The Thrifty Six in Crochet Revival
Jane chose this month’s thrifty theme and it was like a sweet song for my bohemian soul. A crochet revival! Yes, please.
I love the inherently relaxed vibe created by crocheted items, flashing us back to the antiestablishment countercultures of the 1960s and 1970s. It was a time of modern bohemianism, a rise in hippie mentality and an increase in openly alternative lifestyles. Crochet became an iconic fashion trend that represented the generation which gave birth to Xers like myself. In traditional Gen X style, we do like to revive old things and make them new, creating a sustainable way to remain fashionable on a budget. Because we have lived long enough to know the damage that is caused by the overabundance of fast fashion, this group has made it our mission to inspire others to find their own creative style in preloved and thrifted fashion.
Did you know that crochet predates the Generation X trend by approximately 8,500 years? Yes, this method of creating textiles by using techniques of interlocking loops of fibers with a hook dates as far back as 6500 BC. Similar techniques of looping were emerging at the same time in ancient China, Egypt, and South America, but this crocheting was slightly different from the crocheting we know today. (Check out this article.)
As ancient cultures began trading with one another, crocheting techniques made their way around the globe and began taking on different forms depending on the culture. Modern crocheting as we know it today began to emerge in 16th century Europe as Italian nuns started crocheting intricate Venetian laces for European royalty and nobility. By the 19th century, crochet had become so popular worldwide that books were printed with patterns, making what was once a fashion trend available only to the rich and elite accessible to anyone with the patience to learn the craft of crochet. I am not one of those people. I can do a lot of things but crocheting is not one of them.
So when I want to add crochet into my wardrobe, I have to purchase it. And I have purchased quite a bit of crochet in my life…like these crocheted sunflower earrings, this crocheted poncho, this mint green crocheted dress, this blue and pink crocheted mini dress, this tan and pink crocheted mini dress, this long dark purple crocheted cardigan, my colorful granny square cardigan, this crocheted lace vest, this olive green crocheted sweater and white crocheted skirt, and various crocheted hats and other things.
But not a single one of those items was purchased secondhand. Oh no! That means I had to take myself on a thrifting adventure! With crochet on the brain, I had high hopes of finding some really good stuff in my local thrift shop. And I did. In fact, I found three really fun crocheted sweaters that came home with me. I actually created outfits for all three sweaters with the intention of sharing three different crochet looks in this post, but it will not stop raining here. I managed to get one crocheted outfit photographed in between showers and storm clouds.
The first outfit for my crochet revival pairs this newly thrifted olive green crocheted sweater with my super colorful patchwork skirt that was preloved and passed onto me by sweet Daenel. My thrifted suede moccasins suited the hippie feel of the boho skirt and sweater combination. Because it was so rainy and cold and crochet does not do very much by way of keeping me warm, I needed an extra layer to shield my back from the chill in the air. I tried a few different denim toppers but this preloved long denim vest that I wore for last month’s double denim challenge looked the best.
These was a lot going on with this outfit so I kept my accessories minimal with my olive green floppy felt hat, a new pair of flea market earrings, and a big tassel necklace.
I was really pleased with how well this outfit came together in a way that represents my personality. If you want to try a trend without investing a lot of money, thrifting is the way to go!
So how did my thrifty friends illustrate their crochet revivals? Click on the links or images below for details about each outfit.
- Emma of Style Splash
- Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade
- Jodie of Jodie’s Touch of Style
- Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
- Sally of Within a World of My Own
- Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge
The Thrifty Six is a group of international fashion lovers who meet once a month in our little space on the internet to share our thrifty outfits. On the third Monday of every month, we will all share an outfit based on a theme that features preloved wardrobe pieces. Shopping and reselling preloved clothing is so much better for the environment and you can find some of the best fashions in thrift or charity shops. The Thrifty Six are here not only to inspire you to shop second hand but to also get creative in your closets.
Emma of Style Splash
-Emma
Jane of Preloved-Vintage-Handmade
…I’ve reconstructed it from the waistband to the lining and even re-crocheted it in parts.
The top is also a 70’s piece although I feel its spirit is Edwardian. Styled together I’ve created a crochet dress which sings to my boho soul…
My style crosses boundaries, I can’t put a name on it yet boho is the closest to my heart.”
-Jane
Jodie of Jodie’s Touch of Style
-Jodie
Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style
something crochet. I thought it was a top, but I could only find this
dress. I received it from someone, can’t even remember from who, like
ten years ago or so. And although I do love the look, it’s not me.
Crochet is somewhat too hippy for me. It does not suit me. And of course
the colour isn’t doing anything for me at all. I also can’t remember
wearing this dress, so this must have been the only time.”
-Nancy
Sally of Within a World of My Own
-Sally
Shelbee of Shelbee on the Edge
-Shelbee
If you enjoyed our sartorial interpretations of the crochet revival, please be sure to stop by on June 16, 2025, to see how we style Sally’s next thrifty theme. Until then, wear what you love and make every day a special occasion worthy of a fabulous outfit!
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
14 Comments
Anne M Bray
You gotta see this, that time a museum facade was covered in crochet!
(Plus what I wore)
https://spygirl-amb.blogspot.com/2013/05/granny-squared.html
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I love it! I have an orange, brown, and yellow granny square afghan that I thrifted a while back and I was trying to figure out a way to make it wearable. Now you have given me some ideas!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
I really like Emma’s coat. Possible to take some rows off your afghan to form the sleeves? (Thinking about this for myself too). My problem with most thrifted afghans is they were crocheted with synthetic yarn.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I love Emma’s coat! Oooh, you are right about the synthetic yarn. I think mine is synthetic because it doesn’t feel very soft. I have it draped over a bench in my upstairs hallway. The cats like to lie on it but I don’t think I want to cover myself with it. It looks cool in my home decor but maybe I don’t want to wear it after all! Ick to those synthetics!
xoxo
Shelbee
Anne M Bray
Looking at Emma’s photo again, you could take the row(s) from your center front (half entire length) and use that if you need extra for the sleeves – depends upon width of afghan.
I’ll send you a sketch, trying to describe it is near impossible!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I will have to find another one that isn’t icky synthetic so I can convert it to a sweater. I like what you are thinking though and would love to see a sketch!
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
I loved reading about crochet as I do crochet a lot. I just got a pattern for a cute cardigan. I just need to figure out what colors! I love this boho crochet Daeneled look with the olive crochet sweater! It’s so pretty and fun!!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Marsha! I enjoyed reading about the history of crochet as well. It is something that I never learned to do though. I don’t think I would like it. My wrists and fingers are very finicky when it comes to very fine motor skills. They start to hurt really quickly. So I’ll stick to weaving and tying knots instead!
xoxo
Shelbee
Sally in St Paul
Oooh, the neutral olive color is so nice with the colorful skirt – it lets the colors of the skirt shine but adds beautiful texture to the look. Of course crochet is perfect for your boho style 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Sally! I thought the contrast of the muted olive green with the colorful skirt worked really well, too. I was unsure of it at first but once I had it all together, I was pleased with the outfit. If it would ever stop raining here, I could photograph the other two sweaters I found and share them as well. It’s all so cute!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
It is shocking you didn’t have any preloved crochet, but it’s never a bad thing to have to go thrifting, right??
XOOX
Jodie
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I was kind of shocked, too! But I do always like an excuse to go on a thrifting adventure! You can find the coolest things. The one cardigan I bought looks to be doilies sewn together. I actually might add more doilies to it to make it longer before I wear it. I have to add it to my project list…which keeps getting longer and longer!
xoxo
Shelbee
Emma Peach
I’m very surprised that you didn’t own anything crocheted that was preloved! I love this whole outfit, the skirt is beautiful!
Emma xxx
http://www.style-splash.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Emma! I was surprised, too. But now I have three preloved crocheted things!
xoxo
Shelbee