Beauty in Textures

Multi-shaft (or, multi-treadle) is a technique in advanced weaving, which creates textures by differential lifting of warp yarns. Generally, the multi-shaft technique is not prevalent in Indian weaving where predominantly extra-weft insertions are used to create motifs on a plain-weave base. However, multi shaft has gained popularity recently and is practiced in the hills of Uttarakhand and Ladakh, and also some cotton weaving clusters of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh.

Experiments on multi-shaft can lead to interesting patterns, and varied drapes and hand-feel. It gives a contemporary and fresh look to the textile.