Crochet shakes off stuffy old image to become fashion’s freshest DIY trend

Crocheting is fun and it is easy to pick up simple stitches, the managing director of Inside Crochet magazine says. Photograph: Kirsten Mavric

From maxidresses to tank tops and colourful totes, the high street is bedecked with crocheted fashion this summer. But while shops are full of ready-to-wear styles they face increasingly stiff competition from homemade efforts.

In recent years crochet has managed to shake off associations with blankets and tea cosies, with social media sites such as TikTok and Instagram full of influencers and young creators sharing festival-worthy fashion “makes” and posting tips and videos.