Why vonoz creates hand-carved woodblocks for each bespoke design

Why vonoz Creates Hand-Carved Woodblocks for Each Bespoke Design

Behind every embroidered line lies a decision — and before every stitch, a pattern. At vonoz cashmere, we approach Sozni embroidery not as decoration, but as composition. For our Sozni Collection, each bespoke piece begins with something rare: a hand-carved woodblock, designed exclusively for that one shawl.

More Than a Template

These wooden blocks are not mass-produced stencils. They are sculpted by a master block carver — one of the few remaining in Kashmir — who translates our design sketches into a precise, mirror-reversed relief. The process takes days and requires perfect balance, as the block must transfer fine lines evenly across delicate cashmere.

Printing the Blueprint

Once carved, the block is inked with natural dye and pressed onto the scarf, leaving a faint outline of the motif. This becomes the silent guide for the embroiderer — a roadmap made by hand, for the hand. The ink will disappear in the final wash, leaving only the embroidery behind.

A Unique Block for Every Bespoke Shawl

In the case of our bespoke commissions, each block is created anew. It is signed and numbered, and delivered to the client alongside the finished shawl — a physical artifact of the design’s origin. No two blocks, and no two shawls, are ever alike.

Why It Matters

In an age of digital replication, carving a block for a single use may seem excessive. But for us, it’s essential. It’s a way of honoring the material, the motif, and the client. It ensures that the embroidery grows from a gesture, not a file. That every stitch has a soul behind it.

Keywords & Context

• hand-carved woodblocks
• Sozni embroidery
• bespoke cashmere shawls
• traditional block printing
• vonoz craftsmanship

Before the stitch, there is the imprint. Before the scarf, there is the story.

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