Women's Wool Shawls(25 items)
Welcome to NOVICA's Women's Wool 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 Wool Shawls
Jamawar wool shawl, 'Paisley Voyage'





By Patricia
Absolutely stunning!
Love it 101%: classy & bohemian at the same time. Very soft on the skin, colors show beautifully; they re not as “brilliant” as expected from the description yet each one stands out. It s so well made. You can imagine the artisan working on this beauty with love and intent. My only concern is that I m going to want to use it all the time! Thank you! You re a true master.
Alpaca blend shawl, 'Andean Delight in Azure'





By Jane
Beautfiful shawl
This shawl is so beautiful I just had to get it for my sister for her birthday. She loved it ! It is the prettiest shade of blue and very classic yet difficult to find in a store. If you were to find it in a store Im sure it would be hundreds of dollars. I got a great discount on it and cheered up my sister in the middle of a difficult time.
Alpaca blend shawl, 'Wintry Diamonds'





By Judy
She loves it!
I gave this to my daughter as a Christmas gift, as she greatly missed her lost shawl. The shawl is lovely and the workmanship delighted her greatly. But the most wonderful part of this gift to her was the wrapping and hand written note from the Artist; very personal and kind. Thank you!
Popular Women's Wool Shawls
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Handwoven Jamawar Wool Shawl in Teal from India, "Himalayan Teal"
$64.95$55.21Against a body of teal and navy, colorful flowers dance under paisley clouds in a stunning jamawar from Sandeep Malhotra. So intricate was the work of an authentic jamawar that a person could finish only one shawl in his lifetime. Such shawls were not sold, but were given to kings and queens who, in turn, gave the artisan properties according to the worth of the shawl. Authentic jamawar is virtually unavailable, but replicas such as this recall their amazing beauty.
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Jamawar Style Woven Paisley Wool Wrap Shawl from India, "Paisley Voyage"
$40.49$34.42Paisley motifs in brilliant tones seem to dance on a lavish shawl with a navy blue center. Adapting traditional Kashmiri textile arts, Sandeep Malhotra designs a modern version of the style. Their lavish patterns were created with laborious needlework. This wool wrap is woven.
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Teal and Grey Tone India Jamawar Replica Wool Shawl, "Subtle Splendor"
$47.99$40.79Flowers and paisley in subtle brown, beige and teal cover a shawl from Sandeep Malhotra. It imitates the legendary work. These original textiles were embroidered by hand. So intricate was the work that a person could finish only one shawl in his lifetime. Such shawls were not sold, but were given to kings and queens who, in turn, gave the artisan properties according to the worth of the shawl. Authentic jamawar is virtually unavailable, but replicas such as this recall their amazing beauty.
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