Embroidery is more than a craft to the Kashmiri craftsman; it is an emotion woven into threads over a period. The craftsman does just everything from the collection of the finest raw material to thread selection best suited as per the required fabric count. The higher the count, the finer the yarn is and the more exquisite the embroidery would be. One of the better known one is the aari embroidery. Also known as crewel embroidery, it is a specialty of the artisans of the Valley. This type of embroidery is created in fine and concentric rings of chain stitch with long hooked needle known as crewel. This work can be crafted on velvets, kinds of cotton, linens, wools, silks, rayons, and likes. The embroidery can be needled with regular motif patterns or can be customized as suggested to the Kaarigar. Locally, Aari work is also known as Zalakdozi. It has found its widespread use in royal Kashmiri interiors and exquisite furnishings such as curtains, drapes, sheets, cushions, beds, and cutlery covers as well.

Aari embroidery is done with a pen-like needle that matches the shape of crochet hooks. The hook needle used in aari kaem is the ‘aer’ and while maintaining the same quality, hook work covers a much larger area than needle work in the same amount of time. The embroidery uses, cotton, silk and wool threads. Aari is different from other embroideries as the hook used in this is worked from under the cloth unlike the other embroideries wherein the work starts from the top. This movement creates loops and repetition of these loops creates the beautiful stitch pattern in striking colors and patterns. The workshop for men is at Noorbagh, Palpora and the women work in a workshop at Safa Kadal.

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