Women's Cotton Shawls(332 items)
Welcome to NOVICA's Women's Cotton Shawl Collection designed and crafted for you by talented artisans worldwide.
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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 Reviews on Women's Cotton Shawls
Block-printed cotton shawl, 'Indigo Stripes'





By Janet
More beautiful than pictured
So very pleased with the beauty and artistry in this scarf. The recipient of my gift could not have been more happy.
Block-printed cotton shawl, 'Mughal Glory'





By Evie
This shawl is lovely!
This is a Christmas gift for a friend and I will be very proud to give it. The beading on the edge is well done, the shawl is roomy. I love it and almost wish it wasnt a gift!
Cotton shawl, 'Chic Warmth in Teal'





By LINDA
Just as I hoped for.
This shawl is a gorgeous teal, just as I hoped for. The knit pattern is beautiful, and the workmanship is expert. Im very happy with the purchase.
Featured Artist



Delfina Ruiz Zapotec wool rugs
"This is the art my parents dedicated their lives to, and it's what I know best."
“We have worked with you for some time now, which has taught me in a very special way to listen to my heart. Thank you for the confidence and perseverance in being part of our growth process. Thanks to you, we are creating more and more handwoven rugs and... read more
Popular Women's Cotton Shawls
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Artisan Crafted Colorful Cotton Shawl from Guatemala, "Festival of Color"
$67.99Evoking the colors of a Guatemalan festival, this shawl features vibrant stripes, X patterns, and squares that are woven by hand from cotton yarns. Elena Ixtamer creates this shawl, which is accented at the ends with dangling fringe work.
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Bright Pink and Black Cotton Handwoven Zapotec Shawl, "Mexican Rose"
$79.99Working on the handloom, Carmen Ruiz weaves an extraordinary Zapotec shawl. Intricate motifs on a black warp are created in the hot pink known as or "Mexican rose." A voluptuous hand-tied macramé fringe completes this lovely cotton wrap, which takes its colors from natural dyes.
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Colorful Cotton Shawl Crafted in Guatemala, "San Juan Fiesta"
$69.95In all the colors of a fiesta, cotton yarns are handwoven together on a traditional loom to create the intricate stripes and X patterns of this shawl from Guatemala. Elena Ixtamer creates this artisanal shawl, which is sure to turn heads wherever it goes. Hand-knotted fringe work accents the ends of this marvelous accessory.
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Block-Printed Cotton Shawl from India, "Mughal Glory"
$25.99Working in the traditional style of block printing, Indian artisans hand-carve wood blocks to apply the intricate melon, azure, and smoke motifs onto the snow white body of this regal cotton shawl. Vijay Singh offers this fantastic shawl, which is enhanced with plastic beads.