Feature image courtesy: Gul Jaipur

If you had told an Indian grandmother 10 years ago that her crochet hook would one day become a wedding essential, she might have laughed you out of the living room. Crochet was supposed to belong to sweaters, cushion covers, and slightly lopsided dolls that nobody wanted to wash.

Yet, in 2025, this humble hook-and-yarn craft has made its way into the centre of one of the most symbolic wedding rituals: the varmala.

Now imagine this: instead of tossing your varmala into the compost bin, you hang it on your bedroom wall, frame it like art, or even pass it down like an heirloom. No dried petals, no smell of fading roses, just soft, colourful yarn flowers, stitched lovingly by hand.

Crochet varmalas are turning one of India’s oldest wedding rituals into something playful, sustainable, and ever so slightly Pinterest-worthy.

Yes, you read that right. The sacred garland exchange, long dominated by fresh roses, marigolds and orchids, is now being reimagined in cotton yarns, pearl beads, and pastel threads. Crochet varmalas are the new stars of sustainable weddings, and they are fast gaining ground with couples who want a keepsake that lasts far beyond the pheras.

From Instagram feeds to destination weddings, this handcrafted alternative is being embraced by brides and grooms, who are looking for something personal, unique, and environmentally conscious.

But how did this trend, equal parts quirky and sentimental, take root?

A garland that never wilts

For Ananya Malhotra, founder of Enchanted Threads, the idea sprouted from a simple observation. “People were already preserving their varmalas in resin art. I thought, why not preserve the entire thing instead of just parts of it?” she says.

At first, the concept raised eyebrows. Could yarn really replace the fragrance and grandeur of roses?

“The response was mixed,” Ananya admits. “Some people loved the concept of forever sustainable varmalas, whereas others still preferred fresh flowers because of their elegance. It took time for people to warm up, but now we’re seeing far more queries compared to last year.”

Much of this surge, she explains, comes from the diaspora.

“Mostly, the NRIs are really loving the concept. It has this delicate, niche quality and connects them back to their heritage. They also appreciate the custom options, different flowers, pearls, and colour schemes, which allow them to personalise in a way fresh flowers often can’t.”

A single crochet varmala takes between 14 to 20 hours to complete, depending on the design. The process begins with careful planning: the right flower size, the right colours, the right balance of pearls and embellishments. Once the........

© The Better India