What is Crochet?

Crochet is a handicraft. It’s a process of creating a fabric by using hooks and wool/thread loops are created and interlocked with each other to form a textured fabric. 

The word crochet is derived from the Middle French word croc or crochet, meaning hook.You can create unique things through crochet like laces, tablemats, sweaters, capes, shawls, handbags and so on. Crochet has endless possibilities. And of course crochet and knitting are different forms of handicrafts.

Crocheting and its Origin

Though we enjoy crochet, we call it as our hobby but ever thought how crochet originated?

In origins, some theorize that crochet evolved from traditional practices in Saudi Arabia, South America, China but there is no decisive evidence of the craft being performed before its popularity in Europe during 1800’s. The earliest written reference to crochet refers to shepherd’s knitting from the memoirs of a highland lady by Elizabeth grant in 1812. The first published crochet patterns appeared in Dutch magazine pnlop in 1824. Other indicators that crochet was new in the nineteenth century include the 1847 publication A winter’s gift, which provides detailed instructions for performing crochet stitches in its instruction although it presumes that readers understand the basics of other needlecrafts.

Early references to the craft in Godey’s lady’s Book in 1846 and 1847 refer to crotchet before the spelling standardized from 1848 onwards.

Evolution of Crochet Hooks

 



Many find it likely that crochet was in fact used by early cultures but that a bent forefinger was used in place of a fashioned hook; therefore, there were no artifacts left behind to attest to the practice. These writers point to the “simplicity” of the technique and claim that it “must” have been early.

At beginning of 1800 tambour hooks used in tambour embroidery in France were used, and contend that the hooking of loops through fine fabric in tambour work evolved “crochet in the air”, hooks ranged from primitive bent needles in a cork handle, used by poor lace workers, to expensively crafted silver, brass, steel, ivory and bone hooks set into a variety of handles, some of which were better designed to show off a lady’s hands than they were to work with thread. By the early 1840s, instructions for crochet were being published in England, particularly by Eleanor Riego de la Branchardiere and Frances Lambert. These early patterns called for cotton and linen thread for lace, wool yarn for clothing, often in bright and vivid color combination.

Benefits of Crochet

Have you ever wondered the benefits of Crochet?

Crochet and knitting are very helpful for your mind, mood, body, though it’s fun and interesting to learn this art. It has surprising health benefits. But it doesn’t mean you have to be ill 😛 to do crochet but if you’re just curious to know.

  • Crochet is so relaxing, helps to calm down, it creates a state of being in which we are fully immersed in the present moment, helps to lower blood pressure.
  • Crochet helps in toning the eyes the color of the yarn and the designs created creates a calming effect for the eyes.
  • Crochet helps in relieving stress and depression.
  • Toning muscles in the fingers, every time we create a stitch the movement of the fingers helps in relaxing the muscles, staves off Alzheimer’s.
  • Crochet builds our self-esteem.
  • Crochet also helps in fine motor skills such as sewing, cutting, pasting and bead crafts.
  • Helps in improving concentration.
  • Crocheting and knitting keeps our heart healthy its known as hobbies for heart.
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