is known of crochet’s early history. It seems likely that the earliest crochet was made using fingers, rather than the hooks used today. There are theories that crochet could have existed as early as 1500 BC, as part of nun’s work, which included needlepoint lace and bobbin lace.
There are three main theories for the origin of crochet. Some believe that it originated in Arabia and spread eastward to Tibet and then westward to Spain, finally following the Arab trade routes to other Mediterranean countries. Alternatively, it’s thought to have originated in South America, where a primitive tribe used crochet adornments in puberty rites. Another alternative stems from the fact that in China, early examples were known of dolls worked in crochet.
However, there is no solid evidence as to how old crochet is or where it originated. The evidence of it appearing in the sixteenth century is slight, and hotly disputed. There are references to a type of “chained trimming” made around 1580. However this appears to have been a type of cord, sewn onto fabric like an ornamental braid.
During the Renaissance, women crocheted several strands of thread producing fabrics similar to lace.
The earliest evidence of crochet, as we know it, is first commonly seen in the second half of the eighteenth century. Crochet may have developed from Chinese needlework, an ancient form of embroidery known in Turkey, India, Persia and North Africa, which reached Europe in the eighteenth century, and was referred to as tambouring. The main theory behind the origin of crochet seems to be that it began when it was realized that chains worked in a pattern would hang together without background fabric. At the end of the eighteenth century, tambour evolved into what the French called crochet in the air, when the background fabric was discarded and the stitch worked on its own. Tambour hooks were as thin as sewing needles, and therefore the work must have been done with very fine thread.
Crochet began to emerge in Europe in the early nineteenth century, boosted by Mlle Riego de la Branchardiere, well known for her ability to take needle and bobbin lace designs and turn them into crochet patterns that could be duplicated. She published numerous patterns and also claimed to have invented lace-like crochet, today called Irish crochet.
A type of lace called cheyne lace was made with a hook from the late eighteenth century and a primitive form of crochet called pjonting can be found from about 1820.
CLAIR
crochet emerged alongside other forms of elaborate needlework in the nineteenth century. When printed materials began to be mass-produced in the mid-nineteenth century, the popularity of crochet increased vastly.
Patterns for silk thread purses were the first to have been published, from about 1824 in Holland. Prior to this date, crochet was passed to future generations without written patterns but rather duplicated from small crocheted samples.
Victorian crochet hooks were made of materials such as ivory, brass, various woods, and other bone material. They were often ornately carved, the most impressive often being given as wedding gifts. Crocheted bags, clothing and décor were all popular. Crochet was considered a suitable activity for wealthy women, along with other forms of needlework. Bead crochet began to appear on the market in the 1830s. Knitting with beads was already in fashion at this time.
Crochet became a cottage industry in Ireland with a lace called Irish crochet or guipure lace. In the mid-nineteenth century, it became a large industry owing to a need for people to supplement their income due to the great potato famine of that time. It is still a cottage industry in some countries such as India, Greece, Italy, and some Asian countries.
Crochet samplers dating from the nineteenth century are shown in many museums. A variety of crochet and knitting books were published from the mid-nineteenth century through the 1920s. Filet crochet became very popular from the 1850s.
Crochet continued to be popular into the early twentieth century. The 1920s brought a flood of bead crocheted bags with piles of bead loops to complete the flapper look.
From 1937 through 1940’s there were crochet contests for workmanship design and speed. The onset of World War II saw the craft halt, owing to shortages in available materials. Bead crochet bags were popular throughout the 1950’s. Crochet became an accepted art form in the 1960s and more experimentation in textile art took place including international fiber shows. Crochet began to regain its popularity in the 1970s, when it became popular to wear crocheted items.
The 1980s and 1990s brought a renaissance of bead and thread crochet. In the early 1990s bead knitted bags gained popularity, which increased the demand for bead crocheted bags.
In 1994 thirty four million American women crocheted or knitted, in 2002 this figure had increased to thirty eight million.
Crochet today is mainly created by using soft yarns to produce garments and blankets. Although the crochet stitch can be made by machine, it continues to be a home craft.
Crochet History Part1
VANCE
eople enjoy crochet for its relaxing qualities and satisfying results. It appeals to a wide number of people, as most of the materials still remain inexpensive and easy to obtain. Young children are often taught crochet to increase their fine motor skills, to help in their learning to count and follow instructions and to bolster their self-confidence. Amongst older people crochet is popular as a social activity and to help keep arthritic symptoms in check.
Many people find that crochet can reduce stress levels. It’s an easily portable craft and can provide inexpensive and original gifts. Crochet can help with dexterity; help with eye-hand coordination; help develop concentration and can be incorporated as part of other crafts.
Crochet means hook in French and this is the name given to the craft amongst French, Italians and Spanish speakers. It’s known as haken in Holland, haekling in Denmark, hekling in Norway and virkning in Sweden. Although other forms of handwork can be dated far back in time, owing to archaeological finds no one is quite sure when and where crochet began.
Crochet is a series of interlocking loops of thread onto a chain using a thin rod with a hook at the end. A chain of loops is created, with each new loop catching the thread and pulling it through the previous loop. After the chain is completed, the thread is then turned to start a second chain. There are a large variety of patterns and stitches. Some of the more common stitches are chain, single crochet, half-double crochet, double crochet, popcorn crochet, and cluster crochet.
In the past it was very common to work directly from a picture of finished work or from a sample. This is why in early patterns many of the directions seem to be missing. Women in the nineteenth century were familiar with crochet and therefore instructions that we need today were unnecessary at that time.
The story of crochet continues. By referring to old books, magazines and brochures, people find techniques that have been forgotten. Often crocheters think they have invented new crochet stitches, when they are actually reinventing stitches that have been around for over a hundred and fifty years.
MONROE
