These intricate and durable items with geometric designs can be found hanging like rainbows in flea markets, through the windows, glistening in the sun.
For Goa in particular, crochet was brought in by the Portuguese missionaries and nuns in around the 15th Century.
Through the process of crocheting, fabric is created by interlocking loops of strips of any material, like cotton, wool or even plastic, using a crochet hook. Although it is similar to knitting, here geometrical and floral motifs are mostly preferred.
The slipknot loop is placed on the hook from a single thread and is inter-looped by means of a hook in such a way that a new stitch is made by drawing thread through the previous stitch, and repeating this process to create a chain of suitable length. The chain is either turned and worked in rows or joined to the beginning of the row with a slipstitch and worked in rounds. Pulling one or more loops through each loop of the chain makes stitches. At any one time at the end of a stitch, there is only one loop left on the hook.
Products like flowerpot holders, lamp mats and shades,, tablecloths, purses, men’s caps, rugs placed under the tables, pillow covers, coasters, table cloths, mats, door hangings, bed covers. In garments crochet scarves, dupattas, skirts, shrugs, dresses, tops, stoles and many more are made for contemporary use.