Crocheting 101: Can We Outrun Fast Fashion Through Crocheting?

In a world where environmentally conscious living is becoming more important by the day, crocheting embraces a more sustainable option. And unlike fast fashion, crocheted pieces last longer and support local small businesses.

Crochet enthusiasts may also question the origin and environmental impact of the fibres they use, and this collective awareness drives the exploration of a more eco-friendly lifestyle that uses natural, organic, recycled, and sustainable fibres.

Around 2015, I dabbled in crochet myself while still in secondary school. Crocheting was a trend for schoolgirls, and I attempted to make something. My seatmate had shown me exactly how to make a loop, even though I never fully forayed into it. Among my sisters, I am the one with the least skill and efficiency, but recently, a friend piqued my interest by making me a fancy sunflower bag charm, and with that, sparked the desire again.

A sunflower bag charm | Emmanuella Obididu.

The process of crocheting is relatively inexpensive. To crochet, you need yarn and a crochet needle, and maybe a pattern, which are all things you could get at a local craft store.

Crocheting and Slow Fashion

“Fast fashion is not free. Someone, somewhere is paying the price.” – Lucy Siegle.

Choosing to create your wardrobe and accessories by crocheting reduces our reliance on mass production and, hence, curbs fast fashion.

Here are some reasons you should practice slow fashion through crocheting:

1. Handcrafted pieces are more durable and can be worn for a longer time with proper care. Using your crocheting needles cultivates an appreciation for long-lasting clothes rather than being discarded after a brief period of use.

2. Crocheting gives you room to tailor projects to your preferences. This helps you develop and refine your unique style, leading to fewer clothing purchases. Also, handmade materials require less packaging than commercially produced ones, which are often encased in plastic or non-biodegradable materials.

3. Learning knitting techniques nurtures skills and knowledge that can be passed down to future generations.

4. Crafting by hand requires time, patience, and concentration. It can be your ticket to slowing down your lifestyle and cultivating mindfulness in your everyday routine.

Some Mindful Crocheting Tips

1. Buy from local vendors: The act of “coming home to your own” will never go out of style. Buying yarn from local vendors allows you to support businesses on a smaller scale, which means you buy based on demand, reducing overstocking and waste. Also, many local vendors partner with small-batch dyers, farmers and handmade producers, promoting a slower, more intentional production practice.

2. Upcycling: Reusing old thrifted crocheted materials to make something new. For example, turning a wooled cardigan into a small blanket or rug.

3. Buying with purpose: Instead of bulk buying all the yarns you think you will need for a few projects, you could get what you actually need for the moment to minimise waste. The leftover yarn can then be used to make something fun, like a small towel or gloves.

4. Eco-friendly tools: Going for crochet hooks and accessories that are made from sustainable materials like recycled yarn, recycled plastic, bamboo, or silk is a good place to start.

5. Educate: another way of supporting local vendors is by sharing their work and encouraging people to make eco-friendly choices by supporting brands that practice sustainability.

Some Crocheting Brands To Know

21 Wool Street: This crochet fashion brand is led by Elizabeth Adedeji, who turned her passion into a business. Her primary product lines include dresses and accessories, such as bags and earrings, with practical and versatile designs.

She brings her passion for crochet and her keen eye for fashion to every piece she creates. The brand focuses on both form and function, and their designs of crochet wear are visually stunning. Their lineup ranges from snuggly hats and scarves to chic sweaters and bags.

A crochet dress from 21 Wool Street| 21 Wool Street on Instagram.

Hooked by Lade: This brand started with a passion for style and the unfazed Nigerian spirit. Hooked by Lade was founded by Omobolade Kolade Mayowa, a creative who turned her passion for yarn, and medium for self-expression, into sustainable, handmade crochet bags and outfits while blending playful colours.

By Ore: By Ore is led by Bolade Ore Akinde, who began knitting when she was younger, and it became a business later in life. She believes that within crochet lies the ability to transform fashion and lives.

She targets customers who are modern, conscious, and appreciate handmade, unique pieces. By Ore creates crochet pieces that blend comfort, style, and ethical fashion.

A crochet leopard print sweater from By Ore's The Girls Collection 2025 | By Ore on Instagram.

Bloke: Founded by Faith Oluwajimi in 2015, Bloke is a genderless fashion brand offering a quirky and fashion-forward design aesthetic. The brand uses crochet as one of its creative mediums, merging this with contemporary street style. Bloke is dedicated to sustainability and preserving culture through its distinctive and artistic design style.

A Bloke ensemble from their MIGRANT/ EXPATRIATE ? Collection, 2024| Bloke on Instagram.

Crocheting Tools for Beginners

Wondering what tools you need for crocheting? There's some good news here. There are just a few essential crochet supplies, and they're available at budget-friendly prices.

Crochet Hooks

Crochet hooks come in different sizes, ranging from a tiny 1.8mm to a jumbo 10mm or even more. The size of the hook you need depends on the project you're going to be working on.

Many crocheters eventually buy a set of matching hooks in different sizes, but if you're brand new, you might prefer to just pick up one hook at a time for now. Metal hooks are budget-friendly and very light, and are often a good starting point for beginners.

Yarn

Yarns come in many different colours, thicknesses (Super Chunky, Chunky, Aran, Double Knit, 4 ply and Lace Weight), and fibres (such as synthetic and natural). For beginners, a thicker yarn is often easier to use. It’s best to stay away from the laceweight, which is the thinnest yarn weight, until you feel confident. It's important to get the fibre content right for the item you're going to make.

Scissors

Just like yarn and crochet hooks, sewing scissors have different types and functions as well. Smaller scissors allow you to get close to your work to trim your ends more neatly.

Crochet Project Bags

These are stylish project bags that help you keep your yarn, work in progress, and any accessories together neatly. They make it easier to crochet in public, to separate things if you're working on multiple projects at the same time, and to keep your home crafting space neat. A project bag is a great way to keep things organised.

Darning Needles

Unlike the usual sewing needle, a darning needle is used to weave in your ends when you finish crocheting. It has a big eye for thread or yarn insertion: compared to a sewing needle, it allows you to insert your thread more easily.

Tape Measure

They are flexible and portable for measuring curved or flat surfaces and to make your crochet project precise, especially if you’re following a pattern.

Hook Organiser

With your fabric, thread, and a needle, you could make this handy hook organiser. A hook organiser allows you to keep all your crochet hooks in order.

Stitch Markers

Stitch markers are fancy clips that can be used to mark where you start and end your crochet pattern. It is useful if you are working on a round pattern.