Crochet and Lace Work of Daman and Diu

Crochet and lace work is imparted as a domestic skill by mothers to daughters and compulsory in schools of Daman. The community of Portuguese and Christian women is famous for their crochet, shadow work, cutwork, satin stitch, cross stitch and long stitch embroidery. They stitch their own clothes including bed linen, table linen, doilies, altar pieces and covers. The traditional Christian wedding trousseau is stitched usually by the mother and daughter in cream or beige colours on a soft cotton fabric. Floral motifs including tulips, grapes, cherries and strawberries are used since they are symbolic representation of good luck and fortune. Popular colours are pastels shades, blue, pink, yellow, white, red, lemon, maroon and purple. Presently women skilled in this craft take orders from other members of community for commercial purposes.  Tools used in this technique are needles, scissors, threads and crochet hook.