CROTCHET LACE (CROCHET LACE) OF NARSAPUR

Narsapur is a small town of 55,000 population approx. on the Eastern Coast of India (Bay of Bengal).

Women in the surrounding towns and villages work as agricultural labour. Seeing their deprivation during dry season, Christian missionaries operating in the area started encouraging them to knit cotton lace using crochets (crotchets - stainless steel needles) and hands. The women started the knitting work in small groups in their thatched houses. The lace work gives them succour during times of utmost needs. Using crochet lace goods made at Narsapur,

1. eco-friendly.
2. helps in poverty alleviation of women.

The lace comes in intricately woven designs, using deft hands.

Now, both missionaries and cottage industries and traders collect the lace goods from women and export to countries like Australia, New Zealand, European countries and North America.

Considering that 1 US $ will fetch about Indian Rs. 46/-, the Dollar prices of the laces may be very cheap.

Some examples of lace goods:

1. table tops
2. window and door curtains.
3. wall panels and decorators
4. room separators and screens.
5. bed sheets.
6. chair covers.

Here is a link to a Government of Andhra Pradesh, Tourism Corporation web site to have a glimpse of the crochet lace work.

AP TOURISM

A google search on the subject of crotchet/crochet will yield about 600 web pages.

Narsapur crochet lace goods may be available in US also.