What is crochet?
If you’ve spent any time in a yarn shop, you already know this question usually starts with, “How is it different from knitting?”
Crochet is a fiber craft that uses a single hooked tool to pull loops of yarn or thread through other loops, one stitch at a time, to create fabric. Unlike knitting, which typically keeps many stitches “live” on the needles, crochet usually works with just one active loop at a time. That simple difference gives crochet its own rhythm—and a surprising amount of flexibility.
Because crochet stitches can be worked into many different parts of an existing stitch (not just the top two loops), crocheters can easily move between dense, structured fabric and airy, open lace. That’s why crochet shows up everywhere: delicate doilies and shawls, sturdy blankets, hats, bags, sweaters, and yes—even modern garments like crop tops and swimwear.
And for a bit of linguistic trivia we love around here: the word crochet comes from French and simply means “hook.”
Where did crochet come from?
Crochet’s early history isn’t perfectly documented, and that’s part of what makes it interesting. Unlike knitting, which shows up clearly in medieval artifacts, crochet seems to arrive more quietly.
What we do know with confidence is this: crochet, as we recognize it today, became established in Europe in the early 19th century. One of the earliest printed descriptions appears in a Dutch journal in 1824, and from there, written patterns and references spread quickly across Europe.
Rather than springing fully formed from one place, crochet appears to have grown out of earlier looped and hooked techniques—especially forms of chain-stitch embroidery worked with a hook. Once crochet began appearing in print, its popularity accelerated, helped along by its portability, affordability, and expressive potential.
Techniques that shaped crochet
When people talk about crochet’s “ancestors,” two techniques come up again and again. They aren’t crochet exactly—but they clearly laid important groundwork.
Tambour embroidery
Tambour embroidery is one of the clearest historical links. It’s a method of creating chain stitch on fabric using a small hook, often worked in a frame. The technique originated in India and was widely adopted in Britain and France during the 18th century.
If that sounds familiar, it should: chain stitch is foundational to crochet, and the hand motion is strikingly similar. Tambour embroidery shows that long before crochet became a standalone fabric-making craft, people were already using hooks to form loops in a continuous chain.
In many ways, crochet can be seen as what happens when that idea—hook + loop + chain—is taken off the fabric and allowed to stand on its own.
“Shepherd’s knitting” and early slip-stitch fabric
Another intriguing historical term is shepherd’s knitting. Nineteenth-century sources describe this as a practice that existed before crochet became fashionable and suggest it was an earlier name for a crochet-like slip-stitch technique.
You’ll sometimes hear romantic stories about shepherds inventing the craft while tending their flocks. While that image is charming, it’s best understood as folklore rather than firm evidence. What is documented is that the term “shepherd’s knitting” was in use and referred to a hooked, looped technique closely related to crochet.
Think of it less as a single origin story and more as a reminder: crochet didn’t appear out of nowhere. It evolved.
Crochet in the 19th century
Once crochet took hold in Europe, it spread quickly—especially as a lace-making technique. One of the most famous examples is Irish crochet, which developed in the mid-19th century and became an important source of income during the Irish famine years. Irish crochet lace was admired across Europe for its intricacy and craftsmanship, and its influence is still felt in modern design.
By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, crochet was firmly established as both a practical household skill and a decorative art.
Crochet today
Like many handcrafts, crochet dipped in popularity during the rise of mass-produced goods. And like many handcrafts, it never really disappeared—it just waited.
Today, crochet is thriving again. Social media, online tutorials, digital patterns, and vibrant maker communities have made it easier than ever to learn, experiment, and connect. Crochet appeals to a wide range of people: those who love tradition, those who want fast creative gratification, and those who simply enjoy making something real with their hands.
It also helps that crochet is wonderfully accessible. A hook, some yarn, and a bit of curiosity will get you started.
The benefits of crochet
We hear this every day in the shop: “Crochet keeps me sane.” And it turns out that feeling is well supported.
Research on needlecrafts consistently shows positive effects on mental wellbeing, including stress reduction, focus, and a sense of accomplishment. Crochet’s repetitive motion can feel meditative, while still leaving room for creativity and problem-solving.
It’s also physically approachable. Crochet can be done seated, adjusted for different abilities, and picked up or set down easily—making it a lifelong craft for many people.
And then there’s the social side. Crochet brings people together: in classes, stitch circles, yarn shops, and online communities where knowledge is shared freely and generously.
From a sustainability standpoint, crochet can support a more thoughtful relationship with clothing and household goods—making items to last, repairing what we already own, and choosing materials with care.
Whether you’re brand new or have been crocheting for decades, crochet has a way of meeting you where you are. It’s practical, expressive, comforting, and endlessly adaptable—and that’s a big part of why it’s still here.
And if you ask us? It’s not going anywhere. 🧶
Looking for yarn for your next crochet project? There is something for every project and budget here.
PS. If you’re new to crochet, you might also like our tips for new crocheters.
