AJK Council website offers you details of the various art and craft forms practiced in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. This section specifically focuses on the famous needlework that the artisans of Kashmir are adept at. This threadwork is known as embroidery.
The Kashmiri jaal work is quite popular. It takes months to complete thread work on one shawl, stole or bedspread.
Artisans stitch decorative motifs of birds, maple leaves, and other decorative designs. The most popular form of thread work is the chain stitch that is done on shawls and clothes.
Kashmiri jamavar shawls with intricate thread work are in demand all over the world. The special feature of this type of thread work is that these shawls can be worn on both sides, that is, the patterns stitched on one side cone out with the same finish on the other side, with no threads sticking out. The sozoni style embroidery stitching is also very popular. Gold thread is also is used for zardozi work on saris, gowns and shawls. The sozoni thread work is usually done on the borders of the shawls. Brocade patterns are woven on some of the pashmina shawls.