Start out with a size H-8 crochet hook (around 5 mm) and a worsted-weight yarn then graduate to smaller hooks for lighter yarn and larger hooks for heavier wool yarn. 🧵
This was originally an entire crochet week up until 2005 when it was changed to the same as National CRAFTING Month. The Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) has led events to celebrate the art of crochet and to encourage both novices & master crochet artists like my mother “Nanny” and grandmother “Gano” since 1998. Nowadays National CROCHET Month is observed in the Month of March. There’s also an International CROCHET Day on September 12th as well.
The English, French, Belgians, Italians, and Spanish call it crochet. This unique skill is known as haken in Holland, haekling in Denmark, hekling in Norway, and virkning in Sweden.
You’re hard-pressed to find conclusive evidence of where crochet originated before the 1800s in Europe. One theory suggests it came from Arabia and spread toward Tibet in the east and Mediterranea in the West through established trade routes. In South America, descendants of primitive Guiana Indian tribes had crochet adornments for their coming of age rituals. China revealed early 3-D crochet-type dolls.
Still, there were examples of “nun’s work” or “nun’s lace” back in the 1600s where nuns would make a form of lace tape for textiles run by the church. The modern crochet we know today was developed during the 16th century as it was known by the name of crochet lace in France and chain lace in England.
Tambouring was the French term for ancient Chinese needlework popular in North Africa, Turkey, India, and Persia. Right when it was beginning to appear in mainland Europe, France stopped tambouring and started to “crochet in the air” without any background fabric and just used the stitching.
This brings us to the “Mother of Crochet”, Eleonore Riego de la Branchardière, who published her first book Knitting, Crochet and Netting in 1846 combining old-style needles with bobbin lace designs and turning them into crochet patterns that could be easily duplicated by the layman. Her technique would eventually be known as Irish crochet and she went on to publish more than 100 books.
Crochet has been around for a very long time. It grew in popularity in Europe during the 19th century. A popular form of slip-stitch crochet was named shepherd’s knitting in the British Isles. This was viewed as a craft fit for the poor because it was a lower form of making clothes made from lace.
During the potato famine in Ireland, Queen Victoria gave it the royal seal of approval. She believed in helping Irish women that did the craft to help support their struggle and make a living after the Great Famine. The Queen even learned to crochet herself. One would say she was the reason people got hooked on crochet in the United Kingdom.
In the 1920s and 30s, crochet moved from becoming decorative clothing attachments to being made into entire garments like dresses. During WWII crochet items were provided to help outfits during the war for people including soldiers’ uniforms. In the 1960s and 70s, crochet fashion was very trendy to wear as well as crocheted house goods. Today crochet items and clothes are very stylish. Even top designers such as Dolce & Gabbana make en vogue gowns from crochet and use the popular granny squares.
No matter the history, crocheting is as popular today as it ever was. In fact, walk into any big box store or yarn outlet and you can find an assortment of plastic, steel, or aluminum hooks in more than 25 different sizes. That’s a far cry from a stiff piece of wire, animal or fish bones, old spoons, tusks, or various hewn rocks. And you can stitch cotton, wool, silk, and synthetic yarns as opposed to the unspun wool, animal hair, fabric scraps, and copper wire of yesteryear.
Perhaps you have someone in your family or a dear lady that teaches it at your local library. You could work on improving your craft or start it for the very first time. Many people love crocheting items such as an Amigurumi which is the ancient art of crocheting small, stuffed yarn creatures as Japanese dolls. Sometimes knitted but most often crocheted. This art of doll making has allegedly been recorded as old as 1185. Whether you can teach yourself to crochet independently or get a loved one to teach you, it may take a little work to pick up the craft but it’s very rewarding.
Whether you create a crochet item for yourself, sweethearts, or creating hats for a charitable cause, the items you make will be appreciated because they were made with love and will be kept for years to come. The Magic Yarn Project is a large nonprofit organization that uses creative fun patterns that are turned into wigs and beanies for children with cancer.
Perhaps it’s time to get some hooks and yarn and practice a single slip knot, single and double crochet!
Not sure how to LOVE the month? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.
Here are some activities that you can do during National CROCHET Month!
You don’t always have to crochet in your favorite chair. My grandmother and mom used to always bring a skein of yarn with them while waiting at the doctor’s office or in a lobby, etc. Show off your crochet prowess in public so people can stare in wonder. Maybe they might want to take up the craft as well.
I can remember Nanny always going to the sewing & pattern section of different department stores growing up. She would spend hours upon hours looking up catalogs like Simplicity, McCall’s, and Vogue. I had nothing to do except boredly sit in those little high chairs they had to read the pattern catalogs on slanted surfaces.
Later she would always photocopy all sorts of crochet patterns from similar booklets. If you already know how to crochet, learn a new technique or chain. Be adventurous and try and make a new piece of wearable clothing or doily.
Teach someone else how to crochet. In the age of Youtube and social media, it’s not quite the same as having an accessible teacher in your midst that you can ask questions or to show a better way! Take a local crochet class or ask your neighbor. You might even have a family member willing to show you a few pointers.
Use social media posts with the hashtags #NationalCrochetMonth, #CrochetMonth, #Crochet, #CrochetersOfInstagram, #NationalCraftMonth, #SpecialInterestHolidays, #MarchHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you ❤️ National CROCHET Month.
Scottish outlaw who was part of the MacGregor Highland clan and later became a national hero as a sort of Robin Hood of Scotland where he feuded with the Duke of Montrose. Born 1671.
ROB ROY Quote
“What is honor? Honor is what no man can give ya. And none can take away. Honor is man’s gift to himself.”
American legal scholar best known as the 59th US Supreme Court justice. His father is Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr who had written a fifth verse to the “Star-Spangled Banner”. Born 1841.
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES JR Quote inscribed at the entrance above the Internal Revenue Service
“Taxes are what we pay for civilized society.”
American actor famous for his bold light blue eyes and best known for roles in Benny & Joon and Practical Magic. He was Paramount’s first choice as the lead in The Last Temptation of Christ until they ultimately passed and Universal gained the rights and chose Willem Dafoe to play the title character instead. Born 1959.
AIDAN QUINN Quote
“Money is just something to be circulated.”
| Year | Date | Month of the Year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | March 1 | March |
| 2024 | March 1 | March |
| 2025 | March 1 | March |
| 2026 | March 1 | March |
| 2027 | March 1 | March |
Crochet has never really disappeared. People simply practice and refine their skills. A crocheted item is very rewarding and can help pass the time constructively. The items you make will be cherished. Perhaps you could wear a dress or swimsuit made of crochet design someday and sport it around your friends. Won’t that look cool?
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