Srinagar

Chainstich rugs

There are rugs in two styles; english design or kilim design. it will be evident what is meant when you see them.

Paper Machie products

Quite unique to kashmir with colourful motifs and design on them. they are seen everywhere and resemble pottery in shape and design....blooming dale in dalgate area have a vast collection of papier machie products.

John International
172 Old Gagribal Road
+91 194 2477640
Near Nehru Park
Cashmere (Pashmina) shawls

Have been manufactured in kashmir for thousands of years. pashmina shawls are very popular items for sale in the valley, but make sure to test the quality before purchasing. the test for a 100% pashmina has been warmth, feel and the passing of the shawl through a wedding ring. costs on a true pashmina can vary wildly, but usually start around rs 8,000. secondly, the weave pattern on a good pashmina is fainter than on a "silk pashmina" or other wool pashmina. there is also lower grades of pashmina known as semi-pashmina 10-50% pashmina wool and half-pashmina 50% pashmina wool which are still of an exceptional quality but much lower price rs 1,000-3,000. also check if they are machine woven or hand woven look for irregularities in the wool to spot a hand woven, hand woven are stronger due to the density of the weave and cost more.

Kashmir Shawl Museum
1st floor of the Auquaf Building at Dalgate at the end of The Boulevard in the centre of town
+91 194 242 4891
Near Dhar Medicate look for a tiny staircase heading up and a big 1st floor sign

They will take you through in detail the types of pashminas you can buy and how to test them and are fantastic in that they don't negotiate but offer a set price.

Government Emporia

You can also buy embroidered felt mats called namdahs but the colours of the wool may be a bit too bright in most shops. the government emporia supplies might be better than some the private shops.

You can buy nice leather products, or jewellery.