Khadi Cotton
Khadi is hand-spun, hand-woven cotton, and in India it is a legally certified category rather than a style: only fabric spun on a charkha and woven on a handloom by a KVIC-certified unit may be sold as khadi. The yarn is spun with irregular twist, so the finished cloth has visible slubs, an uneven weave grid and a soft, dry handle that softens further with every wash. Khadi breathes exceptionally well because the loose weave traps air, which is why it feels cool in summer and insulating in winter. Counts matter when buying: lower counts (40s and below) give a rustic, structured fabric suited to kurtas and jackets, while finer counts (80s-120s, including khadi muslin) drape softly enough for sarees and dupattas. Khadi shrinks on the first two washes, so buy with allowance, wash cold by hand for the first few cycles, and dry in shade to protect natural and vegetable dyes.
Heritage & technique
Learn how Khadi Cotton is made, what distinguishes authentic work and how to care for it. The origin and technique notes above are maintained as the canonical material reference for KalaHubIndia.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Khadi Cotton authentic?+
Authentic Khadi Cotton carries a traceable origin — a named artisan cluster, a stated fibre or metal composition, and where applicable a GI tag. Every KalaHubIndia listing states all three on the product page.
How should I care for Khadi Cotton?+
Store Khadi Cotton in a cool, dry place wrapped in unbleached muslin, refold along different lines every few months to prevent permanent creasing, and dry-clean rather than machine-wash.
At a glance
- Care
- Shade dry; mild detergent
- Counts
- 40s (rustic) to 120s (muslin)
- Origin
- Pan-India (KVIC certified units)
- Process
- Hand-spun on charkha, handwoven
- Identify
- Slubs and uneven weave grid
- First wash
- Expect shrinkage; wash cold