The Modern Trend Making Crochet Cool Again

The Modern Trend Making Crochet Cool Again

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Posted 2022-06-22 by Gillian Chingfollow
Crochet can sometimes be associated with vintage, boho and Grandma style as being old-fashioned but modern fashion interpretations along with a little star power are making crochet cool again.



As we embrace winter, the mornings are cooler, the nights are colder and all we long for is that cosy feeling of being snug and warm with woollen pieces of clothing to ward off the chills.

Many on-trend fashionistas are turning to chunky woollen crochet vests, cardigans and jumpers to layer out the breeze.

What is crochet?
Crochet is a form of art that uses a single hook to create interlocking loops of yarn, twine, thread or cotton to create a fabric. The word crochet is taken from the French word croche which means hook. The hooks come in a range of sizes and will determine the dimension of what you are creating from very, very fine to more open stitching.

The history of crochet
Crochet is believed to have originated in Arabia before moving eastward to Tibet and then to Spain, from where it followed the Arab trade routes to other Mediterranean countries. Crochet can also be traced to South America, where a primitive tribe was said to have used crochet adornments in rites of passage.



Through these ancient traditions, it has continued to evolve but remain a centrepiece of textile design.

Famous crochet makers
If you thought crochet had not moved beyond Grandma circles, think again. Singer Katy Perry, actress Alyssa Milano and even the US Vice President Kamala Harris all crochet.

Katy Perry's granny square dress is one of her well-known pieces which she wore on the TV show, American Idol. She once said, "I was at Liberty yesterday and they have this big crocheting aisle ' everyone else that's cool was in the designer clothes area and I was just like 'ooh look at all these yarns, I love it'."

Famous crochet wearers
Over the last 2 years, there has been an international re-vitalisation of handmade woollen vests with fashionistas and models like Kendall Jenner and Bella and Gigi Hadid often seen sporting a crocheted fashion jumper or vest. Even former One Direction singer Harry Styles is well known colourful square sweater has been an internet sensation.

My Experience With Crochet
With this fashion growing trend and winter winds bringing cooler temperatures, I decided to pick up a hook, buy a ball of wool and try crochet for myself. My mother was an avid knitter. For as long as I can remember, she had a knitting bag and would twist the turn the needles and create some amazing items, so I had some heritage in craft.



I decided to make a vest since I could wear the result and some neck scarves for my dogs. Everyone wants to stay warm, right? Online tutorials make it easier these days to learn a craft with tutorials, makers groups and suppliers all available with one click.



Some of the basic stitches are chain, double crochet, and treble. Once you have some basic mastery of these, you are generally on your way. After some perseverance, unpicking some little mistakes and getting more comfortable with twisting the hook, soon a winter vest began to emerge. Keeping the right tension so that stitches were not too loose was something I needed to be mindful of. Working with essentially one evolving stitch made it a little easier for me than knitting.

Feeling very proud of my result and being able to say "I made it myself" has made me, well…..hooked on crochet. One-piece has grown to several.



Crochet, it seems is not only fun but also good for your health, offering the following benefits:

• reduces the risk of Alzheimer's
• decreases stress and anxiety
• helps with asleep
• aids mindful breathing
• makes you feel productive


#vintage_retro
#quirky
#pop_culture
#needlework
#learn_something
#fun_things_to_do
#art_and_craft_centres
%wneverywhere
83388 - 2023-06-11 06:41:18

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