Non-woven felted wool · Rugs · Floor coverings · Anantnag, Srinagar, Baramulla, Pulwama
Hand-felted virgin sheep wool floor rug embellished with vibrant Aari needle embroidery.
Layered wool felt compressed and embroidered with traditional floral patterns
Direct Engine Routing for this Craft
Kashmir Namda is a traditional non-woven floor rug crafted by hand-felting virgin sheep wool (and optional cotton blend) using soap, warm water, and human foot compression, which is then dried and decorated with cheerful chain-stitch Aari embroidery.
Virgin Kashmir sheep wool, Raw cotton (optional blend), Woolen embroidery yarn
Felt density 100% pure wool or 70/30 wool-cotton blend; minimum thickness 8mm.
Kashmir Valley & Ladakh pastoral zones
Typical Duration: 10 to 40 hours per rug
Manual layering, moist felting with soap water, rolling and foot compression (Pinjara), followed by Aari embroidery.
Geographical Indications Registry, Government of India (GI Application #218)
All felting and embroidery restricted to Jammu & Kashmir.
₹1,200 – ₹15,000 (Based on wool purity grade and embroidery density)
Artisan Labor Share: 55% of valuation
100% virgin wool Namdas command 1.8x valuation over 70/30 wool-cotton blended rugs.
4,100+ felters and embroiderers
15 Namda societies
Anantnag · Nawa Kadal Srinagar · Baramulla
Carbon Emissions Profile: Low emissions (< 2.8 kg CO2e / rug) with zero electricity industrial inputs.
Dye & Chemical Standard: AZO-free colorants and natural dyes.
Water Footprint: Modest water usage in soap-felting with biodegradable soap.
Circular Sustainability: 100% renewable sheep fleece offering natural insulation and compostability.
Resilience Planning: Government Namda Revival Project and ergonomic mechanical felting roller aids.
Curriculum: Traditional Wool Carding & Soap Felting
Core Modules: Pinjara Carding, Soap Solution Ratios & Rolling, Anchored Aari Embroidery
Master Ustad Faculty: 7 Master Felters
Specification Version: Craftlore CAIS-GI-2026.1
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