Crocheting

History

Millions of children, teenagers, and adults have discovered crochet over the years. The attraction may be the airiness of many traditional crochet patterns, or the relative ease of learning basic stitches. Crochet can be used to craft almost anything that can be knitted, including scarves, sweaters, purses, potholders, and many other items. It can be done in a social setting and is portable, two more reasons for its popularity.

The origin of crochet leaves much to the imagination. Some scholars believe it may have developed from tambouring, an early type of needlecraft that spread from China, India, and other countries to Europe in the eighteenth century. While tambouring required a fabric background for the looped stitches, the French dropped the background and named the new craft "crochet," meaning "hook."

Other scholars believe crochet derived from "naalebinding," a Danish term for "crossed knitting" or single-needle knitting, which is now believed to be the oldest method for producing clothing with loops. Examples of naalebinding date to the sixth century BCE in Judea. The technique spread to Scandinavia, where it survived for centuries before evolving into both knitting and crocheting.

Crochet hooks were originally made from bone, and there is some evidence that nuns in Italy and Ireland used ivory hooks to crochet lace products during the sixteenth century.

Regardless of its roots, crocheting became quite popular in Europe in the nineteenth century. While knitting was used most often for clothing, crochet used finer threads of silk and linen and became associated primarily with household products. It replaced traditional lacemaking techniques when women determined that a doily could be crocheted faster and more economically. Crocheted lace became a cottage industry and a valued craft that was handed down from mother to daughter.

In the United States, patterns for pillow case edgings, doilies, lace collars, and other items appeared in magazines and books in the 1840s. Soon after, crochet was added to school curricula for girls.

While some crocheted items may have a lacier appearance than knitted items, crochet can reproduce most knit patterns and also form thick, warm fabric. Tapestry crochet is one "tight" style used to produce goods that need to hold their shape, including hats, purses, and bookmarks. It developed in some regions of Europe, Africa, and South America, and then spread to the United States on a wave of interest in indigenous crafts.

There are dozens of other crochet styles around the world. Tunisian crochet (also known as Afghan crochet, tricot crochet, or shepherd's knitting) is worked with long hooks without ever turning the fabric. Filet crochet is a graphical method of creating intricate designs such as lace tablecloths. Bead crochet is used primarily for creating purses and jewelry, and became popular in the nineteenth century.

Crochet has experienced periodic popular revivals over the years. The last occurred in the 1960s, when brightly-colored "granny squares" were used to make vests, wide belts, and other items.

Other Materials

• Patterns
• Small, sharp scissors
• Tapestry needle
• Measuring gauge
• Sewing supplies
• Row counters
• Stitch markers
• Container or basket for supplies
• Plastic bags, to keep yarn clean and organized
• Notions for specific projects (buttons, beads and sequins, belt buckles, purse frames, etc.)

Techniques

Crochet patterns use abbreviations that can be confusing to beginners. For example, "ch" means chain, "dc" stands for double crochet, and "inc" means to increase the number of stitches.

Beginners should use the correct crochet hook and type of yarn suggested by a pattern; if either is substituted, the new gauge can be adjusted by measuring the number of stitches per inch in a sample row or two.

To achieve straight edges, maintain an even tension and place the hook in the proper stitch at the ends of each row.

Yarn endings should be woven throughout the crocheted piece using a needle or crochet hook.

Always buy enough yarn to finish a project, due to differences between dye lots.

Read the labels on yarn to determine how best to wash crocheted garments. When in doubt, dry clean or hand wash in cold water and dry flat.

Trends

In the early twenty-first century, many people began to embrace the tradition of making rather than buying once more. This led to an increased interest in learning crafts such as crocheting, which allows for the making of individualized, unique items such as apparel. Personalized crocheted items became increasingly popular (and economical) as gifts for all occasions. The craft had also become more accessible by that point, with instructions available online and video tutorials supplied by sites such as YouTube; additionally, a variety of patterns, including free versions, are shared online.

Along with the trend toward mixed-media arts and crafts, contemporary crocheters are employing many other techniques and materials. Crocheted wire jewelry, bead crocheting, felted crocheted purses, slippers, and stuffed animals are just a few examples of taking the craft beyond the hook and yarn. With smartphones essentially ubiquitous, crocheters have also developed patterns for cell phone cases and fingerless gloves that can be worn while using a touchscreen.

Crocheted embellishments for other items, including appliqués and edgings for purses, sweaters, dresses, and shawls are popular. Another trend is "free form crochet," which produces a variety of patterns, colors, and textures in one project. Free form crochet is an excellent way to use up yarn remnants.

Scarves continue to be one of the most popular items to crochet, not only because they are fashionable and easy to make, but also because the wide variety of yarns and crochet patterns allow for a good deal of self-expression.

Crocheting for Fun vs. Profit

There are many opportunities to sell crocheted items, including at craft fairs and through online shops such as Etsy. However, with so many people crocheting these days, successful products will offer something unique and be priced competitively. Clothing styles, colors, and yarns go in and out of fashion quickly, requiring crocheters to keep up with trends. Stuffed animals, household items, and scarves tend to be the best sellers among crocheted products.

Learning More

Organizations

Craft Yarn Council <http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/>

The National Needle Arts Association <http://www.tnna.org/>

The Crochet Guild of America <http://www.crochet.org/>

Books

Crandall-Frazier, Cindy. Single Crochet for Beginners. Krause, 2005.

Tracy, Gloria, and Susan Levin. Crochet Your Way. Taunton, 2000.