All Tied Up

Get your needles ready— crochet is in.

You may recognize the light, summery patterns from your grandmother’s closet, but hold onto your yarn because the tattered baby blanket you’ve had since— well— you were a baby is now being reimagined into bikini tops, bucket hats, ponchos, and more.

The bohemian hippie dream; crochet, and knitwear were all the craze in the 1970s. Cher was often seen sporting crotchet in her everyday, eccentric wardrobe. As fashion trends recycle themselves from the late 1900s, crochet follows the whirlpool of fun textures and bright colors into 2022. Why crochet, though?

During the height of the pandemic, being stuck in a house or small apartment was driving everyone stir-crazy. Some people learned how to cook, garden, paint, or even picked up a new language. One of the most popular hobbies, popularized by TikTok, was learning how to crochet. With that, the trend took off, and has been booming ever since. Knitwear tops, bags, and hats took Etsy by storm, leaving crochet and knitwear fans alike in their own personal heaven.

Not only is knitting or crocheting your clothing a fun hobby, but it’s also a great way to contribute to sustainable fashion affordably. With a rise in awareness against fast fashion, these hobbies are the best way to help the planet, all while getting to have unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that can spice up any outfit. While trends are more accessible than ever, with fast fashion brands constantly pumping out the latest looks at the lowest prices, it’s important to remember that buying from small businesses or ethically sourced companies is imperative to keeping fashion sustainable.

Below is an interview with Milla Lima, a crocheter and student at the Fashion Institute of Technology.

What inspired you to start crocheting?

I have always been a very crafty person, if I couldn’t find exactly what I was looking for, I would simply learn how to make it myself. I learned how to sew and it opened my mind to design, so when covid hit and I suddenly had the time, I decided to learn how to crochet on a whim. I taught myself through youtube and drew most of my inspiration from Pinterest and pieces in thrift stores. Now that I understand it well, I take inspiration from the world around me and honestly make things up based on certain outfits or silhouettes I have in mind.

What’s your favorite piece that you’ve made?

The first time I started playing around with different yarn weights I realized how creative I could be with my work. I made this kind of droopy, mock-neck striped sweater using two different kinds of yarn, which created this cool texture that makes the piece look really interesting when worn.

What’s your message to those out there that want to pick up crocheting?

Honestly, crochet has been one of the easiest and most versatile crafts I’ve picked up. If you want to start, just do it because once you get a feel for it, you can really make anything you put your mind to.

This so-called “Yarn Uprising” has substantially affected fashion lovers and creators. The new trend has allowed crochet lovers everywhere to dip their toes in entrepreneurship, giving them the chance to start their own businesses. Many students at the Fashion Institute of Technology create one-of-a-kind knitwear looks, such as students Nova Krasner and Milla Lima.

Crochet and knitwear offer the perfect mix of comfort, class, daint, and imagination. A knitwear look can offer many uses depending on how you style it; you can create looks for the beach, a picnic, a night out, and everything in between.