We produce beautiful pure yak wool shawls, stoles and scarves. They are hand-woven by traditional weavers in villages around us, on simple looms.
What is yak wool?
Yaks are found in high-altitude areas in many parts of the world. The most important sources of yak wool are China, Mongolia and India. Ours comes from the Changthang region in Ladakh, and Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh.
Yaks are kept by Changpa nomads in the Changthang region of Ladakh. For them these animals are crucial livestock, providing them with milk, meat, leather, material for making tents, and of course wool. They are also used as pack animals. As there is a scarcity of wood in the area, yak dung is also used as a fuel for cooking and heating. .
Like the pashmina goat, the yak develops a fine and soft down next to its skin to protect against the cold conditions of its habitat. It is adapted to survive the harsh cold weather of Himalayan deserts at heights of 3000 to 5000 meters. The winter temperature in these places can go as low as minus 35-40 centigrade. The yak’s coat can withstand these temperatures. It consists of an outer layer of coarse long hair and an inner layer of very fine down (15-20 microns) which preserves the yak’s body heat.
The wool is collected by hand combing during the summer. On average a yak produces 1-1.5 kgs of wool. This is hand processed to separate the coarse hair from the fine down. On average 0.5 kg of fine down wool is obtained from one yak. Once cleaned, the down is converted into fine yarn which is handwoven into shawls, stoles and scarves. The outer layer of hair is used to make rope and tents.
Why are Yak wool products highly sought after?
Yak’s wool is a perfect fibre. It is breathable, odour resistant, and naturally anti-bacterial. These excellent properties make it an ideal material for shawls. It is very soft and will keep you nicely warm in cold winters. In fact, Yak wool products are almost as soft and warm as pashminas but cost a lot less. As it also breathes well and does not produce static, it is very comfortable to wear.
The yak is one of the most sustainable wool-producing animals as it puts comparatively lower stress on grazing pastures.
Most of the wool comes in two shades: black and dark brown, and does not need dyeing. Ours is mostly dark brown.
Handmade yak wool products are among the most exciting we have made. We are sure you would love them
Yak Wool Product Sizes
Product | Length | Width |
Large Shawls and throws | 100 inches (254 centimeters) | 52 inches (132 centimetres) |
Shawls | 90 inches (229 centimeters) | 36 inches (91 ccentimeters) |
Stoles | 86 inches (218 centimeters) | 24 inches (61 centimeters) |
Scarves | 78 inches (198 centimetres) | 12 inches (30 centimeters)
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