Khadi, derived from khaddar, is a hand-spun and woven natural fibre cloth promoted by Gandhi as swadeshi for the freedom struggle of India and the term is used throughout the Indian subcontinent. The first piece of the hand-woven cloth was made in the Sabarmati Ashram of Gandhi during 1917–18. The coarseness of the cloth led Gandhi to call it khadi. The cloth is made from cotton, but it may also include silk or wool, which are all spun into yarn on a charkha. It is a versatile fabric that remains cool in summer and warm in winter. To improve its appearance, khadi is sometimes starched to give it a stiffer feel.