Gathering the Fibers: An Introduction to Crochet
What is Crochet?
Crochet, derived from the French verb "to hook," refers to the use of various sizes of hook to twist and loop yarn together to make garments, blankets, or other objects. The craft, derived from previous forms of fibrecrafts using hooked tools, carries cultural history as well as artistic beauty.
While it is hard to trace the craft all the way back to its true origins, there are several predecessor craft forms that have been practiced for centuries and are still practiced today. Most evidence points to the craft as we know it originating in the mid-1800s, and it has made several cultural splashes since then. Currently crochet is a hot topic on social media sites like TikTok, Pinterest, and Instagram, including the revival of several historically abandoned forms of crochet that have people "hooked!"
Fundamentals of Crochet
Nearly every form of crochet features two things: a tool with a hook on the end, and fiber, thread, or yarn. Both have taken many forms through history.
Most modern hooks are aluminum, or plastic. They are mass-produced in a factory with a standard system of sizing corresponding to letters of the alphabet. Historically, hooks were hand-carved out of wood, bone, or ivory or other similar shapable material to the size that best fit the kind of crochet being done and the fiber being used.
Additionally, while crochet now is typically made using either acrylic or natural-fiber yarn like wool or cotton, crochet has been practiced with just about any material pliable enough to create the iconic looped fabric.