Koniakow, the 500-year-old village in a strongly conservative southwest part of Poland that produced Pope John Paul II, is almost totally unreachable during wintertime, particularly heavy in terms of snowfalls. For two centuries, the women have hooked thread in intricate crochet patterns to create lace tablecloths and altar ornaments coveted by royalty across Europe. It was an art taught by mothers to daughters, done at home after the daily farming chores were finished, bringing honor and income to the small local population.

Then came sexy crochet lingerie: bras and G-strings. Last fall, some lace makers trying to earn money spun a racy twist to the art, deciding that underwear would sell better than doilies. Since, the town of 3,000 has been in an uproar, neighbor pitted against neighbor over lace thongs.

"Lace making has always been a way for people to earn money here," says the 56-year-old mayor of the village, "But since the strings started, the community has been divided: about money, about morality, about tradition."

Lace making in Koniakow began in the 19th century when young women began creating caps of white lace to don after their weddings. Soon after, say lace makers, women in the town began to weave tablecloths, altar ornaments, clergy robe collars and other ornaments that adorn Polish religious and family occasions, as a way to supplement their income.

During communist times, business was good. The community was supported by the state in official craft guilds and subsidized as a nationally recognized art. Orders poured in from state-run stores, prominent officials wanting to use them to present as official gifts and clergy who used the lace in ceremonies and on their clothing. Things changed when communism collapsed in the late 1980s. The government subsidies stopped and state-store orders dried up. People became poorer as they lost state jobs in the former planned-economy.

The suddent shift from religious ornaments to sexy lingerie, was noted by major news sources worldwide. Magazines as reputable as The Chicago Tribune and the New York Times covered the topic and around that time the crochet lingerie made in Koniakow have began being available online. Each pair can be made to a customer's specifications of color and design. Although the lingerie is definitely feminine, it stirs interest among men as well, being unique and sophisticated romantic gift ideas.

The most recent addition to the offering for the beach freaks are crochet bikini sets made in a variety of shapes and colors.