spiritual musings, My crochet love

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