MICQ: The Mother India Crochet Queens an aptly named Facebook page was created by Subashri Natarajan, who spread the movement, the mission, and the challenge nationwide and overseas of creating the largest 'crochet blanket' to beat the earlier Guinness record set by South Africa at 3,377 sq. mts.
Subashri learnt about the South Africa's group effort in Guinness record breaking event held in April 2015 and decided that very moment that from India she will take up the challenge and attempt to break this record. She started working upon her idea in systematic way and approached Guinness committee and applied, registered for approval for the big project from March 2015 to July 2015 with series of correspondences and completed the formalities.Once the project was approved she thought of spreading it around in an orderly manner.
She created a Facebook page named MICQ, invited women of Indian origin from of our country and all over the world. 2500 women joined the group all held together by single thread of yarn literally.The only condition being she should be a crochet crafter.
So the crochet blanket creation dream project was born with a noble cause of donating the individual blankets after the record break to under privileged and the needy. Exactly this cause bought together thousands of ladies with a purpose in their mind and their fingers started deftly creating blankets quietly in the own confines of their homes.The real challenge was execution of the task to completion within this large group maintaining discipline and transparency an uphill task which Subashri carried out excellently.
With the support of her husband, her friends and most importantly with blessings of supreme power she initiated the project in Aug 2015.
The crochet pattern a traditional granny square of 40/40 inch, hook size 5mm, yarn 4 ply weightage and requirement was thought over with front runners within the group and announced and to strictly abide by it.
The logo for MICQ was designed by Neeraja Iyer. Photo collages as photo evidence were called from each participant and compiled in file form for better coordination. Queries and FAQ'S were addressed on a dedicated forum, newer announcements and updates were regularly being given by the head of MICQ. The stipulated time limit for completion and joining of the blanket by white yarn only was rolled out.
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THE JOURNEY... MICQ
What followed was a 'RAINBOW' of colours, support, culture, art, imagination, enthusiasm, hard work to name the few.This social cause empowered and strengthened the women and reinforced the belief in oneself with utmost confidence.This also dotted on world map the art of crochet craft taken up by women who were beginners and learnt it and the suave ones who have been doing it over a period.Successfully interconnected with each other the women within the group are fostering friendships. No words are enough to present the picture of MICQ family.This opened a pathway for new learners and innumerable possibilities of creation which can be evidently seen in platter at MICQ altar in the form of unique well thought out designs, colours, personal targets ranging from 1- 100, signature blankets.
I am pleased to know that Subashri for herself set a personal target of creating 100 baby blankets apart from handling the larger responsibilities of spearheading the mission and cause and encouraging others.
A special mention,
let us congratulate our darling young participants of age group 8-12 and our senior participants from 70-90 with reverence whose unfailing spirits motivated us all.
The coordinators formed within MICQ family at different regional and overseas centres for smooth functioning worked relentlessly tirelessly and silently with personal attention and dedication keeping aside personal trials.
The coordinators of all regions looked into every detail of the misssion and the blankets made at regional centres which were first joined and then all joined at chennai in big blanket The bigger blanket is of 49 no. each and joined in the making of 1 big blanket.
Similarly, the print and electonic media have been roped in to spread the movement which have proved to be important part of the mission and from time to time. The videos and interviews on different TV, radio channels were broadcast, telecast and articles appeared in magazines and newspapers.The infrastructure and the requirements for final event being taken care of by a team of people.
The backup and backstage team of our efficient work force who silently lent support to the cause is worth mentioning. we salute their spirit at all centres. Also the the yarn sellers like pradhan embroidery, ganga acrowool, knitpro, raja threads, kwality traders and many more sold their yarn at discounted price for this cause is worth appreciating.The sponsors for the cause put their whole might in MICQ mission.
The camaraderie within the sub groups while enjoying sumptuous snacks and lunches, coffee at the time of joining the blankets is evident.
The final event was held in MNM college in CHENNAI on 31st Jan 2016. The day before, a team of fast crocheters completed the joining of blankets into the big one.
Mr Pravin Patel the honorable official adjudicator of Guinness Committee took the measurements and verified the claim of new record and announced it officially at a grand event organised on 31st Jan 2016 in the presence of MICQ participants and guests.A proud moment for all Indians indeed.
The earlier guinness record held by South Africa has been shattered by our Indian team by huge margin and attained a name for our country in guinness book of world records The record breaking blanket measures at 11.148.5 square metre.
