How do I care for my shawl?

Hand-washing and dry cleaning are the most common ways to care for and clean shawls. Many of our alpaca shawls specifically indicate dry-cleaning or hand-washing with cold water. Because shawls are delicate, a garment bag is a good way to prevent damage. Avoid direct sunlight and high heat. As always, it is important to follow the care instructions specific to the fabric of your shawl.

The great thing about shawls is that they are versatile. One can find a shawl for every season. Warmth is often based on the tightness of the weave and the type of material used. Alpaca fiber is known for its thermal capacity and provides an optimal degree of warmth. Sheep wool also acts as an insulator, absorbing moisture and creating a feeling of coziness for the wearer. Shawls made of cashmere and pashmina are light and thin, yet still provide a high degree of warmth. In Mexico, shawls made from San Juan Chamula sheep keep one warm and comfortable.

What shawls are most comfortable?

Comfort is always a question of preference, but certain fabrics lend themselves to softness and warmth. Shawls from the Andes are made from super soft alpaca fibers, and provide wearers a high level of comfort. Similarly, in Thailand and Bali, silk shawls are always favorites. Depending on ones climate, particular shawls may be preferable. Central American shawls made from cotton and rayon keep wearers cool in warm climates, whereas bamboo and acrylic shawls are great for cold weather. During hot summers, Indian shawls made of modal, silk, and viscose are a perfect option, and merino wool and cashmere are ideal for winter. West Africa stands by the luxurious comfort of their 100% cotton shawls, and Mexico prioritizes comfort with their beautiful wool designs.

Are your shawls handmade?

It depends on what you mean by handmade. We support artisans who work in the ancient traditions of their ancestors, crafting items by hand, with patience and love. But techniques vary among shawl makers. Embroidery, hand-painting, stitching, and sewing are often part of the process. Some artisans do use power looms when crafting their shawls, but even in those instances, there is no mega-factory or mass production line behind the garment. The beauty, creativity, and inspiration for each shawl comes from the artists own heart. Our product descriptions will always specify if an item is hand-woven, hand-knit, or otherwise.

Are there any common motifs or designs used in traditional shawls?

The shawl comes to us full of history, culture, and heritage. Each region invests its shawls with different symbols, patterns, and designs. Some shawls, like those in West Africa and the Andes, feature linear and geometric shapes, clean lines and patterns that have been passed down through the centuries. In Bali, we find elaborate batik designs, a technique that makes use of alternating dye and wax to block color. In Central America, embroidered and woven shawls incorporate designs inspired by corn, butterflies, and birds. Floral patterns are very popular in Indian shawls, particularly in pashminas from Kashmir. Gujarati shawls often depict geometric shapes, and artisans increasingly incorporate contemporary designs through hand-painted fabric. Thailand also integrates floral patterning, often using the yok dok technique, a brocade style that leaves the fabric slightly raised. This emphasis on brocade is also evident in Mexican shawls, with lavish designs in the form of frets, flowers and geometric figures, all inspired by pre-Hispanic cultures.

What materials are used to make shawls?

Fibers, dyes, and fabrics come together in innovative, unique ways during the creation of a shawl. Different regions rely on resources that are readily available and have cultural significance. In West Africa, 100% cotton and rayon frequently make their appearances in shawls. In Bali and Thailand, soft silk lends a luxuriousness to the shawl. Central American artisans incorporate bamboo rayon, while India makes use of wool and silk. Mexico boasts an array of vibrant natural and cotton yarn dyes, and artisans from the Andes weave shawls out of soft alpaca fiber.

What are the most popular methods for making traditional shawls?

Throughout the world, the shawl is considered a venerated garment, made by hand from techniques passed down through generations. The methods for making traditional shawls vary as widely as the regions from which they come. But most employ some method of hand knitting or weaving on a loom. In the Andes, for example, crocheting and flat weaving on a treadle loom are common techniques. In Central America, backstrap and foot looms are popular with artisans. In Bali, one finds intricate sewing, in addition to weaving. And in India and Thailand, practices of hand-painting fabric, batik, and the use of natural dyes are intimately tied to the creation of shawls.

Women's Hand Knit Accessories at NOVICA

100% baby alpaca hat, 'Highland Lake' - Hand Knit 100% Baby Alpaca Hat in Blue Shades from Peru

Bestseller

Highland Lake, Hand Knit 100% Baby Alpaca Hat in Blue Shades from Peru

Maritza Pacori

(94)

$34.99 Wholesale

$34.99

Diamond Elegance in Alabaster, Diamond Pattern 100% Alpaca Knit Hat in Alabaster from Peru

Maritza Pacori

(94)

$47.99 Wholesale

$47.99

100% baby alpaca knit hat, 'Llama Trails' - 100% Baby Alpaca Knit Chullo Hat

Bestseller

Llama Trails, 100% Baby Alpaca Knit Chullo Hat

Hilando Victoria

(2)

$69.99 Wholesale

$69.99

Nepal, Fleece-Lined Knit Wool Fingerless Mitts

NOVICA & National Geographic Travel Collection

(870)

$39.95 Wholesale

$39.95

100% alpaca reversible hat, 'Shadows at Dusk' - Reversible Grey and Black 100% Alpaca Hat Knitted by Hand

Bestseller

Shadows at Dusk, Reversible Grey and Black 100% Alpaca Hat Knitted by Hand

Maritza Pacori

(94)

$64.99 Wholesale

$64.99

100% alpaca hat,'Black Braid Cascade' - 100% alpaca hat

Bestseller

Black Braid Cascade, 100% alpaca hat

Alfredo Falcon

(1104)

$44.99 Wholesale

$44.99

Gray Duality, Knit Gray & Ivory Unisex Baby Alpaca Blend Scarf from Peru

Raquel and Gregor

(169)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99

Crimson Smoke, Crimson and Smoke 100% Alpaca Gloves from Peru

Maritza Pacori

(94)

$59.99 Wholesale

$59.99

100% baby alpaca hat, 'Highland Jungle' - Hand Knit 100% Baby Alpaca Hat in Green Shades from Peru

Bestseller

Highland Jungle, Hand Knit 100% Baby Alpaca Hat in Green Shades from Peru

Maritza Pacori

(94)

$29.95 Wholesale

$29.95

Charcoal Grey Leaves, Andean Alpaca Wool Hand Knitted Beret in Charcoal Grey

Maritza Pacori

(94)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99

100% alpaca hat, 'Mountain Path' - Unique Womens Alpaca Wool Solid Knit Hat

Tan Mountain Path, Unique Womens Alpaca Wool Solid Knit Hat

Alfredo Falcon

(1104)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

Dark Leaves, Hand Knit Black 100% Alpaca Beret from Peru

Maritza Pacori

(94)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99

Andean Loops, Peruvian Cable Knit Ivory 100% Alpaca Hat with a Pompon

Idelsa Guevara

(18)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

Taupe Duality, Knit Brown & Ivory Unisex Baby Alpaca Blend Scarf from Peru

Raquel and Gregor

(169)

$57.99 Wholesale

$57.99

Cotton shawl, 'Breeze of Brown Purple' - Hand Spun Cotton Shawl Wrap in Brown Purple and Pink

Bestseller

Breeze of Brown Purple, Hand Spun Cotton Shawl Wrap in Brown Purple and Pink

Vinita

(739)

$23.39 Wholesale

~~$25.99~~ $23.39

Black Kathmandu, Women's Hand Embroidered Wool Hat

NOVICA & National Geographic Travel Collection

(870)

$31.20 Wholesale

~~$39~~ $31.20

100% alpaca fingerless mitts, 'Geometric Color' - Hand Crafted 100% Alpaca Colorful Fingerless Gloves

Bestseller

Geometric Color, Hand Crafted 100% Alpaca Colorful Fingerless Gloves

Maritza Pacori

(94)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99

100% alpaca beret, 'Azure Leaves' - Women's Blue Beret Hat Knitted by Hand in 100% Alpaca Wool

Bestseller

Azure Leaves, Women's Blue Beret Hat Knitted by Hand in 100% Alpaca Wool

Maritza Pacori

(94)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99

Ivory Shapes, Cable Knit Ivory 100% Alpaca Hat from Peru

Idelsa Guevara

(18)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

Cantuta Flower, 100% Baby Alpaca Peruvian Cap With Ear Flaps and Tassels

Hilando Victoria

(2)

$59.99 Wholesale

$59.99

Dusty Lilac Maze, Hand Knit Dusty Lilac Himalayan Maze Wool Blend Wrap Scarf

Himalayan Naari

(2)

$69.99 Wholesale

$69.99

Aubergine Waves, Hand-Knit Alpaca Blend Hat in Aubergine from Peru

Idelsa Guevara

(18)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99

Wispy Clouds, Fair Trade Alpaca Wool Solid White Hat

Alfredo Falcon

(1104)

$67.99 Wholesale

$67.99

Ivory Snowfall, Hand Knit Andean 100% Alpaca Women's Beret in Ivory

Maritza Pacori

(94)

$39.95 Wholesale

$39.95

Blue Winter, Artisan Crafted Alpaca Wool Hat

Fernando Cano

(768)

$57.99 Wholesale

$57.99

Sunrise in the Andes, Hand Knit 100% Baby Alpaca Hat in Red Shades from Peru

Maritza Pacori

(94)

$34.99 Wholesale

$34.99

Qanchi Dance, Multicolored Hand Knit Wool Hat

Hilando Victoria

(2)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99

Green Paths, Cable Knit Green 100% Alpaca Hat from Peru

Idelsa Guevara

(18)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

Himalayan Cascade in Graphite, Unisex Hand Knit Himalayan Graphite Grey Wool Blend Scarf

Himalayan Naari

(2)

$69.99 Wholesale

$69.99

Ivory Ways, Cable Knit Ivory 100% Alpaca Hat Crafted in Peru

Idelsa Guevara

(18)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

Highland Roads, Hand Knit 100% Baby Alpaca Hat in Grey Orange Ivory & Black

Maritza Pacori

(94)

$32.99 Wholesale

$32.99

Gentle Grey Waves, Hand-Knit Grey Alpaca Blend Cozy Winter Hat

Idelsa Guevara

(18)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99

Mighty Mountains, 100% Alpaca Unisex in Brown Hat Hand-Knitted in Peru

Maria Teresa Tejada

(18)

$59.99 Wholesale

$59.99

Spectacular Sea, Blue & Aqua Cotton Blend Scarf Hand-Knit in Triangle Shape

Maritza Oviedo

(6)

$89.99 Wholesale

~~$99.99~~ $89.99

Braids, 100% Alpaca Chullo Hat in Beige Hand-Knitted in Peru

Maria Teresa Tejada

(18)

$57.99 Wholesale

$57.99

Himalayan Cascade in Lavender, Hand Knit Himalayan Lavender Wool Blend Wrap Scarf

Himalayan Naari

(2)

$69.99 Wholesale

$69.99

Graceful Grey, Hand-Knit Grey Wool Blend Vertical Ribbed Infinity Scarf

Himalayan Naari

(2)

$69.99 Wholesale

$69.99

Grey Scallops, Cable Knit Grey 100% Alpaca Hat from Peru

Idelsa Guevara

(18)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

Cotton shawl, 'Breeze of Blue Purple' - Hand Woven Cotton Shawl Thai Blue Purple Wrap

Bestseller

Breeze of Blue Purple, Hand Woven Cotton Shawl Thai Blue Purple Wrap

Vinita

(739)

$35.99 Wholesale

~~$39.99~~ $35.99

Spectacular Sunset, Red & Salmon Cotton Blend Scarf Hand-Knit in Triangle Shape

Maritza Oviedo

(6)

$89.99 Wholesale

~~$99.99~~ $89.99

Marble, Hand-Knitted 100% Alpaca Pom-Pom Hat in Brown and White

Idelsa Guevara

(18)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

Sealing Wax, Unisex Alpaca Blend Hat in Orange Hand-Knit in Peru

Idelsa Guevara

(18)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

Hand-knit scarf, 'Green Grass' - Hand-Knit Wrap Scarf in Green from Peru

Avocado Style, Hand-Knit Wrap Scarf in Green from Peru

Idelsa Guevara

(18)

$49.49 Wholesale

~~$54.99~~ $49.49

Brown Mountain Roads, Hand Woven 100% Alpaca Wool Beanie Hat

Alfredo Falcon

(1104)

$44.99 Wholesale

$44.99

Jungle Rose, Alpaca Neck Warmer Knitted and Croched by Hand

Marianella Asto

(22)

$69.99 Wholesale

$69.99

Striped Joy, Knit Baby Alpaca Blend Striped Shawl in Red Wine and Blue

Raquel and Gregor

(169)

$89.99 Wholesale

$89.99

Crimson Beauty, Knit Baby Alpaca Blend Fringed Shawl in Red & Yellow

Raquel and Gregor

(169)

$89.99 Wholesale

$89.99

Warm Cables in White, White Cable Knit 100% Alpaca Hat

Idelsa Guevara

(18)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

Crimson Mountains, Baby Alpaca Mittens in Crimson and White from Peru

Maria Teresa Tejada

(18)

$44.99 Wholesale

$44.99

Knotted Beauty Ecru, Hand-Knit Ecru Wool Blend Vertical Knots Hat from India

Himalayan Naari

(2)

$34.99 Wholesale

$34.99

Roads in Red, Peruvian Cable Knit Red Alpaca Blend Hat with a Pompon

Idelsa Guevara

(18)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

Heavenly Hearts, 100% Alpaca Hat in Black and Grey Hand-Knitted in Peru

Maria Teresa Tejada

(18)

$57.99 Wholesale

$57.99

Stylish in Ivory, Hand Knitted Ivory Color Alpaca Neck Warmer or Hat

Maritza Pacori

(94)

$59.99 Wholesale

$59.99

Himalayan Comfort in Jade, Hand Knitted Jade Green Wool Blend Hat from India

Himalayan Naari

(2)

$34.99 Wholesale

$34.99

Himalayan Waves Ecru, Hand-Knit Ecru Wool Blend Zigzag Ribbed Hat from India

Himalayan Naari

(2)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99

Cotton shawl, 'Pastel Breeze' - Blue Pink and Brown Hand Woven Cotton Shawl Thai Wrap

Breeze of Blue Pink, Blue Pink and Brown Hand Woven Cotton Shawl Thai Wrap

Vinita

(739)

$22.09 Wholesale

~~$25.99~~ $22.09

100% alpaca mittens, 'Andean Hands' - Grey 100% Alpaca Hand Knit Mittens With Cable Knit Design

Coming back

Andean Hands, Grey 100% Alpaca Hand Knit Mittens With Cable Knit Design

Maria Teresa Tejada

(18)

$79.99 Wholesale

$79.99

Diamond Elegance in Black, Diamond Pattern 100% Alpaca Knit Hat in Black from Peru

Maritza Pacori

(94)

$47.99 Wholesale

$47.99

100% alpaca chullo hat, 'Andean Heritage in Grey' - Knit Chullo Hat of 100% Alpaca in Natural Grey

Coming back

Andean Heritage in Gray, Knit Chullo Hat of 100% Alpaca in Natural Grey

Maria Teresa Tejada

(18)

$59.99 Wholesale

$59.99

100% alpaca fingerless mitts, 'Andean Cosmovision' - 100% Alpaca Geometric Fingerless Mitts Hand-Knitted in Peru

Coming back

Andean Cosmovision, 100% Alpaca Geometric Fingerless Mitts Hand-Knitted in Peru

Maria Teresa Tejada

(18)

$47.99 Wholesale

$47.99

100% alpaca hat and neck warmer, 'Checkerboard Warmth' - Natural Grey Hand Knit Alpaca Combination Hat and Neck Cover

Coming back

Checkerboard Warmth, Natural Grey Hand Knit Alpaca Combination Hat and Neck Cover

Maria Teresa Tejada

(18)

$59.99 Wholesale

$59.99

100% alpaca gloves, 'Inca Mountains' - 100% Alpaca Hand Knit Gloves With Inca Inspired Pattern

Coming back

Inca Mountains, 100% Alpaca Hand Knit Gloves With Inca Inspired Pattern

Maria Teresa Tejada

(18)

$59.99 Wholesale

$59.99

Baby alpaca blend shawl, 'Impressive Stripes' - Knit Baby Alpaca Blend Striped Shawl in Blue and Cyan

Coming back

Impressive Stripes, Knit Baby Alpaca Blend Striped Shawl in Blue and Cyan

Raquel and Gregor

(169)

$129.99 Wholesale

$129.99

Baby alpaca blend shawl, 'Elegant Stripes' - Knit Baby Alpaca Blend Shawl in Black Honey & Grey from Peru

Coming back

Elegant Stripes, Knit Baby Alpaca Blend Shawl in Black Honey & Grey from Peru

Raquel and Gregor

(169)

$129.99 Wholesale

$129.99

100% alpaca fingerless mittens, 'Buttoned Warmth' - Ivory 100% Undyed Alpaca Fingerless Mitts from Peru

Coming back

Buttoned Warmth, Ivory 100% Undyed Alpaca Fingerless Mitts from Peru

Maria Teresa Tejada

(18)

$59.99 Wholesale

$59.99

100% alpaca fingerless mitts, 'Heavenly Stripes' - 100% Alpaca Striped Fingerless Mitts Hand-Knitted in Peru

Coming back

Heavenly Stripes, 100% Alpaca Striped Fingerless Mitts Hand-Knitted in Peru

Maria Teresa Tejada

(18)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99

Knit wool legwarmers, 'Qanchi Dance' - Handmade Wool Knit Legwarmers

Coming back

Qanchi Dance, Handmade Wool Knit Legwarmers

Hilando Victoria

(2)

$69.99 Wholesale

$69.99

Chilly Stars, Hand-Knit Ivory Wool Hat

Himadri

$32.29 Wholesale

~~$37.99~~ $32.29

Welcome!

New Wishlist

Unique Gifts

Curated Gift Boxes

Build Your Own Gift Sets

Express Gifts

Gift Cards

Special Collections

Women's Jewelry

Men's Jewelry

Materials

Collections

Popular & New

Women's Clothing

Women's Accessories

Men's Fashion

Handbags

Seasonal Collections

Home Accessories

Home Furnishings

Kitchen and Dining

Decor Collections

Special Collections

Discipline

Subject Matter

Color Themes

Special Collections

Explore, Empower, Impact

Call 1-877-266-8422

Women's Hand Knit Accessories

Related Categories

Unique Finds

The Village Council

Featured Reviews

Maria Teresa Tejada Apparel and accessories in Andean alpaca

The Summer Catalog