Home-based Crochet Programs Create Livelihoods and Empower Women in India

According to CraftsAQ/Mon Ami Foundation, author Apratim Banerjee, "The Crochet Movement, supported by funded projects for women through CSR partnerships like the HCL Foundation under the HCL Uday program, is transforming lives across the National Capital Region (NCR), Delhi." Mon Ami states the program has "over 500 trained women artisans" who are "primarily migrants or from low-income families" and who "work from the safety and comfort of their homes," collaborating through self-help groups, and the foundation lists contact@monamifoundation.com for partnerships and inquiries.

The national frame for these local programs appears in broader commentary: a senior editor at The New Indian Express wrote on March 8 that "crochet is weaving hope, creativity, and economic opportunities," and highlighted the craft’s expanding "role in livelihoods" and how it "ties into broader empowerment narratives." That piece places the Mon Ami initiative and other local efforts inside a wider shift toward craft-led income generation across India.

Antimakhanna provides cultural depth from the west coast: "Originating centuries ago, crochet has deep roots in Indian culture, with intricate patterns and designs passed down through generations," and in Goa the craft "has evolved into a vibrant art form, reflecting the coastal charm and laid-back lifestyle of the region." Antimakhanna documents styles "from delicate lacework to colorful mandalas," noting that Goa’s scene "offers a diverse array of styles and techniques, each telling its own story."

Antimakhanna also names a local institution: "Established in 1980, The Industrial Handicrafts and Handloom Cooperative Society Ltd (IHHCSL) stands as a beacon of empowerment for women, preserving the Portuguese art of crochet while providing livelihoods from the comfort of home." That account connects heritage preservation to home-based livelihoods and points to cooperative structures as a vehicle for sustaining both craft and income in Goa.

Market links and training opportunities appear across the sources. Antimakhanna reports that "local markets and craft fairs brim with handmade crochet treasures, attracting tourists and collectors eager to acquire these unique pieces as mementos of their time spent in Goa," and that Goa offers workshops "conducted by seasoned artisans" and "community-driven initiatives focused on preserving traditional crafts." Mon Ami emphasizes cooperative practice and "equitable growth and financial independence" through self-help groups for women artisans in the NCR.

Taken together, the accounts map a two-track landscape: cultural preservation in Goa, anchored by IHHCSL and craft fairs, and organized, CSR-supported skill-building in Delhi’s NCR, with Mon Ami reporting more than 500 trained home-based artisans. As organizations such as Mon Ami and institutions like IHHCSL scale training and market links, these sources indicate crochet is evolving from a heritage art into a structured pathway for livelihood and empowerment across regions.