History of History of CrochetCrochet

Why Knit or Crochet?Why Knit or Crochet?

It has a calming effect -- helps relieve It has a calming effect -- helps relieve stress. stress.

It feels good to work with beautiful It feels good to work with beautiful yarn colors and textures. yarn colors and textures.

It’s a social activity to share with It’s a social activity to share with your friends and family. your friends and family.

Provides a sense of accomplishment Provides a sense of accomplishment when you complete a project. when you complete a project.

KnitKnit

Knitting has long been the favorite technique Knitting has long been the favorite technique for garment-making because of the detailing for garment-making because of the detailing and color patterning that is possible, and the and color patterning that is possible, and the supple, drape-able fabric the stitches produce. supple, drape-able fabric the stitches produce.

The two basic stitches--knit and purl--can be The two basic stitches--knit and purl--can be worked alone or together and form the basis of worked alone or together and form the basis of dozens of designs as well as other stitches. dozens of designs as well as other stitches.

CrochetCrochet

Crochet is an extremely versatile and popular Crochet is an extremely versatile and popular technique for making a variety of fashion and technique for making a variety of fashion and home decor accessories. home decor accessories.

By combining basic crochet stitches and By combining basic crochet stitches and lighter weight or softer yarns, you create a lighter weight or softer yarns, you create a delicate, drape-able fabric; a thicker yarn delicate, drape-able fabric; a thicker yarn produces a sturdy fabric. produces a sturdy fabric.

Beautiful textured and raised stitches are Beautiful textured and raised stitches are especially easy to make in crochet. especially easy to make in crochet.

Crochet ProcessCrochet Process

Crocheted stitches are created with a single Crocheted stitches are created with a single hook, working in the top loops of the previous hook, working in the top loops of the previous row, and essentially twisting the thread in a row, and essentially twisting the thread in a constant looping series.constant looping series.

Crochet BeginningsCrochet Beginnings

““Crochet” is French for “Hook”Crochet” is French for “Hook” Yes, it is repetitive to say “Crochet Hook”, Yes, it is repetitive to say “Crochet Hook”,

because we are really saying “Hook, Hook”because we are really saying “Hook, Hook” Historians disagree as to when Crochet came Historians disagree as to when Crochet came

into being, as no records or artifacts exist prior into being, as no records or artifacts exist prior to the 1800sto the 1800s

Earliest EvidenceEarliest Evidence

Nålebinding - Danish for “needle-binding”Nålebinding - Danish for “needle-binding” These 4These 4thth Century sandal socks were Century sandal socks were

discovered in Egypt, and were worn by discovered in Egypt, and were worn by Coptic ChristiansCoptic Christians

A cross between A cross between

knitting and crochetingknitting and crocheting

Similar TechniquesSimilar Techniques

Pamir Jurabs – thick socks in crochet-like Pamir Jurabs – thick socks in crochet-like mannermanner

Tambouring – Chinese chaining technique on Tambouring – Chinese chaining technique on fabricfabric

Finger Crochet – no hooks utilizedFinger Crochet – no hooks utilized

Queen Victoria’s Stamp of ApprovalQueen Victoria’s Stamp of Approval

1800s sees crochet as a cheaper, 1800s sees crochet as a cheaper, quicker alternative to making quicker alternative to making lacelace

Viewed as for the lower-classes, Viewed as for the lower-classes, until Queen Victoria purchased until Queen Victoria purchased some Irish crochet, learned the some Irish crochet, learned the techniques herself, and began a techniques herself, and began a campaign to send crocheted campaign to send crocheted mufflers (scarves) to soldiers in mufflers (scarves) to soldiers in the Boer Warthe Boer War

Edwardian AgeEdwardian Age

Fashion demanded Fashion demanded masses of lace – masses of lace – usually white – which usually white – which could be produced could be produced easily and easily and economically at home economically at home through crochetthrough crochet

1930s1930s

Art Deco was all the rage, and crochet was Art Deco was all the rage, and crochet was used primarily for children and babies used primarily for children and babies garments, christening gowns, gloves and garments, christening gowns, gloves and blankets. blankets.

The Great Depression prompted more The Great Depression prompted more economical means of producing goods for the economical means of producing goods for the home and to wearhome and to wear

WW IIWW II

Yarn was rationed during World War IIYarn was rationed during World War II Crochet used slightly more yarn than knittingCrochet used slightly more yarn than knitting The government printed knitting patterns to The government printed knitting patterns to

encourage the manufacture of items for the encourage the manufacture of items for the militarymilitary

Crochet seemed to be doomed as wastefulCrochet seemed to be doomed as wasteful

1960s & 1970s1960s & 1970s

Crochet surges back into popularity, this time Crochet surges back into popularity, this time with bright colors and thicker yarnswith bright colors and thicker yarns

1980s1980s

Crochet takes a nose-dive, as the economy Crochet takes a nose-dive, as the economy improves and consumers seek manufactured, improves and consumers seek manufactured, store-bought goodsstore-bought goods

Crochet and Knitting are eliminated from Crochet and Knitting are eliminated from school curriculum, and with no one to teach it school curriculum, and with no one to teach it and no generation to learn, it appeared both and no generation to learn, it appeared both skills might be extinctskills might be extinct

TodayToday Both Crochet and Knitting are enjoying a renaissanceBoth Crochet and Knitting are enjoying a renaissance Nostalgic adults have a desire to recapture their Nostalgic adults have a desire to recapture their

childhood memories of grandmothers working with childhood memories of grandmothers working with hook and needleshook and needles

Celebrities embrace needlework in fashion and in Celebrities embrace needlework in fashion and in their personal livestheir personal lives