A (brief) History of Crochet

The Age of the Hunter-Gatherer

In the earliest chapters of human history, during the Hunter-Gatherer stage, crafts like pottery and textiles were born purely from necessity.

While we can pinpoint the rise of modern crochet, its true birthplace remains one of history’s great mysteries. Because early textiles were made from natural fibers like wool and plant stalks, they often decomposed long before they could be found by archaeologists.

Early ancestors used primitive techniques like ‘Nålebinding’—a precursor to crochet dating back as far as 6500 BC—to create functional items such as fishing nets, warm clothing, and sturdy baskets. At this time, every loop and knot was a tool for survival, ensuring that families could hunt, gather, and endure harsh climates.

Nålebinding was an even older method of "needle-binding" used by Vikings and ancient Egyptians to create durable socks and mittens. In its most primitive form, this was often called "Shepherd’s Knitting"—a simple technique where shepherds used a single hand-carved hook to create warm, windproof garments while tending their flocks. 

The Industrial Age

As society shifted into the Industrial Age, crochet underwent a dramatic transformation from a utilitarian skill to a symbol of status and resilience. During the 19th century, particularly in Europe, crochet was used to mimic expensive, hand-made Venetian lace that only the wealthiest could afford. It was during this era that "Irish Crochet" became a literal lifeline; during the Great Famine of the 1840s, Irish families crocheted intricate lace to sell for food, turning a simple craft into an economic savior. This period cemented crochet as both a luxury possession and a powerful tool of independence.

At a time when industrial machines were beginning to mass-produce everything else, crochet remained—and still remains—one of the few crafts that cannot be replicated by a machine. Every single crochet stitch you see today, from a simple scarf to a complex Amigurumi, must be made by human hands.

The Technological Age

Today, in our Technological Age, crochet has moved beyond quilts and lace to occupy a vibrant, creative niche. With the rise of global digital communities, the craft has exploded into the world of Amigurumi—the Japanese art of creating small, stuffed yarn creatures. What once protected our ancestors from the cold now allows us to build entire whimsical worlds, character by character. In a fast-paced digital world, crochet has become a mindful "slow art," where the only limit is the maker’s imagination.

The Modern Renaissance: From Doilies to 3D Art

As we entered the 2020s and moved towards our current day, crochet underwent a massive "cool" factor shift. It transitioned from the "parlor art" of the Victorian era into a vibrant tool for self-expression. In today’s Technological Age, the craft has expanded into: 

• Amigurumi: The Japanese-inspired art of "knitted or crocheted stuffed toys," which turned the craft into a medium for character design and storytelling.

• Mathematical Art: Scientists and artists now use crochet to model complex geometric shapes, like hyperbolic planes, which are difficult to represent in any other physical form.

• Sustainability: For a new generation, crochet is the ultimate "slow fashion" statement—a way to reject mass-produced goods in favor of something unique, sustainable, and intentionally made. 

Fun Historical Tidbits

The World’s First Patterns:

The first known written crochet patterns weren't published until the 1820s. Before then, patterns were often passed down through "swatch books"—small scraps of lace kept in a book that daughters would use as a visual guide to learn their mother’s stitches.

The Royal Hook:

One of history’s most famous crochet enthusiasts was Queen Victoria. Although crochet was once looked down upon as an "inferior" imitation of lace, the Queen helped change its public image. She not only learned the craft herself but also actively supported the Irish lace-makers by purchasing and wearing their work, even crocheting eight scarves to be awarded to British veterans of the South African War. Because of her influence, crochet became a fashionable and respected pastime for people of all social standings.