यदा ते मोहकलिलं बुद्धिर्व्यतितरिष्यति |
तदा गन्तासि निर्वेदं श्रोतव्यस्य श्रुतस्य च || 52||
BG 2.52: When your intellect crosses the quagmire of delusion, you will then acquire indifference to what has been heard and what is yet to be heard (about enjoyments in this world and the next).
Crochet is my fav. leisure activity
I did some research on crochet.
Hand Crochet
Contents
1. Introduction
1.1. History
1.2. Difference between
Crochet and Knitting
2. Regions of Production
3. Producer Communities
4. Raw Materials
4.1. Pricing for unwashed
wool
4.2. Availability
5. Tools
6. Process
7. Product Range
8. Changes
8.1. Technology
8.2. Design
8.3. Market
9. References
1. Introduction
1.1. History
It is believed that crochet
evolved from craft forms practiced in Arabia, South America,
and China where crafters used
their forefingers instead of a hook. However,
archaeological evidence of
crochet fabric has not been found prior to the period around
1800 when the craft became
popular in Europe. Crochet lace emerged as a popular
substitute to costly woven
lace and became a thriving cottage industry particularly in
Britain, America and France.
The early 1900s saw more elaborate stitches in crochet.
However, the craft was soon
relegated to being a home craft until the 1960s when there
was resurgence in colors and
motifs. After a subsequent decline crochet is again gaining
popularity in Europe.
In India crochet has been
practiced for the last 300-400 years. Portuguese missionaries
introduced it in Tamil Nadu
and Kerala. Jamnagar in Gujarat is considered the oldest
center for crochet craft in
India. The Godavari Delta region in Andhra Pradesh is another
important center where
crochet has been practiced for more than 100 years. It is
believed to have been
introduced in the region by Mr. and Mrs. Macrae of Scotland in
1844. Narsapur town in the
region is popular for its flourishing lace and crochet industry
providing employment to women
artisans of the region.
1.2. Difference between Crochet and Knitting
An obvious difference is that
crochet requires working with a single needle with a hook
while knitting requires
working with at least two needles.
In crochet one loop is worked
at a time and pulling a loop of yarn through the loop on
the hook creates chain of
stitches. At any given time only one loop remains on the hook.
However, in knitting multiple
loops are worked across the needle and their number
determines the width of the
fabric being created.
2. Regions of Production
While crochet is practiced in
households across India, some of the important
commercial centres of the
craft are:
· Gujarat (Jamnagar)
· Goa
· Andhra Pradesh (Narsapur)
· Tamil Nadu, Kerala
3. Producer Communities
There are no specific castes
or religious communities practicing this craft in India. It is
predominantly done by women
across households in India.
This document is based
on crochet craft in Haryana
4. Raw Materials
Crochet craft is an
inexpensive craft that requires very basic raw materials and can be
easily worked at home. The
only raw material required is the yarn or thread used.
A range of yarns can be used
- vegetable dyed hand spun yarn, local wool, local merino,
Australian merino, angora
wool, and silk. Angora is either used pure or blended with
Australian merino. Mill-spun
cotton is used to make hand bags, purses, garments, etc.
5. Tools
Crochet is a very basic craft
in terms of the raw materials and tools used. The only tool
required in crochet is a
needle that is hooked at one end. The needle is mostly referred
to as hook.
6. Process
The word crochet originated
from the French croc or croche meaning hook. Crochet is a
technique used to create
fabric by pulling loops of yarn through other loops with the
help of a hook.
A continuous strand of thread
or yarn and a single hook is required for any crochet
work.
All crochet work begins with
a foundation chain (a length of chain stitches). To create a
chain stitch first a slip
knot is made on the hook. The working yarn is brought around the
hook to make a loop and is
pulled through the loop of the slip knot. This makes one
chain stitch and a loop
remains on the hook. The process is repeated to create a chain.
The chain is either worked in
rows or joined end to end and worked in rounds. A slip
stitch joins both ends of a
row of chain stitches to create a ring or circle.
Single crochet: The first
chain stitch is skipped. The yarn is drawn through the stitch and
onto the hook. There are now
two loops on the hook. The yarn is brought over the hook
and drawn through both the
loops. A single crochet stitch is made and one loop remains
on the hook. Repeating the
process makes a row of single crochet stitches.
For double crochet the third
chain on the hook has to be taken. There is always one loop
left at a time on the hook
after a stitch has been completed. The index finger of the right
hand (for right-handers)
moves up and down to create an even tension of the yarn.
7. Product Range
The product range mainly
comprises laces, caps, bags, belts, table covers, bedspreads,
children’s garments and
skirts.
8. Changes
8.1. Technology
The tools and technique used
in crochet are very basic. All patterns require the use of
yarn and hook: fabric is
created by pulling loops of yarn through other loops with the
help of the hook. There has
been no change in the tools used.
8.2. Design
Responding to changing trends
and creating products that cater to a contemporary
domestic and international
market is a constant feature. Design innovation can be seen
in patterns, product range as
well as in the yarn itself. Crochet accessories like belts,
hats, bottle holders, etc are
new trends.
8.3. Market
Design intervention has
introduced new products that are becoming popular in the
urban markets. Crochet
accessories such as bags, caps, belts, etc are popular in urban
markets.
9. References
· www.wikipedia.org
· www.craftandartisans.com
· www.learntoknit.com
· www.worldknit.com
·
www.kullukarishma.com
