“…for all the sophisticated diversions that our modern world tempts us with, it is the palpable pleasure of a community making and having fun together that endures to become cherished as a local tradition.” Clare Hunter – Making Matters: In Search of Creative Wonders
People of all ages have recently been embracing ‘Grandma hobbies’ and crafting has seen a resurgence in popularity. Those who are looking to make a statement through ‘craftivism’ are enjoying making, mending or altering their own clothes and accessories as an act of quiet rebellion, supported by organisations and collectives like Slow Fashion Movement and ‘Stitch it Don’t Ditch it’. Yarn crafts, upcycling and dyeing clothes you already own are all forms of slow fashion, and offer ways to switch off and detox from constant emails and notifications.
Yarn Crafts – Weaving, Knitting & Crochet
Weaving dates back to prehistoric times. Throughout history, different regions of the world developed their own specialisms. Linen weaving was popular in Egypt, while intricate weaving with geometric patterns was carried out by the Paracas, Nazca and Inca civilisations of Peru and the Andes. There’s also cotton weaving in the Indian regions of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, Kente weaving in Ghana and silk weaving in China. Weaving typically requires a loom whereas tapestry (canvas work or needlepoint) is a form of weaving which can be done without a loom by covering a canvas in decorative stitches. Tapestry can then be attached to garments to create statement pieces.
Knitting in its present-day form is believed to have originated in the Middle East and spread to Europe during the Middle Ages, although other techniques such as nalbinding predated knitting needles. Although casting on and off (knitting your first and last row) takes some mastering, it is surprising how therapeutic it is. Knitted garments and accessories are examples of slow fashion as even a simple scarf can take between 10 and 15 hours, while a full garment will take significantly longer.
The exact origins of crochet are debated but the first known publication of a crochet pattern was in a Dutch magazine called Penélopé in 1823. A cheaper alternative to lace, it was used in Ireland later in the 1800s as a way to make a living during the potato famine. Crochet was also adopted by women across the Indian continent, and places such as Narsapur in Telangana have become hubs for crochet businesses. Equally Scandinavia, South America and Japan have rich traditions of crochet interlinked with cultural heritage. Different global regions all have their own techniques and patterns.
Crochet is a very popular hobby and arguably more beginner-friendly than knitting as only a single hook is needed. It can be used to make intricate blankets, doilies, scarves, bags or clothing detailing such as cuffs and collars. You can even crochet whole garments. There are many tutorials online and plenty of in-person classes available. As with hand knitting, it is a very time-consuming process, making it the perfect hobby for switching off from the stresses of everyday life.
Upcycling
Upcycling has seen a recent rise in popularity as individuals and clothing companies alike look to find creative ways to combat waste in the fashion industry. Upcycling clothes you already own to give them a new lease of life is possible using simple sewing machine skills and/or hand sewing. Embroidering by hand is a very relaxing way to renew old clothes. There are a number of different stitches which can easily be learnt via online tutorials.
Japanese sashiko stitch was originally used by rural communities to repair clothing and quilts and is another popular way to artistically repair and upcycle. The stitches such as seigaiha, asanoha and kikkō were designed to repair clothes whilst giving an artistic and symbolic finish. Boro is the method of adding layers of cloth secured by sashiko stitches to repair and reinforce clothing.
Similarly, visible mending is trending as a way to darn clothes. Menders criss-cross multi-coloured threads or add a patch inside or outside the original material to create an individualised repair. There are lots of online resources, tutorials and in-person workshops to help you get started.
Dyeing
Dyeing is a great way to refresh old clothing. The first chemical dye, ‘mauveine,’ was discovered accidentally in a chemistry lab in 1856. Many people today are looking at traditional natural dyes such as indigo and saffron to avoid contaminating water supplies. Watch our YouTube tutorial if you’re looking for advice on where to start your natural dyeing journey.
Finding your crafting people
If you are looking to reignite an old hobby or learn some new crafting skills, there are lots of ways to link up with other people who are looking to do the same. If you are interested in sewing but don’t know where to start, going to a repair café is a free way to connect with likeminded people who will mend or alter an item for you while you watch. Look out for free local events, such as sewing circles, which are another way to learn and share skills and materials. Signing up to paid classes would be another way to meet other crafters and develop your skills if there aren’t free groups in your area.
Following Slow Fashion Movement on social media in your country (and others!) will link you with a global movement of people trying to make a difference by keeping clothes out of landfill. Check out the Slow Fashion Movement Instagram where you can discover events in your region. Also consider signing up to Slow Fashion season to pledge to slow fashion down with our community!
Emily Southcombe is a climate action advocate based in the East of England with 5 years experience working locally on campaigns such as Count Us In and other sustainability initiatives. She is passionate about upcycling and repair, regularly assisting with repair events. In September 2024 she started working with SFM as a content and research volunteer.
Slow Fashion Instagram Pages –
@slowfashion.movement – Worldwide
@slowfashion.india – India
@slowfashion.arab – In arabic
@slowfashionlatam – Latin America
@slowfashion.spain – Spain
@slowfashion.ireland – Ireland
@slowfashion.france – France
@slowfashion.uk – UK
@slowfashion.japan – Japan
@slowfashionec – Ecuador
@slowfashionpr – Puerto Rico
@slowfashion.philippines – Philippines
@slowfashion.portugal – Portugal
@slowfashion.nepal – Nepal
@slowfashion.netherlands – Netherlands
@slowfashionpakistan – Pakistan
@slow.fashion.iraq – Iraq
@slowfashionmovement.usa – USA
@slowfashion.singapore – Singapore
@slowfashion_srilanka – Sri Lanka
@slowfashion.turkey – Turkey
@slowfashion.belgium – Belgium
@slowfashion.brazil – Brazil
@slowfashion.bangladesh – Bangladesh
@slowfashion.chicago – Chicago
@slowfashion.indonesia – Indonesia
@slowfashion.italia – Italy
@slowfashion.bulgaria – Bulgaria
@slowfashion.canada – Canada
@slowfashion.germany – Germany
@slowfashion.kenya – Kenya
@slowfashion.hnd – Honduras
@slowfashion.iran – Iran
@slowfashion.elsalvador – El Salvador
@slowfashion.mexico – Mexico
References & further reading
Combined Market Traders Association online – Craft Industry Trends for 2025: What’s Hot in Handmade Markets – CMTIA
Wikipedia – History of knitting – Wikipedia
Sheep and Stitch online – How to Cast off Knitting for Total Beginners – Sheep and Stitch
Knitting & Crochet guild online – https://kcguild.org.uk/collection/taster/taster-topics/irish-crochet-taster/
Spruce Crafts online – 15 Stitches Every Embroiderer Should Know
Science & Industry Museum online – World’s first synthetic dye | Science and Industry Museum
Repair café Movement Worldwide – Repair café
BBC Culture 2024 online – How a traditional craft became a Gen-Z statement
Creative Bloq online – 2025’s crafting trends are all about self care and community | Creative Bloq
Prima Magazine online – Craft trends 2025: Sewing, knitting and crochet project ideas to try
Roof Top App online – Crochet In India: A New Trend Or Ancient Tradition | Rooftop
Diving Ducks Crochet online – The Fascinating History of Crochet
Contrado online – What is Crochet? From its Origins to Current Relevance
History Cooperative – A History of Crochet Patterns | History Cooperative
Gathered online – A complete guide to embroidery for beginners | Gathered
Making Matters, In Search of Creative Wonders – Clare Hunter, Hodder & Stoughton, 2025
Stitch it Don’t Ditch It – Mary V Morton, Jeanna Wigger, Quadrille Publishing, 2025
Environomics – How the Global Economy is Going Green – Dharshini David, Elliott & Thompon Ltd, 2024
You will be able to knit by the end of this book – Rosie Fletcher, Hachette, 2020
A Living Mystery, the International Art & History of Crochet, – Annie Louise Potter, A.J. Publishing International, 1990
Upcycle – Annie Phillips, Quadrille Publishing, 2024
