Cotton

Weaving

Cotton

Cotton

Cotton

Fibre from the floss of the seed heads of cotton shrubs of the Gossypium family. (See also handspun cotton)

Cotton was traditionally the single largest natural fibre used in clothing. Today India occupies the second position in cotton production in the world. Many varieties of cotton were produced here, the majority being the short staple variety which is ideal for hand spinning. Since then India has moved away from growing short staple varieties. In the past over 500 indigenous varieties of cotton were grown in India. Today less than 20 varieties are grown.