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Ivory Cloud
Elegant Baby Alpaca and Silk Blend Shawl from Peru
Ivory Cloud, Elegant Baby Alpaca and Silk Blend Shawl from Peru
Raquel and Gregor
Peruvian artisans Raquel and Gregor design and hand-weave this ivory shawl from baby alpaca and silk blend. Beautiful and elegant as it can be, this shawl is the perfect accessory for any occasion.$79.99$71.99Artist: Raquel and Gregor
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Autumn Muse
Floral Modern Printed Wool Shawl from India
Autumn Muse, Floral Modern Printed Wool Shawl from India
Arnab Roy
Evoking autumn, this Indian shawl features printed floral motifs and abstract designs against a body of khaki and black. India's Arnab Roy presents this modern shawl, its body decorated with dangling... read more$39.99$35.99Artist: Arnab Roy
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Lapis Allure
Modern Lapis and Black Wool Shawl from India
Lapis Allure, Modern Lapis and Black Wool Shawl from India
Arnab Roy
In hues of lapis and black, abstract shapes decorate this contemporary shawl from India. Presented by Arnab Roy, this shawl is woven from wool, decorated with colorful printed designs and floral... read more$39.99$35.99Artist: Arnab Roy
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Peruvian Chalina
100% Alpaca Earth-Tone Striped Chalina Shawl from Peru
Peruvian Chalina, 100% Alpaca Earth-Tone Striped Chalina Shawl from Peru
Stefano Basso
Chalina is the Latin American word for the long rectangular shawls that are traditional in various countries. They are useful as a second layer of warmth over a sweater or coat, as well as a little... read more$99.99$89.99Artist: Stefano Basso
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Modern Serenity
Modern Floral Printed Wool Shawl from India
Modern Serenity, Modern Floral Printed Wool Shawl from India
Arnab Roy
Framed by black, colorful floral motifs are printed onto the umber body of this contemporary shawl from India. Presents by Arnab Roy, this modern shawl is woven from wool, its body decorated with... read more$39.99$35.99Artist: Arnab Roy
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Sunset Awakening
Artisan Crafted 100% Baby Alpaca Shawl with Crochet Fringe
Sunset Awakening, Artisan Crafted 100% Baby Alpaca Shawl with Crochet Fringe
Tomas Sota
Tomas Sota of Peru presents this shawl handcrafted from baby alpaca wool. This trendy textile exudes elegance in black with a stunning crocheted border in red, green, and yellow. It is the perfect... read more$119.99$107.99Artist: Tomas Sota
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Flowing River
Hand-Painted Blue and Green Cotton Shawl from Costa Rica
Flowing River, Hand-Painted Blue and Green Cotton Shawl from Costa Rica
Carmen Fuentes
Costa Rica's Carmen Fuentes hand-paints this beautiful cotton shawl that depicts nature. With the idea of representing a flowing river, she uses a blue and green background and finishes it with a set... read more$44.99$40.49Artist: Carmen Fuentes
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Vibrant Blocks of Color
Baby Alpaca Blend Shawl in Stripes Handwoven from Peru
Vibrant Blocks of Color, Baby Alpaca Blend Shawl in Stripes Handwoven from Peru
Raquel and Gregor
This lightweight and cozy shawl made from baby alpaca and pima cotton blend is the product of Peruvian artisans Raquel and Gregor, who hand-weave it in four vibrant stripes in hues of purple and... read more$84.99$76.49Artist: Raquel and Gregor
Women's Modern Shawls
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The Village Council
Your answers straight from the village experts


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.
Featured Artist
Arnab Roy Shawls and fashion accessories
"In my workshop, we create a varied range of apparel and accessories made from silk, cotton, wool, linen and viscose⦠for fashion conscious girls and women."