More than just stich: Crochet weaving its way back into style
The sound of clinking crochet hooks is no longer just a memory of the past. It’s the rhythm of a resurging craft that’s making waves in fashion, art and beyond.
In the past, crochet was considered a dying art form, a quaint pastime left to grandmothers or hobbyists with a penchant for nostalgia. However, in recent years, crochet, that was once seen as old – fashioned is now enjoying a fresh wave of creativity, captivating younger generations and dominating social media.
The Airdrie Public Library offers a free crochet program every Wednesday evenings form 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is a registered program for six weeks, for kids aged eight to 13 or 14. The program has been successfully running for the past two years and the kids just keep coming back.
“The kids these days are very excited to do things and they are eager to learn how to crochet,” said Kim Parfitt, Programmer at the Airdrie Public Library.
The program offered proves that crochet is not just a hobby for grandmothers but also for kids and teenagers, irrespective of the gender. It is a great way to bring people together in a community.
“It’s amazing to watch them start from not knowing how to hold the hook to making those amazing projects,” said Parfitt.
Some of the most trending crochet patterns or designs these days are handmade crocheted stuffed animals, granny squares, hexagranny cardigans and mosaic knitting/crocheting.
Crochet is a craft that is fairly young, less than 200 years old. It has evolved tremendously, and people now use crochet for anything. It as also quite fascinating because you can find them on fashion runways in New York, London, and Paris, according to Caroline Sommerfeld, Owner, and Chief Yarn Officer of Ancient Arts Yarn+Dye Studio, Calgary.
Designers that include crochet in their collection illustrates that it indeed is a very important craft, not just a sideline or dime craft.
“That’s one of the unique things about it, that you can still only do it by hand. It cannot be imitated,” said Sommerfeld.
It is free form of art where you can create something without being rigid in terms of its construction. You can incorporate it into everything and anything.
“Crochet is actually considered right now to be one of the world’s number one most increasing crafts,” said Sommerfeld.
Having small crochet groups is an excellent way to build community and support local businesses.
The crochet industry has evolved in the past years, weaving its way through all the odds. It is also gaining popularity for its eco-friendly nature and recognition for its therapeutic qualities.
“With the heightened hype around crochet right now, it’s definitely going to stay around for a while,” said AnnaMarie Mozolik, Owner of Calgary Crochet Retreat and NICU Crochets Canada cruise.
Crochet is a thriving skill that gives you personal satisfaction and adds joy to your life. It has become more of an artistic expression that blends creativity, sustainability, and self-expression. A craft that was once thought to be fading into history has made a remarkable comeback.
The following audio is a conversation with Caroline Sommerfeld, Owner and Chief Yarn Officer at Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts, Calgary.
This is an interesting podcast that gives us an insight about what Crochet is and a lot more about it. Caroline has shared some amazing and fascinating facts that one might not know about the art. The interview discusses about crochet and its role in fostering community and how it has evolved with modern technology. It also explains techniques and patterns that are used by people. Crocheting is both a creative and social activity that brings joy to people’s life.