Have you ever wondered about the origins of popular craft activities that we enjoy? It is interesting to know that the crafts that we continue to hone today date back hundreds of years ago and have been passed on from generation to generation. Bringing with it a rich history that ties us back to our roots.
As a growing child in the 90s, I had an endless curiosity about different crafts. I spent hours reading about it and experimenting with discoveries that allowed me to create beautiful things with my hands. The joys of creating haven’t diminished. After over a decade of being busy with my career among other things, I am now rediscovering my passion. I continue to learn more fascinating crafts. This blog is allowing me to continue exploring where my imagination will take me.
Here are the top five of the most popular yarn and fiber crafts of all time and some interesting bits of facts about them:
- Crochet
- Embroidery
- Quilting
- Knitting
- Macrame
“The difference between art and craft lies not in the tools you hold in your hands, but in the mental set that guides them. For the artisan, craft is an end in itself. For you, the artist, craft is the vehicle for expressing your vision. Craft is the visible edge of art.”
David Bayles
Crochet
I learned about crochet at quite a young age. It is one of the most popular crafts and relatively easy to study. One of our Aunties who was staying with us knew how to crochet. After knowing about this, I endlessly begged her to teach me. In between all the chores that grownups do, I ended up persuading her to make tiny clothes for my Barbies. I remember that we had an ombre green and pink yarn. She made two sets of ball skirts and halter tops for me and my younger sister. Hers were the pink ones and mine was green. That was my first memory of my interest in crochet.
The word “crochet” originated from the French word “croc” or “crochet” meaning hook and the word “krokr” which means hook. According to the Crochet Guild of America or CGOA, this popular craft dates back to as early as the 1500s. Italian nuns use it as church textile. Crochet became known as the poor man’s lace. Referencing to intricate lace handwork that only the well-to-do can afford to have. There were stories that throughout the potato famine in Ireland from 1845 to 1850, farmers relied on their crocheting skills to earn enough money to allow their families to migrate to America and rebuild their lives.
Today, the internet has allowed people from all over the world to share their love for the craft. Free resources are available online. Learning about new techniques and materials to use has never been easier. To learn more about the history of crochet through the years, the CGOA has a website that you can explore to learn more and maybe connect with other crocheters.
Embroidery
Embroidery is an artful technique that makes use of different colored threads to embellish textile and other materials. As early as 300 AD, the Swedes used sewing techniques like the stem stitch, whip stitch, and buttonhole stitch all of which are different types of traditional hand embroidery. Historically, embroidery skill is a sign of affluence. Wealthy families teach their daughters the craft as part of their passage rites into womanhood. Throughout history, archaeologists consider the embroidered fabric an important artifact. It serves as a window to our cultural heritage.
Embroidery is a popular craft. The Chinese are well known for their intricately designed silk fabrics. They adorn them with lustrous threads in jewel colors that symbolize prosperity. Traditional rugs in Turkey and Kazakhstan have become heirlooms of their culture. The village of Fontenoy-le-Château was the center of the craft in France. Women of the village worked up to fifteen hours a day to produce pieces of clothing, adornments, and accessories for kings and queens around the world. Today the Museum of Embroidery, Metallurgy, and Heritage in Vosges, northern region of France houses some of these masterpieces.
Today, embroidery remains to be one of the most popular crafts among enthusiasts. Times may have changed along with the industrial revolution of the 18th century. Sophisticated machines now produce huge quantities at a fraction of the time people used to need to complete designs. It is not just something for the wealthy.
Nowadays, anybody can find embroidered pieces of clothing or accessories that their budget allows. Real handcrafted masterpieces that you can find just about everywhere have grown in value. There is no shortage of designs you would like to make yourself or buy.
Quilting
Quilting is joining together at least three layers of fabric to form a base fabric. It is then sewn into pieces of clothing, accessories, soft toys, and beddings among others.
These three layers consist of the following:
- quilt top layer
- batting or the middle layer
- backing or inner layer
These are sewn together using a running stitch to hold them all intact. The purpose of this stitching is originally to hold together the layers to make the quilt more durable. Over the years, this topstitching has become an integral part of its design. Quilters have become more creative and would use it to tell a story or follow a specific pattern to provide a decorative look to the finished product.
Quilting has a rich history in popular crafts. The Chinese and the Egyptians are the earliest quilters. They use the quilts they make as outerwear. These clothes help keep them warm in the winter months. During the 1600s, girls in England start sewing at the young age of three or four years old. They will finish their first piece of quilt by five years old.
As a rite of passage and before reaching marrying age, girls are expected to make at least twelve pieces of quilt. This collection includes an extra piece with an intricate design. This piece will be her marriage quilt. Every traditional quilt pattern tells of a tradition passed on over the years. Traditional appliques for marriage quilts are roses, hearts, and bells applique.
Today, quilting remains to be a very popular craft. We reduce fabric waste by using scraps to make quilts. Organizations worldwide continue to foster and hone their quilting skills to build community among fellow members. The Modern Quilting Guild provides great support to members worldwide.
Knitting
Knitting is the art of looping together yarn by using two needles to create pieces of clothing and other accessories. This popular craft, like crochet, is fairly easy to do. There are two ways to knit. One is manually by using knitting needles and your hands. The second way is by using a knitting machine. There are simple machines available online for home projects. Industrial-grade machines are also available to produce in bulk. Socks are one of the most popular pieces of knitted clothing.
Knits are naturally stretchy. Its mechanical construction gives it the ability to be pulled in all directions. This quality makes knitted garments very comfortable to wear. Different types of yarns are used for knitting. Yarn colors and textures can add to the luxurious or utilitarian design of the garment or accessory being made.
Animal and plant fibers dyed using natural dyestuff are traditionally used to make knitting yarns. Hundreds and thousands of different patterns and designs are available online for anybody who is looking. Nowadays we have the advantage of technology to create synthetic yarns and dyestuff. Design and application possibilities are endless. We can produce vast quantities using less effort. Because of its multitude of qualities that are beneficial both for the wearer and the maker, knits continue to be a popular piece of clothing and one of the more popular crafts.
Macrame
Macrame is a textile craft made by knotting yarn rather than weaving it. These knots form a geometrical pattern that usually characterizes this popular craft. In the earlier times, Arabs would use knots to tie the ends and make decorative fringes for hand-loomed towels, shawls, and veils. Nowadays, you will see macrame wall hangings, decorative adornments for vases, plant hangers, bags, jewelry, and other small pieces of accessories. It has become one of the popular crafts for crafters and handmade enthusiasts alike.
Materials used for macrame are usually thick cords made of cotton twine, jute, linen, hemp, leather, and other similar materials. There is a wide variety to choose from. Craft stores usually have kits that will provide the pattern and materials and teach you the basics of mini macrame projects. Once you get the hang of it, you can venture into more complicated designs.
Given the popularity of macrame, you can find a lot of online inspirations via Instagram and Pinterest-worthy posts. There are many artists that share their works for us to learn from and enjoy.
Which of these popular crafts have you tried or want to try?
Check out the DIY Projects page for some projects that you might want to try for your next crafting break.
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