Crochet Lace

Introduced in the middle of the 19th Century to provide employment to the poverty-striken women of the area, lace work was, to start with, sent to friends and relatives abroad as gifts which were highly appreciated.  Starting with a mere dozen designs, the local skills were used to evolve as many as 300 designs over the years which speaks of the high artistic sense of the artisans.  The raw materials and implements required for this industry are simple, consisting of only a hooked needle and cotton thread.  The thread used is twisted mercerised cotton yarn made out of superior grade cotton.  The craft is carried on by thousands of women working part time at their homes in Narsapur and Palakol areas of West Godavari District and Razole Taluka of East Godavri District.

Articles produced include those that are wholly lace, as well as those in which lace work is used as decorative insertions in cloth.