Crochet, an ancient female art, based on creativity.

Crochet is a handmade process of creating textiles by using a crochet hook to interlock loops of thread, which can be of silk, cotton or wool.The name is derived from the French term crochet, meaning ‘small hook’.

Crochet art is one of the traditional handicrafts that Syrian women practice in cities and the countryside. They created square-shaped fabrics in bright colors, or many napkins to decorate tables. It is considered to be a continuation of traditions that reflect the spirit and nature of human interaction with this deeply ingrained art in history.

Crochet hooks are mostly made of aluminum, but they are also available in plastic, bamboo or wood, especially large sizes, and whatever materials are made of them, the size of the hooks uses a standard system, and there are three systems of different size hooks.

The origin of crochet art goes back to 1500 BC when it was woven with fingers instead of the needle then they used simple tools from bones, wood, or animal pods. Studies indicate that crochet art moved from the Arabian Peninsula and Mesopotamia to China and Tibet, to return by the Silk Road which connected the east to the west.

There are many typesof fabric used in this art, summer ones, which are characterized by the lightness of the type of fabric and winter ones, which are characterized by the thickness. Theyuse materials such as: natural cotton, microfiber, linen and natural silk.

Nuns in the West used this craft to weave garments for the saints. Then they taught it to the girls of noble and affluent families in Europe until the French Revolution took part in transferring the crochet art to the public.

The art of crochet is mainly related to women. It reflects her ability to be patient, and focused, and of course it is also related to creativity and art.

Lara Khouli