Ajrakh Cotton Shawl: 6 Ways to Use It Beyond Wearing It
The KaiBee Ajrakh Cotton Shawl is hand block printed with natural dyes on 100% cotton, and at 56 × 78 inches (about 142 × 198 cm) it is a large, flat piece of cloth. That size is what makes it useful in more places than just over the shoulders. This guide is about those other uses. For how to recognise genuine Ajrakh and how to style it as clothing, read our Ajrakh shawl buying guide.
The shawl at a glance
6 ways to use it
1. As a wrap
The obvious one. Worn over a kurta or a plain dress, the print does the work of an accessory. We cover styling in detail in the buying guide, so we will not repeat it here.
2. As a light travel throw
Cotton is breathable, so a shawl like this suits the cold-but-not-cold situations of travel: an air-conditioned train coach, a flight, a late-night bus. It folds flat into a bag and does not add much bulk.
3. As a meditation or yoga wrap
Draped over the shoulders or across the lap, it keeps you comfortable while you sit still. The size is generous enough to wrap around without bunching.
4. As a sofa or armchair drape
A single block-printed cloth thrown over the back of a sofa or armchair adds colour and pattern to a plain room without a new set of cushions. Because it is washable cotton, it can also protect a favourite seat.
5. As a bed-end or reading-chair throw
Folded lengthwise across the foot of the bed, or left over a reading chair, it gives you something to reach for on a cool evening. It pairs naturally with plain bedsheets, where the print becomes the one decorative element.
6. As a gift
Because it is useful as clothing, as a throw and as decor, it suits people who are hard to buy for. A hand block printed piece with natural dyes also has a story behind it; our article on the block printers of Kutch tells it.
A few notes before you start
- Wash it separately, by hand, in cold water. Natural-dyed block prints can release a little colour early on, and separate washing keeps that off other clothes.
- Dry it in shade rather than strong sun to help the colours stay rich.
- It is one colour (maroon red) at the moment, so choose it for the print, not for matching a specific outfit.
- For care in more detail, see the care section of our Ajrakh shawl buying guide.
