More than just a stitch: Crochet weaving its way back into style
The sound of clinking crochet hooks is no longer just a memory of the past. Its’s the rhythm of a resurging craft that’s making waves in fashion, art and beyond.
“The kids these days are very excited to do things and they are eager to learn how to crochet,” said Kim Parfitt, a programmer at the Airdrie Public Library.
The library offers a free crochet program every Wednesday evening from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is a registered program for six weeks, for kids aged 13 to 14. The program has been running for the past two years and the kids just keep coming back, Parfitt said.
“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, said Caroline Sommerfeld, owner, and chief yarn officer of Ancient Arts Yarn+ Dye Studio, in Calgary.
According to Sommerfeld, until recently, crochet was considered a dying art form, a quaint pastime left to grandmothers or hobbyists with a penchant for nostalgia.
In recent years crochet has been enjoying a breath of fresh air. Its creativity is captivating a younger generation and gaining popularity on various social media platforms.
“Crochet is actually considered right now to be one of the world’s number one most increasing crafts,” said Sommerfeld.
“It is also quite fascinating because you can find them on fashion runways in New York, London, and Paris.”
Crochet is a free art form where you can create something without being rigid in terms of its construction. You can incorporate it into anything and everything.
“That’s one of the unique things about it, that you can still only do it by hand. It cannot be imitated,” said Sommerfeld.
AnnaMarie Mozolik owns Calgary Crochet Retreat and NICU Crochet Canada cruise.
She says small crochet groups are an excellent way to build community and support local business.
“With the heightened hype around crochet right now, it’s definitely going to stay around for a while,” said Mozolik.
Handmade crocheted bird stuffies is photogrpahed at the Ancient Arts Yarn+Dye Studio, Calgary on Mar.15,2025 (Photo by {Jasdeep Kaur}/The Press)
Amanda Melnyk-Kromm (Left- Crochet Instructor) and Caroline Sommerfeld (Owner and Chief Yarn Officer of Ancients Arts Yarn+Dye Studio) are photographed at the Ancient Arts Yarn+Dye Studio, Calgary, on Mar.15,2025 (Photo by {Jasdeep Kaur}/The Press)
Caroline Sommerfeld (Left- Owner and Chief Yarn Officer of Ancient Arts Yarn+Studio) and Amanda Melnyk-Kromm (Crochet Instructor) are photographed crocheting a Granny Patch at the Ancient Arts Yarn+Dye Studio, Calgary, on Mar.15,2025 (Photo by {Jasdeep Kaur}/The Press)
Amanda Melnyk-Kromm is photographed wearing a handmade crocheted and knitted sweater at the Ancient Arts Yarn+Dye Studio, Calgary on Mar.15,2025 (Photo by {Jasdeep Kaur}/The Press)
Amanda Melnyk-Kromm is photographed wearing a handmade crocheted and knitted sweater at the Ancient Arts Yarn+Dye Studio, Calgary on Mar.15,2025 (Photo by {Jasdeep Kaur}/The Press)
Handmade crocheted sweater and shawl displayed on mannequins are photographed at the Ancient Arts Yarn+ Dye Studio, Calgary on Mar.15,2025 (Photo by {Jasdeep Kaur}/The Press)
Handmade crocheted woollen beanies displayed on mannequins are photographed at the Ancient Arts Yarn+ Dye Studio, Calgary on Mar.15,2025 (Photo by {Jasdeep Kaur}/The Press)
Various crochet related books, instruments, and handmade crocheted items displayed on a table at Ancient Arts Yarn+ Dye Studio, Calgary are photographed on Mar.15,2025 (Photo by {Jasdeep Kaur}/The Press)
Handmade crocheted sweater and shawl displayed on mannequins are photographed at the Ancient Arts Yarn+ Dye Studio, Calgary on Mar.15,2025 (Photo by {Jasdeep Kaur}/The Press)
A handmade crocheted sweater is photographed at the East, Hills Starbucks, Calgary on Mar.16,2025 (Photo by {Jasdeep Kaur}/The Press)
Kim Parfitt, programmer at the Airdrie Public Library (APL) is photographed in the Program room, APL on Mar.12,2025 (Photo by {Jasdeep Kaur}/The Press)
Kim Parfitt, programmer at the Airdrie Public Library (APL) is photographed crocheting in the Program room, APL on Mar.12,2025 (Photo by {Jasdeep Kaur}/The Press)
Patches of Granny Squares kept on a table at Ancient Arts Yarn+ Dye Studio, Calgary is photographed on Mar.15,2025 (Photo by {Jasdeep Kaur}/The Press)
The above attached video shows experienced crochet knitters crocheting a granny patch square. AnnaMarie Mozollik demonstrates how to start crocheting a granny square patch. Caroline Sommerfeld and Amanda Melnyk-Kromm demonstrate how a granny square looks like and they continue crocheting to complete it.
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.
The infographic poster presents some quirky, interesting and lesser known facts about crocheting that I learnt from the sources I interviewed.