One of Diaspora Girl's most popular styles is Belladonna ($39.95 plus shipping and handling). Hand-crocheted from cotton and cashmere, it is wrapped by a band of iridescent lilac embroidered with tiny sequined purple flowers.

"The women most attracted to my product are women who are trying to find their niche in the Jewish world without giving up their individuality," says Rina Baraz Nehdar, 36. Nehdar is the woman behind Diaspora Girl, a company specializing in funky and feminine kippot.

The kippot are crocheted from cotton and/or cashmere and adorned with beads, sequins, ribbon and other materials. The styles feature such fanciful names as "Dreamcatcher," "Japanese Blossom," "Goldilocks" and "Belladonna." Aside from being attractive, their open weave makes them cooler to wear than hats and prevents "hat hair."

A journalist and health educator who has traversed the world speaking to children, parents and teachers about substance-abuse prevention, Baraz began to rethink her busy travel schedule when she recently married and gained a young stepson. The desire to have more time at home, plus her growing connection to Judaism, led to the birth of Diaspora Girl.

Baraz creates the designs herself and then has them crafted in Sri Lanka by women whose village was severely damaged in the 2004 tsunami. "They make the kippot between their domestic duties and then pool the money they receive to buy things the village needs," she explains.

Women from around the world have called Baraz, thrilled to discover Diaspora Girl products online. "I want to attract women of all ages who are young in spirit," she says. Go to www.diasporagirl.com to see all the styles or call 877-595-2479.