Memories of Achchi's crochet

By Ayesha R. Rafiq

If some of you are lucky enough, you may actu- ally have been able to save those old crocheted blouses, table-runners and place settings that your grandmother might have lovingly knitted a long time ago.

Crochet is now a dying art and rarely will you come across an exquisite piece of work incorporating crochet into it.

But on September 11 at Galle Face Hotel you will be able to feast your eyes and grab a number of good bargains, when the Good Shepherd Convent of Balangoda displays its handwoven crocheted table linen, cushion covers, blouses and smocked nightdresses, and also handwoven bed linen, towels, and handloom fabrics.

The work is turned out by some 400 women who are trained by the convent, which is headed by Mother Superior Mary Dominic, who has wide experience in needlework.

The women between the ages of 16-40 are trained for six months, and are then ready to start producing the crocheted work for which they are paid piecemeal. On average they earn about Rs. 3500 a month.

The convent has been training girls to crochet and sew for the past 25 years, and the women do all the sewing and weaving themselves.

The material is dyed and woven by them, and they usually take about six-ten days to complete for example, a set of table linen.

The prices are reasonable, a six seater table linen set complete with crochet table mats and serviettes will cost between Rs. 1000 to Rs. 1250, while two single bed sheets with two pillow cases may cost about Rs. 500.

While the designs are pretty and colourful if you can't find exactly what you're looking for, you can always place orders incorporating a mix of the designs that are available with them.

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