Men in the Dawoodi Bohra community proudly wear intricately crocheted caps that are completely handmade by women in their families. The caps are made using a fine crochet technique with white cotton or nylon string and golden yarn. They range in circumference from 19 to 23 inches depending on the wearer's age. The women make the caps using a plastic or aluminum frame, following a spiral pattern and incorporating symmetrical geometric or floral motifs. Sitting together, the women refer to pattern books and friendly compete to make the most beautiful and intricate caps.

1. B Y : -
S A K I N A Z A H I D T M M - 1
Z A R A Z A H E E R T S - 1
GRADE JUMP ASSIGNMENT

2.  A mark of identity, in
rich gold and white,
crowns the head of
a Bohra man, whether he
is dressed up for prayer, or
participating in
festivities, or just going
to work. Men in
the Dawoodi
Bohra community proudly
wear intricately crocheted
caps made by women in
their families.

3.  Crochet is the
technique of fabric
construction by puling
loops of yarns
though other loops,
using a special hook

4.  The Bohra caps are
completely made by
hand, using this method.
A plastic or aluminum
vessel of the required
size is used as a frame
for making the cap.
Caps range from a
circumference of 19” to 23”,
depending on the age of
the wearer. Little caps for
babies just a couple of
months old are also made.

5.  Unlike regular crochet, which is
made with wool or acrylic
yarns and has an open
structure, the crochet on these
caps is very fine and close
knit. The women use white kite
string cotton or nylon,
with golden yarn that is
known as kasab. Caps made
for festive occasions may have
a lot of kasab work,
sometimes with very little white
visible. No other colour is used
on the caps, except an
occasional touch of black or
green on the borders.


6.  Both the yarns and the crochet
hook are very fine, making the
process tedious, but the final
outcome is impeccably intricate.
The stiffness of the yarns also
helps in maintaining the shape of
the cap. Starting from the
centre of the top of the cap,
they follow a spiral pattern of
stitching, incorporating various
motifs in perfect composition
and symmetry. While common
motifs are geometrical or
stylized florals.

8.  Sitting together in the
daytime, women of a
community refer to pattern
books and make beautiful
motifs on these caps.
There is a friendly
competition of who can
make the most beautiful, or
the most intricate cap.
Stitch by stitch, as they
build the spiral, beautiful
designs in gold form and
slowly the headgear, the
identity of the Bohris, takes
shape.