

Available in: 3×5 · 4×6 · 5×7 · 6×9 · 8×11 · 9×12 · 10×13 · 12×15 ft

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TKK-011

Pure Silk · 1,500 Reeds

Champagne Ivory Medallion

Price on Request

Available in: 3×5 · 4×6 · 5×7 · 6×9 · 8×11 · 9×12 · 10×13 · 12×15 ft

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TKK-012

Pure Silk · 1,500 Reeds

Ivory Arabesque Scroll

Price on Request

Available in: 3×5 · 4×6 · 5×7 · 6×9 · 8×11 · 9×12 · 10×13 · 12×15 ft

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TKK-013

Pure Silk · 1,500 Reeds

Lavender Silver All-Over

Price on Request

5 × 8 ft

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TKK-014

Pure Silk · 1,500 Reeds

Seafoam Oval Medallion

Price on Request

10 × 13 ft

The Craft

A thousand hands
before yours

Every piece from The Kashmir Knot travels a long and sacred journey — from mountain pasture to the hands of our artisans, and finally to you.

Fibre Sourcing

We source only Changthangi Pashmina from the high-altitude plateaus of Ladakh, at elevations above 14,000 feet. The fine under-fleece is combed — never sheared — to preserve its integrity.

Hand Spinning

Village craftswomen spin the de-haired fibre into yarn on a traditional wooden yinder (spinning wheel). This process cannot be mechanised without compromising the thread's warmth and softness.

Natural Dyeing

Our dye masters use plant-based dyes — walnut shells, indigo, pomegranate rind, and saffron — to achieve Kashmir's iconic jewel-toned palette. The colours deepen beautifully with age.

Weaving or Knotting

On handlooms for shawls, or on vertical looms for carpets, the woven structure takes shape row by row. A single square inch of a fine carpet may contain over 900 hand-tied knots.

Embroidery & Finishing

Sozni embroidery — so delicate it is indistinguishable on both sides of the fabric — is applied by master needle-workers. Finally, the piece is washed, blocked, and inspected.

🪡

"We do not make products.
We make time — suspended in wool and silk,
knotted into something eternal."

— Towfiq Hussain, Founder

✦ Preserve Your Investment ✦

The Art of Care

A Kashmir carpet or Pashmina shawl, properly cared for, does not merely last — it becomes an heirloom. These are the time-honoured practices our craftspeople recommend.

🌀

Vacuum Gently

Use suction only — never a beater brush or rotating head. Vacuum along the pile direction, not against it. Sand and grit work deep into the knots and cause irreversible fibre damage over time.

Weekly or fortnightly

💧

Spills — Act Fast

Blot immediately with a clean white cloth — never rub. Work from the outside of the spill inward. Use cool water only. Never use chemical cleaners, detergents, or soap — they permanently alter natural dyes.

Immediately on spills

☀️

Rotate Regularly

Rotate your carpet 180° every three months. This distributes foot traffic and sunlight exposure evenly, preventing uneven fading and wear patterns. Direct UV light can fade a fine carpet within a season.

Every 3 months

🚿

Deep Cleaning

Only wet-clean by a professional experienced with hand-knotted wool and silk rugs. Never dry-clean using powder methods — residue hardens in the foundation. Never steam-clean — this causes dye bleed and shrinks fibres.

Every 2–5 years

🐾

Pet Accidents

Flush the area immediately with cold water. Elevate the soiled section over a pan and rinse until clean. A mild shampoo may be used but rinse thoroughly. Ensure the carpet is completely dry before relaying — moisture causes dry rot.

Immediate action critical

🛏️

Use a Rug Pad

Always lay your carpet on a quality rug pad on hard floors. Pads prevent slipping, reduce abrasion on the knot base, and add cushioning that dramatically extends the life of the pile.

Permanent recommendation

✓ Do

→ Vacuum with suction attachment only, along the pile
→ Blot spills immediately with a clean white cloth
→ Rotate the carpet every quarter to even out wear
→ Use a rug pad — especially on marble or wood floors
→ Ensure complete drying after any moisture contact
→ Send to a specialist rug cleaner every 2–5 years

✗ Never

✗ Use a beater brush or Dyson-type power head
✗ Apply chemical cleaners, bleach, or soap to fibres
✗ Steam-clean — causes dye bleed and fibre shrinkage
✗ Dry-clean with powder methods — leaves gritty residue
✗ Leave a wet carpet — mould and dry rot are irreversible
✗ Expose to direct sunlight for prolonged periods

Emergency Stain Reference

Red Wine
Blot, then apply cold water + small amount of white wine or club soda. Blot dry.

Candle Wax
Place brown paper over spot, press with warm iron (moving constantly). Wax transfers to paper.

Chewing Gum
Press ice until brittle and it snaps off. Use vinegar-soaked cloth to remove last traces.

Ink / Pen
Saturate with hairspray, allow to dry, then blot lightly. Repeat if needed.

🤲

Handle With Care

Always handle with clean, dry hands. Keep away from rough surfaces and sharp jewellery — even a single snag can pull the ultra-fine 16-micron fibres. Pashmina is stronger than steel by weight, but not by carelessness.

Every time you wear it

🫧

Hand Wash Only

Use cold water only — never warm or hot, which causes shrinking and felting. Add a teaspoon of mild baby shampoo or pH-neutral wool detergent. Soak for 5 minutes, swish gently. Never rub, scrub, or wring — this breaks the fine fibres permanently.

Twice a year or when needed

👗

Dry Professionally for Embroidered Pieces

Heavily embroidered shawls — Sozni, Kani work — must go to a professional dry cleaner experienced with fine Kashmir textiles. Home washing can distort the embroidery tension and cause colour bleed in complex needle work.

As needed

🌬️

Drying

After washing, press water out by rolling in a clean towel — never wring. Dry flat in the shade on a clean dry towel. Never use a tumble dryer or hang in direct sun — both distort the shape and degrade fibres irreversibly.

After every wash

🗂️

Storage

Fold loosely — never crease hard. Wrap in clean unbleached muslin (malmal) or a breathable cotton bag. Never use plastic bags, which trap moisture and invite mildew. Always wash before storing for the season — moths hunt residual skin cells and scent, not the wool itself.

Seasonal

🦋

Moth Protection

Use natural repellents only — lavender sachets or cedar blocks. Store in a clean, dry, well-ventilated space. Check stored shawls every few months. Sunning the shawl occasionally (briefly, not in harsh direct light) also deters moths naturally.

Year-round

✓ Do

→ Hand wash in cold water with mild baby shampoo
→ Dry flat in shade — never hanging
→ Store in breathable muslin or cotton bag
→ Wash before seasonal storage — moths target worn fabric
→ Use lavender or cedar for moth prevention
→ Iron at lowest setting with cotton cloth between iron and shawl

✗ Never

✗ Machine wash — destroys the fine 16-micron fibres
✗ Use warm or hot water — causes immediate shrinkage
✗ Rub, scrub, or wring — breaks fine fibres permanently
✗ Store in plastic bags — moisture and mildew will follow
✗ Tumble dry or hang in direct sunlight
✗ Steam-iron directly — use a cotton cloth barrier always

A NOTE FROM TOWFIQ HUSSAIN "A Pashmina shawl washed in cold water with a teaspoon of baby shampoo and dried flat in the shade will last three generations. It is not fragile — it simply requires respect."

Have a question about caring for your specific piece?

✦ Curator's Selection ✦

The Kashmir Knot Specials

Pieces so exceptional they transcend category — chosen personally by Towfiq Hussain from decades of curation.

The Kashmir Knot Special

TKS-005

Royal Multicolour Kani

Pure Pashmina · Kani Weave

Price on Request

Free insured shipping worldwide · Certificate of authenticity included

Pure Pashmina Collection

Fine Shawls & Wraps

Each shawl is woven or embroidered by master craftspeople in the Kashmir Valley — a tradition spanning centuries.

TKS-001

Pure Pashmina · Hand Embroidered

Golden Paisley Sozni

Price on Request

TKS-002

Pure Pashmina · Jamawar Weave

Indigo Bloom Jamawar

Price on Request

TKS-003

Pure Pashmina · Jamawar Weave

Navy Paisley Jamawar

Price on Request

TKS-004

Pure Pashmina · Kani Weave

Black Grand Paisley

Price on Request

TKS-005

Pure Pashmina · Kani Weave

Royal Multicolour Kani

Price on Request

TKS-006

Pure Pashmina · Hand Embroidered

Ivory Garden Sozni

Price on Request

TKS-007

Pure Pashmina · Plain Weave

Rose Ikat Plain

Price on Request

TKS-008

Pure Pashmina · Reversible

Charcoal Reversible

Price on Request

TKS-009

Pure Pashmina · Reversible

Natural Ivory Reversible

Price on Request

TKS-010

Pure Pashmina · Reversible

Walnut Brown Reversible

Price on Request

TKS-011

Pure Pashmina · Hand Embroidered

Chocolate Floral Sozni

Price on Request

TKS-012

Pure Pashmina · Hand Embroidered

Black Leaf Border Sozni

Price on Request

TKS-013

Pure Pashmina · Chain Stitch

Charcoal Chain Stitch

Price on Request

The Kashmir
Knot

Rooted in the
Valley of Artisans

Fine Silk Carpets

Masterpiece Midnight
Isfahan