The Wonderful World of Crochet

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crochettoday

Story by crochettoday

Published on Sept 19, 2012 in Shop

Rose White manages social media for Crochet Today! magazine, where she blogs, tweets, pins, and posts to Facebook and Ravelry. She’s been crocheting since she was 8, knitting since she was 20, and started using computers sometime in between. She shares her San Francisco apartment with her partner and one loom, two guitars, and three spinning wheels.

You may think you’re fond of yarn, but until you’ve worked on a crochet magazine, you have no idea just how much amazing crochet there really is. Looking for crochet-related content for our social media streams brings me into contact with that wide wonderful world.

[1. Crochet wire hedgehog earrings by otherworlds; 2. "Crochet" Scrabble tile pendant by starmekcreations; 3. Teeny tiny crocheted deer by suami; 4. Serendipity doily earrings by mccordworks.]

Crochet itself is easy to describe: You make loops with yarn using a hook. That doesn’t really cover the extremes, though. A tiny deer that fits on a fingertip isn’t quite the same as a massive yarnbomb, despite their family resemblance.

[1. Crochet floor cushion by lacasadecoto; 2. Heart crochet pattern by CAROcreated; 3. One of a kind crochet freeform pillowcase by Svyazka; 4. Matryoshka crochet pattern by ATERGcrochet; 5. Crochet rug by HighForestCrafts.]

Crochet in the home can be a little kitsch (like Matryoshka dolls) or it can be fresh and modern (like a crocheted rug or floor cushion). It can even be art — freeform crochet comes closer to painting than almost any other fiber technique.

[1. Crochet owl mobile by ProudChildCrochet; 2. Pirate ship crochet pattern by skymagenta; 3. Sunflower baby hat by HatAndColdCrochet; 4. Crochet hedgehog pillow pattern by oneandtwocompany; 5. Crochet fox scarf pattern by BeesKneesKnitting.]

Expecting a baby (yours or a BFF’s) makes many of us pick up a hook and yarn. There are more patterns now than ever, so your needs are covered, whether your tastes run toward sunflower hats or pirate ships.

[1. Platform clogs with crochet flower by karenkell; 2. Crochet short pattern by ettygeller; 3. Pineapple lace parasol by babukatorium; 4. "Soren" ribbed crochet cowl by thehouseofhemp; 5.  Crochet lariat scarf by yarnisland.]

What stands out most to me these days is that crochet is definitely having a moment. Super stylish details keep crochet on-trend rather than oh-so-1972. Lacy shorts for summer or a chunky cowl for winter — either way, loops of yarn made with a hook want to be part of your wardrobe.

For more crochet in all of these styles, join us online at Crochet Today, or on our Facebook or Ravelry pages. Subscribe now for 6 issues at $15.99 (with more than 25 patterns in every issue!) to take advantage of a special 20% off code for Etsy fans — use code: today2012.

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3 Featured Comments

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  • SimpleJoysPaperie

    Lana Manis from SimpleJoysPaperie says: Featured

    All of these pieces are amazing! I can crochet a square and a circle... and that's about it. I really admire all these wonderful artists --- and yes, they are artists --- that do so much with a hook and yarn or thread!

    247 days ago

  • TinasBeadMind

    Tina Francis from TinasBeadMind says: Featured

    I have always loved crochet, my mother used to crochet and I did too, but have since forgotten how. I'm now very inspired to pick up that needle again! So many beautiful, inspiring pieces here. I'm so glad that crochet is still alive and thriving.

    246 days ago

  • BlueBrocade

    BlueBrocade from BlueBrocade says: Featured

    Before I learned to crochet alpaca hats for my Etsy shop, I didn't understand what drew people to crochet and knit. But today I understand the soothing rhythm of the stitches, almost a meditation. I feel the satisfaction each time in creating something real and wearable from a humble strand of natural yarn. When I was younger, yarn work seemed kitschy but today I understand the renaissance of knitting and crocheting, and I know the joy of not only creating from yarn but also the joy in setting each piece free to the world for others to love and cherish.

    246 days ago

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