By Theophilla Uwase
Crochet, a textile art typically associated with the older generation, has recently got young adults hooked. Crochet is anything but new; it has been around for centuries and is credited to ancient Egypt, China, Turkey, India, and even Native Americans.
The textile art got its first recognition in the West during the 19th century when Queen Victoria began to wear it to provide sustenance to farmers suffering from the potato famine.
And in this TikTok era, the trend has come back. The hashtag crochet has been viewed nearly 22 billion times on TikTok. The trend of crochet has been embraced by celebrities such as Harry Styles, Katty Perry, Michael B Jordan, and Olympian Tom Daley, who wears and crafts an art cousin of Crochet knitting.
Crochet as a trend doesn’t end on TikTok, it has made its way into movie wardrobes. As a crochet artist and a movie lover, I can spot anything crochet at a glance. Latest series such as Never Have I Ever, Wednesday, and Sex Education, have welcomed crocheted clothes in their scenes. Luxury fashion brands such as Dolce and Gabbana, Fendi, and Bottega Veneta have got their eyes on Crochet accessories and clothes.
Before we continue, note this: crochet and knitting are two separate crafts. Crochet uses a single hook to pull loops of yarn through other loops. The hook is held in the dominant hand, and the yarn is held in the opposite hand.
Knitting uses two long needles to form loops, moving a set of loops from one needle to another. Knitting fabric is softer and flexible, with smaller holes, so it would be warmer while crochet patterns are more intricate than knitting patterns because they use more stitches and locations for those stitches to create more creative patterns.
The art goes beyond entertainment. For many, it is therapy and a way to keep the mind and hands busy. Famous politicians and public figures like US Vice President Kamala Harris, Michelle Obama, and Rosey Grier turn to the hook and yarn to rewind and get creative.
Jonah Larson has made news as “the genius crochet kid.” He says crochet helps with hand dexterity since he plans to become a surgeon. In the meantime, he uses crochet to make an impact in Ethiopia, where he was adopted from. His parents help him to sell his crochet pieces and so far, the money has helped build a well-equipped school in rural Ethiopia, where Jonah was adopted from.
Crochet is also incredibly therapeutic; research shows that the repetition of complex stitches releases serotonin, a natural anti-depressant. The sense of accomplishment at the end of a crochet project improves self-esteem and self-confidence, both essential for stress management. So, if you want to reduce that anxiety, get a crochet hook.
Crochet comeback can’t be credited to celebrities alone. Many people like myself picked up crochet as a hobby during the pandemic. I had just finished high school when the first lockdown was announced. With so much time on my hands and so little to do, I got a crochet hook and a ball of yarn and turned to YouTube. I began to learn stitches and made small projects, and before I knew it, I was making money.
People around the world were crocheting to pass the time during the pandemic, too. Many showcased their creation on social media platforms. Fast forward to the post-pandemic, if you crochet, people don’t ask why you are doing grandma stuff; they usually ask: “Can you make me something?” and pull up photos of trendy pieces.
Crochet could be the savior Mother Earth needs
What kept me crocheting even after the pandemic and with so much school work to do was how well Crochet integrates with sustainability. Crochet fits nicely into the concept of circularity, making sure everything we own stays in use.
The whole process of crocheting anything is zero waste; it is very easy to upcycle old crochet garments or any other clothes like a pair of jeans; I simply add crochet to it. In other words, you can wear one thread in many different forms and attires for decades.
And have I mentioned the money? I have been doing crochet for a little over a year, and I haven’t been without a project a single time. I always get to work on customized styles and patterns, chosen by different people. I always have interesting garments to work on for clients. I can’t remember when my mobile money account was dormant.
In December 2022, I participated in a Circular Economy Hackathon for The World Circular Economy Forum and won a $1000 laptop and cash prize. My project, which I still plan to realize, was to teach crochet to unemployed single mothers, collaborate with schools, and give them a source of income while we recycle school uniform sweaters.
Theophilla Uwase is a crocheter and a circular economy enthusiast.
