An English Literature student from Srinagar’s Sher-e-Khas, Nazar Nasir Naik has been breaking stereotypes with his crocheting. Nazar, known as “Male Crocheter of Kashmir”, took a liking to the craft art during an unrest in 2016 when his aunt was knitting a sweater. He infused a new life in the orthodox style of knotting with his innovative and stylish crochet products, which are creative masterpieces. He feels that one has to always work around the traditional designs to create a new attractive product line.

For people in Kashmir, this craft is traditionally reserved for the women folk. But it is very unusual to see a male taking up this craft. Despite what people, especially his relatives, had to say about him taking up the craft, Nazar has continued creating wonders in crochet. Explaining that the chain is the foundation on which you can build anything, he has mastered stitches and graphs. He adds that crochet is not just a small business venture for him but also an escape… its therapeutic. It has helped him deal with his condition of PSVT.

There are eight different sizes of hooks used in crochet, but only one is available in Kashmir. He has had to struggle to get the raw material in Kashmir. Most of it he has had to order online. Nazar is now also foraying in to knitting garments for adults and children.

Although he should have been approached by the  J&K Government, instead he was asked by the Madhya Pradesh Government for conducting a workshop on Crochet craft.