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What is Crochet?
A Basic Guide to the Artistry and Making Ethical Choices
In this guide, we’ll dive into the art of crochet—how it's created, its origins, and the importance of making ethical choices when purchasing crocheted items. Whether you’re looking to create your own pieces or are hoping to purchase handmade crochet products, this page is here to give you everything you need to know.
How Crochet is Made
Crochet is a needlework technique that involves creating fabric by interlocking loops of yarn, thread, or other materials with a hooked tool. Unlike knitting, where multiple stitches remain open at a time, crochet completes each stitch before moving to the next. This distinctive process allows for intricate designs and unique textures, making crochet an incredibly versatile craft.
It starts with a foundation chain, followed by looping yarn through previous stitches to build rows or rounds of fabric. A wide array of stitches can be made, ranging from basic ones like the chain and slip stitches, as well as single, half-double, and double crochet stitches to more advanced techniques. Each stitch contributes to the texture, thickness, and visual appeal of the final piece.
A Brief History of Crochet
The word "crochet" originates from the Middle French word croc or croche, meaning "hook," referring to the name of the tool used for the craft. While its precise origins are uncertain, historical accounts and theories give us an idea of how long the craft might have been around. Some suggest crochet may have been practiced as early as the 1500's in Italy, however, no definitive evidence of crochet in Europe exists before 1800.
The craft began gaining recognition in the early 19th century, with the term "crochet" first appearing in the Dutch magazine Penélopé in 1823. Around this time, crochet was mentioned in English works, such as 'The Memoirs of a Highland Lady' by Elizabeth Grant. Many also link its development to French tambour embroidery, illustrated in Diderot’s Encyclopedia in 1763.
In today's world, crochet is still one of the most popular crafts and art forms used in creating handmade items from scratch. Online platforms like Etsy and Ravelry allow small businesses, artists, and even people just doing it as a hobby to share and sell their creations and patterns globally.
Crochet vs. Knitting: The Machine Factor and Why Crochet Products Cost More
A key difference between crochet and knitting is that crochet cannot be replicated by machines. Knitting, which uses two needles, can be machine-made, but crochet’s unique one-hook method requires the skilful hands of an artisan. This distinction is crucial—if you see a brand advertising “machine-made crochet,” it’s simply not crochet.
When you purchase a handmade crochet item, you’re not just buying a product—you’re investing in the hours of designing, labour, and care that goes into creating it. A single crochet piece can take anywhere from several hours to weeks to complete, depending on its complexity.
This is why our prices reflect the true value of the craft. By paying a fair price, you’re supporting artists who pour their passion and skill into every stitch, ensuring they receive fair wages for their work. On the other side, ridiculously low prices for crochet items often signal exploitative practices, including unfair wages, child labor, and unsafe working conditions.
Why Fast Fashion Shouldn’t Include Crochet
Crochet is inherently a slow craft, yet some fast fashion brands have attempted to abuse it. Here’s how they do it:
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Underpaying Workers: To produce crochet at the scale and speed required by fast fashion, companies often exploit workers, paying them pennies for their time and skill.
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Using Child and Slave Labour: Many of these low-priced “crochet” items are made under conditions that are both unethical and inhumane.
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Misleading Products: Some fast fashion brands use machine-knitted stitches that mimic crochet’s aesthetic but are not authentic. These pieces are often misleadingly labeled as “crochet” to capitalise on its artisanal appeal and bump up the price.
Crochet doesn’t belong in the “fast fashion” category because its core values are rooted in craftsmanship and inventiveness. Fast fashion relies on mass production, rapid turnaround, and disposable trends—values that are contradictory to the spirit of crochet. By supporting fast fashion “crochet,” you inadvertently endorse unethical practices and devalue the work of genuine artists.
The Impact of Fast Fashion on Small Businesses: The Cost of Copycat Designs
Fast fashion companies have a troubling history of stealing crocheted designs from small businesses, choosing to replicate these creations rather than compensating designers for their original ideas. For instance, SHEIN has stolen at least two of our designs—first in August 2021 and again in August 2022. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident; SHEIN and similar brands have repeatedly targeted small businesses and independent creators, including some well-known brands, to mass-produce knockoff designs at a fraction of the price. This practice undermines the hard work and creativity of small businesses while enticing consumers with cheaper alternatives that disregard the time, effort, and skill required to create genuine crocheted items. Supporting original designs not only uplifts small businesses but also fosters a moral and sustainable fashion industry.
Supporting Ethical Crochet
When you choose crochet products from ethical brands like ours, you’re not just purchasing an item, you’re:
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Empowering Artists: Ensuring that skilled craftspeople receive fair wages and can work under humane conditions.
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Investing in Quality: Handmade crochet pieces are built to last, making them sustainable and timeless additions to your wardrobe.
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Standing Against Exploitation: Refusing to support industries that thrive on unethical practices.
No matter what the product, every crocheted item tells a story, and each piece is a demonstration of the artist’s time, dedication and love for the craft. By choosing authentic, handmade crochet, you're honouring the craftsmanship of artists, supporting small businesses (like ours), and contributing to a more ethical and sustainable world.
Next time you’re tempted by a suspiciously cheap “crochet” product, remember the hands that make it possible. Choose consciously. Choose ethically. Choose crochet made with love.
