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Overview
 Handicrafts of Jammu and Kashmir are renowned all over the world for the intricacy of work. These handicrafts are a part of their culture that has been nurtured for centuries when the different types of communities flocked the valley. Handicrafts of Jammu and Kashmir would include woolen textiles, embroidered suits, Pashmina shawls, Kashmir silk sarees, wood carving, papier mache, hand knotted carpets and much more.
Carpets are the most famous Handicrafts of Jammu and Kashmir. These carpets are unique and hand made, knotted rather than being tufted. The carpets are made of wool or silk with cotton or silk base. Usually the silk yarns are used to highlight the central motifs. Namdas are the less expensive, manually pressed colorful coverings for the floor made from cotton or woolen fibre. Embroidery in chain stitch is done on these rugs.
Papier mache is another popular form of Handicrafts of Jammu and Kashmir. Cheaper versions of wood and cardboard are also available. Gold is used for creating the motifs on the objects made of Papier mache. Better the quality of gold more the coat of the object. Kashmiri shawls are made of Shahtoosh, Pashmina or wool.
The different types of embroidery done on the shawls are needlework or 'sozni', papier mache, and hok embroidery or 'ari' work. Phiran is the traditional garment of the men and women of Kashmir. Phirans for men are made of coarse wool or tweed while those of women are made of raffle with embroidery around the collars edges and cuffs.
Basketry is another popular form of handicrafts in Jammu and Kashmir. The baskets are made of willow rushes that grow in abundance in the lakes and marshes. Walnut wood trees grow only in Jammu and Kashmir in India. This wood is used to make intricately carved out piece of furniture.
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