Crochet: A Love Affair with Thread, Freedom and the Spirit of the ‘70s
There’s something timeless about crochet. A single thread looped and knotted by hand, delicate yet full of strength, soft yet made to last. Crochet has been around for centuries, but it truly came to life in the cultural swirl of the 1960s and 1970s, when creativity, rebellion and freedom of expression stitched their way into every part of fashion.
A Craft Reborn
Crochet first appeared in Europe in the 19th century, often used to mimic lace or as a thrifty way to make practical pieces at home. By the time the countercultural revolution hit in the 1960s, crochet wasn’t just craft. It was culture. Suddenly, yarn wasn’t just for doilies and bedspreads. It became a medium of art, rebellion and self-expression.
Young women, and men too, embraced crochet as part of the handmade movement. Each stitch carried with it a message of independence: rejecting the fast-paced consumerism of the post-war era and leaning instead into slow creation, individuality and the beauty of imperfection.
The Icons of the ‘60s and ‘70s
From Woodstock fields to Studio 54 dancefloors, crochet became iconic. Think of open-knit dresses worn over bikinis, fringed vests, psychedelic-colored granny square jackets and halterneck crop tops. These were garments that moved with the body, lit up in the sun and spoke of freedom.
It was also a decade of drama and detail. Long fringe swayed with every step, floral crochet patterns bloomed across gowns, and ruffled maxis created that irresistible bohemian silhouette. Designers like Bill Gibb and Ossie Clark wove crochet and handcrafted textures into their collections, bringing the free-spirited aesthetic of the streets and fields onto the runway. Today, pieces like our Chain Reaction Crochet Fringe Maxi Dress carry that same spirit, the kind of head-turning stunner that echoes the energy of the era.
Crochet and Chasing Unicorns
At Chasing Unicorns, we’ve always been drawn to the spirit of the 1970s, that magical time when fashion was about freedom, not rules. Crochet embodies this perfectly. Every piece tells a story of care and craftsmanship, yet it’s never too precious to wear, dance in or love hard.
We love how versatile it is. A beaded crochet set can take you from a barefoot beach day to a balmy dinner, just like our Love In Mind Beaded Crochet Set. A flowing gown can be worn two ways, high-neck Victorian one day, plunging and playful the next. Think Fire On The Mountain Crochet Ruffle Maxi Dress. Even the everyday layers feel steeped in nostalgia. The kind of cardigan-coat you find yourself living in, inside and out, season after season, like our Magic Carpet Ride Crochet Long Coat.
Crochet is about connection: to the past, to craft, to ourselves. When you slip on a crochet dress or throw a long coat over your shoulders, you’re not just putting on clothes. You’re carrying forward a legacy of women and men who chose to make with their hands, to honour individuality and to dress with soul.
Still Iconic Today
Fast forward to now and crochet remains as iconic as ever. Designers continue to draw on its heritage, from Alessandro Michele’s romantic textures at Gucci to Gabriela Hearst’s refined interpretations at Chloé, as well as the always iconic Missoni, whose knit patterns remain instantly recognisable. Whether reimagined in earthy tones, paired with leather boots or styled with denim cut-offs, crochet continues to evoke that irresistible mix of nostalgia and freedom. In a world where everything feels fast, it reminds us to slow down, loop by loop, stitch by stitch.
Crochet is more than fashion. It is a thread that runs through time, connecting us to an era of freedom and creativity we’ll always come back to here at Chasing Unicorns!
