Unraveling the Fascinating History of Crochet & Its Origins
|
|
Time to read 4 min
Mysterious Origins: Unlike knitting, crochet lacks ancient documentation, likely evolving from "Shepherd's Knitting" (for warmth) and French "Tambour Embroidery" (decorative loops).
Wartime Significance: Crochet played a vital role in history, from Queen Victoria crocheting scarves for Boer War soldiers to civilians making balaclavas for WWI troops.
Therapeutic Value: The craft has long been used for rehabilitation, helping soldiers recover from physical injuries and cope with PTSD (formerly shell shock) through its repetitive, calming motion.
Where Did Crochet Begin? The History of Crochet
Have you ever looked at your hook and yarn and wondered:
- Where did this actually come from?
- Who started it?
- Was it an ancient survival skill or a modern invention?
When I began researching the history of crochet, I expected a neat timeline. I was looking for ancient Egyptian origins or clear Roman beginnings. Instead, I stumbled into one of the biggest mysteries in the fiber world.
The truth is, unlike knitting or weaving, crochet doesn’t have a clear, documented ancient history. It appears in the historical record almost out of nowhere in the early 19th century. But while its origins are murky, one thing is clear: throughout history, crochet has always served as a tool for survival, rebellion, and therapy.
Here is a deep dive into the origins of crochet and how it evolved from a shepherd's necessity to the beloved art form we know today.
Shepherd's Knitting History
If you look at ancient Egyptian tombs or Roman ruins, you will find evidence of knitting and weaving. However, there are no confirmed Roman crochet hooks and no ancient crochet lace. This historical gap has led historians to develop two main theories about the origins of crochet.
Shepherd’s Knitting (Slip-Stitch)
One theory points to a technique called Shepherd’s Knitting, practiced in Scotland and Scandinavia. Imagine a shepherd in cold, wet conditions using a simple hook—perhaps a spoon handle or bone—to pull thick wool through itself.
This wasn’t the delicate lace we see today. It was a dense, water-resistant fabric designed for warmth. While not identical to modern crochet, it is a crucial precursor that proves looped fabric could be created with a single hook.
Tambour Embroidery: Crochet "En L'air"
Meanwhile, in France, embroiderers were using a technique called tambour embroidery. This involved stretching fabric tight over a drum-like hoop and using a tiny hook to pull loops of thread through the cloth.
Eventually, artisans realized they could create these loops without the base fabric. They began pulling loop after loop into the air—a technique that became known as crochet en l’air (crochet in the air). This is widely considered the most direct ancestor of the craft we practice today.
Shop Crochet Snuggler Patterns
Crochet Origins in Wartime: A Tool for Survival and Honor
Queen Victoria’s Crochet Scarves
In 1900, during the Boer War, Queen Victoria became one of the craft's most influential figures.
- At eighty-one years old, she personally crocheted eight scarves to be presented to soldiers as honors.
One recipient was Canadian Private Richard Rowland Thompson. While not official military medals, these khaki scarves were treated with immense respect.
WWI and The Red Cross
During World War I, the Red Cross launched massive campaigns encouraging civilians to crochet practical items for the troops. This included ear-flap balaclavas, designed to keep soldiers warm while allowing them to use trench telephones. Crochet became a way for those at home to contribute directly to the war effort.
Shop Crochet Plushie Patterns
FAQ
1. When was crochet actually invented?
While exact dates are difficult to pinpoint due to a lack of ancient artifacts, crochet as we recognize it (distinct from knitting or embroidery) began to appear clearly in historical records in the early 19th century.
2. Is Shepherd’s Knitting the same as crochet?
Not exactly, but it is a close relative. Shepherd’s Knitting, or slip-stitch crochet, used a hook to create dense, durable fabric for warmth. It is considered a functional precursor to the more decorative crochet that evolved later.
3. Why was crochet popular in the 1970s?
In the 1970s, crochet became a symbol of the "bohemian" lifestyle and counterculture. The iconic granny square was used in fashion to reject mass-manufacturing and embrace individuality, creativity, and self-expression.
Crochet as Therapy: Healing "Shell Shock"
Perhaps the most moving part of crochet’s history is its role in physical and mental rehabilitation. We have documented examples of soldiers, like Boer War veteran Jabez Ridgwell, who lost fingers to shrapnel and learned to crochet granny squares as part of his physical recovery.
- Beyond the physical, crochet was used to help soldiers cope with "shell shock"—what we now recognize as PTSD.
- The repetitive, rhythmic motion of the hook offered focus, grounding, and a quiet sense of calm amidst extreme stress.
The Modern Era: Rebellion and Climate Records
By the 1970s, the granny square transformed from a wartime necessity into a symbol of counterculture. Wearing crochet became a statement of individuality and a rejection of mass-produced fashion. It was bohemian, expressive, and proudly handmade.
Today, that tradition continues with projects like the temperature blanket. Makers crochet one row per day, with the color corresponding to the local temperature. These blankets become visual records of lived experience and, in some cases, unexpected documentation of climate change as temperatures rise beyond the maker's original color palette.
Marcy Gardner
Hi! I'm Marcy, a crochet designer in North Carolina. I help crafters turn yarn into adorable keepsakes through beginner-friendly crochet patterns and plushie kits. I’ve been crocheting since 2012 and fell in love instantly! My work has been featured in Simply Crochet and Crochet World Magazines. I am the author of Crochet Snuggle Buddies, Hooked on Growth, and Do You Know Hank the Hippo? I also enjoying hosting Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast.
