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 Wood Accessories at NOVICA

Golden Paradise, Handmade Silk Batik Fan

Melati's Collection

(86)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99
Bestseller

Deep Blue Blossom, Batik Silk Fan from Indonesia

Melati's Collection

(86)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Bestseller

Tamarind Leaves, Women's Silk Batik Fan from Indonesia

Melati's Collection

(86)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Bestseller

Black Bali Glory, Silk batik fan

Melati's Collection

(86)

$34.99 Wholesale

$34.99
New Arrival

Nocturnal Garden, Batik Floral and Leaf-Themed Silk Fan with Pinewood Handle

Melati's Collection

(86)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Bestseller

Golden Rings, Indonesian Batik Silk Patterned Fan

Melati's Collection

(86)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Bestseller

Balinese Springtime, Women's Floral Silk Batik Fan

Melati's Collection

(86)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Bestseller

Aster Blue, Unique Silk Batik Fan with Floral Print

Melati's Collection

(86)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Black Fern, Women's Handmade Silk Batik Fan

Melati's Collection

(86)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Bestseller

Red Fern, Indonesian Silk Patterned Fan

Melati's Collection

(86)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99
Nature of Parang, Handcrafted Printed Batik Silk and Pinewood Fan from Bali

Melati's Collection

(86)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99
Empress Garden in Crimson, Silk and Wood Fan with Floral Motifs on Crimson Indonesia

Wiracana Hand Fan

(19)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99
Aster Orange, Hand Crafted Orange Batik Silk Fan

Melati's Collection

(86)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99
Red Bali Glory, Batik Silk Fan

Melati's Collection

(86)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99
Rama Sita, Silk and Wood Fan with Hindu Motifs in Wheat and Crimson

Wiracana Hand Fan

(19)

$54.99 Wholesale

$54.99
Feminine, Floral Batik Silk Fan

Melati's Collection

(86)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99
Bestseller

Jali Friends, Set of 3 Animal-Themed Kadam Wood Jali Keychains from India

Motilal and Ayush

(2)

$14.99 Wholesale

$14.99
Banji Black, Batik Silk Hand Fan Hand Crafted in Bali

Melati's Collection

(86)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99
Palatial Grace, Set of 3 Hand-Carved Natural Brown Mango Wood Hairpins

Arti Sharma

(136)

$12.99 Wholesale

$12.99
Elephant March, Hand Made Thai Coconut Shell Belt

Sasithon Saisuk

(142)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99
Featured Sale

Coastal Chic, Turquoise Bone and Wood Hair Pin Accessory from India

GlobeIn Collection

(16)

$6.99 Wholesale

~~$9.99~~ $6.99
Light Brown Spiral, Light Brown Sawo Wood Spiral Motif Hair Pin from Bali

Bhakti Senang Hati

(113)

$19.99 Wholesale

$19.99
Woodland Whimsy, Fair Trade Indian Handmade 4-Piece Mango Wood Hair Pin Set

Arti Sharma

(136)

$19.99 Wholesale

$19.99
Nature Charm, Hand-Carved Pinewood Keychain with Colorful Bird Painting

Hugo Pichiya

(1)

$25.99 Wholesale

$25.99
Blue Sky Charm, Hand-Carved Pinewood Keychain with Spring Sky Painting

Hugo Pichiya

(1)

$25.99 Wholesale

$25.99
Antigua's Charm, Hand-Carved Pinewood Keychain with Antigua's Arch Painting

Hugo Pichiya

(1)

$25.99 Wholesale

$25.99
Bestseller

Golden Vines, Silk Batik Fan From Indonesia

Melati's Collection

(86)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Minimalist Bear, Handcrafted Minimalist Modern Cedarwood Bear Keychain

Victor Hugo Lopez

(57)

$19.99 Wholesale

$19.99
Noble Grace, Set of 3 Hand-Carved Leafy Natural Brown Mango Wood Hairpins

Arti Sharma

(136)

$12.99 Wholesale

$12.99
Burgundy Fern, Handcrafted Batik Wood Silk Patterned Fan

Melati's Collection

(86)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Bangli Springtime, Pink Floral Hand Fan Crafted from Silk and Pinewood

Melati's Collection

(86)

$37.99 Wholesale

$37.99
Minimalist Giraffe, Handcrafted Minimalist Modern Cedarwood Giraffe Keychain

Victor Hugo Lopez

(57)

$19.99 Wholesale

$19.99
Eco Love, Coconut shell belt

Sasithon Saisuk

(142)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Lengko Scarlet, Scarlet Print Silk Batik Hand Fan from Bali

Melati's Collection

(86)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Windows in the Earth, Fair Trade Coconut Shell Belt

Sasithon Saisuk

(142)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99
Tropics, Handmade Silk Batik Fan

Melati's Collection

(86)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Style Spiral, Traditional Hand-Carved Spiral Suar Wood Hair Pin From Bali

Bhakti Senang Hati

(113)

$19.99 Wholesale

$19.99
Moonlit Stars, Stars and Half Moons Coconut Shell and Nylon Cord Tie Belt

Sasithon Saisuk

(142)

$29.99 Wholesale

$29.99
Volcano Charm, Hand-Carved Pinewood Keychain with Volcano Painting

Hugo Pichiya

(1)

$25.99 Wholesale

$25.99
Coming back

Turquoise Worlds, Chakana-Themed Turquoise and Green Embroidered Wool Belt

Alicia Huaman

(58)

$52.24 Wholesale

~~$54.99~~ $52.24
Pomegranate Luck, Pomegranate-Shaped Brown Wood and Stainless Steel Keychain

Hayk Mesropyan

$10.19 Wholesale

~~$11.99~~ $10.19
Sylvan Nymph, Hand-Carved Geometric Light Brown Walnut Wood Hair Pin

Armen Khachatryan

$19.55 Wholesale

~~$23~~ $19.55
Sylvan Queen, Hand-Carved Traditional Dark Brown Walnut Wood Hair Pin

Armen Khachatryan

$18.69 Wholesale

~~$21.99~~ $18.69
Giraffe, Hand Carved Giraffe Walking Stick

Anna Yawson

(34)

$118.15 Wholesale

~~$139~~ $118.15

Featured Reviews

Wood hairpins, 'Noble Grace' (set of 3)

The farm

Feb 17, 2025

Very nice

Smooth and silky. Glides through hair without catching. Stays put too. They do their job while adding some handmade craftsmanship to my style. Thank you NOVICA. So much better than anything from a local store everyone else s wearing.

Brown Accessories

Wood Accessories

Bohemian Accessories

Eco-Friendly Accessories

Accessories

Silk batik fan, 'Golden Rings'

Norma G

Jul 30, 2016

Exquisite

A beautifully crafted fan. Silk material used is aesthetically appeasing both to the eye and to touch. Another cherished item. Well done Melati x

Accessory

Batik Fans

Beautiful Decorative Fans

Cool Hand Fan

Elegant

Fan

Silk

Well Made

Wifey

Silk batik fan,'Golden Vines'

Cheryl

Jun 16, 2016

Gorgeous Gift

This is such a beautiful fan! As an older woman, I often find I appreciate a fan to cool off, but hate just using my opera or symphony program or some magazine I pick up off a friend's coffee table. I have several of Melati's fans in different styles and have given them to friends as gifts.

Batik Fans

Stunning Decorative Fans

Very Elegant Fans!

Gold Tone Accessories

Black Accessories

Silk Accessories

Wood Accessories

Leaf and Tree Accessories

Batik Accessories

Accessories