Artigo Completo:

This paper presents the development of a Master’s degree research project, which deals with thetrade of crochet and the values relate to the knowhow of the artificer, focusing on the work of womencrocheters from the southern regions of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Assuming the principle that thevaluation of the knowhow of a community contributes to the continuance of the tradition; to the constructionof identity and the affirmation of subject and culture; as well as to the valuation of the product stemming fromthis trade, this study seeks to investigate in what way this knowhow can add value to a group of craftswomenfrom the southern regions of Minas Gerais. This investigation is presented as an action research, given thatthe researcher, herself a crocheter, brings with her the knowhow of a group of craftswomen with whom shehas established partnerships in the production and commercialization of crochet pieces. A bibliographicsurvey was conducted regarding this knowhow in the spheres of intangible heritage and of this group ofwomen, focusing on the handcrafts, on the tradition, on the feminine, and on the meeting. Data collectionperformed in the field was conducted through semi-structured interviews directed at this group of crochetcraftswomen. The partial results obtained illustrate the importance of the meetings among these women,favoring the exchange of knowledge and the continuance of the tradition, as well as the economic aspectsrelated to income generation through the trade of these handcrafts.