History of the Art of Crochet

We see it everywhere, beautiful crochet baby blankets, hats, scarves, toys, even jewelry; but do you know where it got started?

According to the Crochet Guild of America, the name comes from the Middle French term croc or croche which means hook and was probably developed as we understand crochet around the 16^th century as was known as “crochet lace” in France and “chain lace” in England.

Little is known about crochet’s earliest start and the bit that is known is often contested.  There is the idea that early crochet was done with the fingers instead of the hook we think of today.  Some believe that the art form originated as early as 1500BC as part of work done by nuns which included needlepoint lace and bobbin lace.  There is also reference to “chained trimming” around 1580. You can find more info at Mcgannbrothers.

What we do know is that in the second half of the eighteenth century someone found that chains worked in patterns did not need to be held with fabric backing, but instead created a “fabric” of its own.  This work was called tambour or tambouring and was done using hooks as thin as sewing needles and very fine thread.

As the art developed over the years, Mlle Riego de la Branchardiere became known around the ninetheenth century for her ability to take needle and bobbin lace designs the turn them into crochet patterns that could be duplicated.  She published numerous patterns and claimed to have invented lace crochet which is referred to today as Irish crochet.

Those artists that use crochet to create amazing works of art should be celebrated!  Today, with all the choices of amazing threads and yarns there is no end to what can be created.  To make it even more interesting, there are a number of jewelry artists that are taking everything from artistic wire to sterling silver and crocheting the most amazing jewelry!

Now that you have an idea of where it came from, scroll through the crochet work done by the talented artisans on Handmade Artists.

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