Crochet and Beadwork of Tamil Nadu

Crochet and beadwork are practiced in the Auroville and Kottakarai cluster that falls under the Viluppuram district in Tamil Nadu. The construction of fabric with interlocking loops and chain stitches using a hooked needle and thread is called crochet.

Lace and crochet embroidery were introduced in Tamil Nadu by Dutch and Portuguese missionaries. Chetipani is the basic type of crochet usually done by a beginner in the craft cluster. Athakupani or joint attachment is the type in which different types of flower designs inspired from floral, almond and date motifs are dextrously combined to form patterns with an outstanding usage of imagination.

In Auroville, crochet is used to make footwear, garments, hats, and lampshades. Crochet shoes are flexible and soft and the structure is porous which allows the feet to breathe during summer. Thus, crochet is used for creating flat surfaces and three-dimensional forms.

Beads are used as embellishments or decorations. Glass beads of a variety of shapes and colours are strung together and stitched onto the surface. They are also crocheted, knitted and braided during the respective processes. Beads are mainly used on soft suede leather bags, in jewellery, in crocheted lampshades, and as edge details in various items.