Shawls are known since antique, but all the recent shawls history starts from the Kashmir shawls discovery from the 17th century end.

One of the specific features of the Kashmir shawls is the matter used to make them: the Tibet goat's down.
This down is produced by goats in severe conditions, only in very cold period (-40 °) and at a high altitude (+ of 4000m).

This down is the finest natural fiber known.
It measures less than 19 microns for the common quality, and less than 13 microns for the upper (30 - 40 microns for a hair).
It's the most sought-after quality, but obviously the most expensive too.

Thanks to these not so common natural qualities, the goat's down allows to work out very fine, very insulating and very soft touch cloths, which explains its interest for shawls.

And the Russian Orenburg Shawls?

The link is the Tibet goat's down, which in the South of the Himalayas allows the Kashmir production, and in the north feed Kirghizstan, a Russia province, which feeds the city of Orenbourg.

The manufacture technique is what most differentiates the Orenburg Shawls from those of the Kashmir.
The knitting of the Orenburg Shawls allows to get a filling that doesn't allow the weaving of the Kashmir shawls, which makes them even softer and nicer.

In fact the Orenburg Shawls are or knit by classical techniques with needles, which already gives them a very nice aspect, or by the use of "forks", which, allowing to accomplish very wide stitches, allows the upper creativity in esthetic research.

Thanks to the use of forks, we get filling shawls which are even more sumptuous, with esthetic motives without other limits than their creators imagination, while keeping an exceptional insulating power.

The Orenburg Shawls are reputed for their swelling, and their lightness.
These qualities are highlighted by the well-known test which consists in getting them in the hole of a wedding ring, which is amazing, at first.

Each time I see this demonstration, I can't help but having a small apprehension, but not, nothing to fear, it passes every time.

To still improve their aspect (if it is possible) and their softness, the Orenburg Shawls are blended with a good silk proportion, which gives them a brilliance and a really luxurious aspect.

Where is it possible to find Orenburg Shawls?

Orenburg Shawls are not found in every clothes stores.
So, if you really want to obtain one, it will be preferable for you to turn to the Internet, where a search engine research should allow you to find the object of your sweet dreams...


In the store orenburg shawls you will find a sprawling range of very nice Orenburg Shawls chosen to be their beauty and their softness.
See also châles d'orenbourg and chales d'orenbourg