In a post-lockdown society, we’ve seen an influx of various hobby trends that have come and gone, however one of that’s stuck is crocheting.
Brief fashions of crochet pre-pandemic had made their appearances, however the surge of creating clothes from scratch was often out of the question. Post lockdown this is coming a completely different picture. With 7.8 billion views under on Tik Tok and 41.7 million posts on Instagram under #crochet, the popularity and inspiration that these platforms represent is undeniable. Though it’s hard to find exact data on Gen Z and the uptake of the craft, a couple minutes scrolling through said social media apps show how crocheting has been embraced by the Zoomers.
But this isn’t just in a social media bubble, it can be seen through many up-and-coming crafters using their newly gained skill to break into the fashion and art world with companies like Jonathan Anderson using crochet as a prominent lookbooks.
Underlying all the aesthetics of crochet usually comes a personal reason or use from the craft, many find it a break away from the mainstream of fast fashion and adopting ‘slow fashion’, self-expression and an outlet to create something unique whether that’s clothing, art or accessories
Here’s the perspectives from three London based creatives on why they crochet.
“I use it as a way to say to my family ‘I love you'”
Arabella Muir, 19, Artist
Arabella is a first-year student at Chelsea College of Art & Design. Her work at the group exhibition ‘Place to Belong’ at MMX gallery in Deptford presents the comforting and warming feeling that many find from the craft featuring combined granny squares, stars and comforting messages with soft tones. This feeling of comfort and family are themes Arabella elevates in her work.
For Arabella, family and crochet are two things that are intrinsically linked. The work features the message ‘Take care x x’, a text she receives from her family members reflecting the feeling of familiarity and comfort that herself and many find from crocheting. The icon of the granny square frequently featured in her work also correlates to being taught by family. she explains “My mum taught me at the start of lockdown, and I was awful at it and then I kind of tried to do it again in the summer, I started making a really big granny square and then from there that’s when I started doing it”. The granny square, the stars and hearts and the texts used are a conscious decision to reflect these themes in her art. She says “I use it as a way to say to my family ‘I love you’” without directly saying it.
To see more of Arabella’s art work, click this link for her Instagram page.
“I like to pick the colours of the things I make … it feels nicer when you make it yourself.”
Alex Mantzouki, 20, Student
Alex uses crocheting for a more personal reason, her work is mainly for just herself or gifts to family and friends. She says “it’s something that helps with anxiety and something I can just focus on”. This feeling on relieving tension is common among those who crochet, something to wind back and detach from the world with. She started crocheting in student halls. Sitting back, watching a film, crocheting and debriefing with friends was a way to release anxieties over lockdowns, moving away from home and living alone for the first time. Through the act, it was almost a creation comfort, a home from home.
But the personal side to crocheting isn’t the only aspect of her work, it’s also a use of self-expression, making things she says she can’t find in stores. “I make hats and scarfs. I like to pick the colours of the things I make, and I guess it feels nicer when you make it yourself.” The expression of her personality can be seen through her featured portrait using black and orange to create a fun hat and scarf set, both of which are her favourite colours.
“I don’t buy into fast fashion … Crocheting you have to do it quite slowly. It’s good in that sense”
Hannah Wickham, 20, Loopyknits Founder
Hannah’s runs a store on Instagram called loopyknits creating a variety of crocheted and knitted garments from bottle holders to tube tops. She began crocheting the summer on a holiday in 2021 after she received a kit for her birthday. She says “There wasn’t much to do so I thought ‘fine I’ll learn’ … then I got addicted to it”. This led to her shop opening in the September of that year. Hannah also presents a different approach to the works from others as she combines both knitting and crocheting in her works, combining the two crafts in some garments creating a different texture and look to conventional crocheted or knitted works.
Beyond enjoyment of the craft, her store also has a positive environmental impact. She says “I don’t buy into fast fashion only if I really need to. Crocheting you have to do it quite slowly you can’t just churn out loads of stuff, it’s good in that sense”. This relates to a common feeling with the craft, the feeling of making each piece your own, something fast fashion can’t express by its nature.
To view more of Hannah’s work, click this link for her instagram
