Crocheting is a craft that has been in existence for many years since ancient times yet its origin is not clearly known. Some believe it all began with the Asians and other Egyptians. I mean there are many theories about the existence of crocheting.
Even with all these contradictory theories about its origin, one thing remains constant. It is an art that plays a very vital role in connecting people through creativity, and especially with the current emergence of crocheters who are redefining the crochet industry with different trends and styles.
The crochet industry is a blend of tradition and innovation, with various cultures and a growing global market. Whether as a hobby or a business, it continues to inspire creativity and connect people worldwide.
Crocheting is considered to be a sustainable fashion practice due to several factors including, the fact that crocheting can only be done by hand, which eliminates the need for energy-intensive machinery and reduces the carbon footprint compared to mass-produced garments.
Secondly, Handmade crochet items are often custom-made and valued for their uniqueness and durability, leading to longer usage and less frequent replacement. This is majorly contributed by the use of organic cotton, wool, or bamboo which also has less environmental impact.
Crocheting often involves precision crafting which factors in exact measurements leading to minimal material waste compared to industrial manufacturing processes.
However, despite crocheting being considered as a sustainable fashion practice, it has its own controversies, ranging from materials, labor practices, environmental impacts, cost, scalability, market demand, and a lot more. Let’s look at some of the controversies;
Many commercially available yarns especially in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania (East Africa) market are synthetic fibers like acrylics ( Robin, butterfly, winter king, etc). Synthetic fibers are derived from petroleum which has a significant impact on the environment more specifically on microplastic pollution. However, even the natural fibers such as cotton yarns which are available are imported and a few that are grown are done conventionally,
meaning that the farming involves the use of harmful pesticides and is water intensive. This does not align with the standards of a sustainable fashion practice.
While crocheting is a skillful craft, it is always undervalued in terms of fair wages, more so for artisans from developing countries. The majority are quoted saying “Ideally I need to sell this product at a very high cost because of the amount of work that goes into producing a single product, but the fact that it is not appreciated enough and the competition from fast fashion” Fair wages is a fundamental part of a sustainable fashion.
Many yarns are dyed with chemical dyes that are harmful to the environment, while a better alternative of natural dyes can work effectively, it can have its own environmental impacts if not managed sustainably.
In conclusion, crocheting can be a sustainable fashion practice when done with careful consideration of materials, fair labor practices, and mindful consumption. However, the controversies highlight the complexity and need for a holistic approach to a truly sustainable fashion.
