In recent years, fast fashion, a phenomenon that describes the rapid mass-production of inexpensive and trendy clothing, has become more popular. It generates negative effects on the environment, as according to Earth.org, the fashion industry contributes to 10% of the world’s carbon footprint, which is the equivalent of the carbon footprint of the European Union.
However, crocheting, a technique that utilizes yarn and needle to produce fabric, is a step forward in reducing reliance on fast fashion, as it encourages hand-made production of clothing.
Sophomore Nhu Bui crochets for fashion, after picking up the hobby in sixth grade during Covid.
“My mom, she bought a little crochet kit, the Costco Harry Potter one,” Bui said. “I didn’t like it at first but then I did it, because I was really bored at that time, it was Covid.”
Bui, who continued growing her skills via online and book tutorials, believes that crocheting can be more environmentally beneficial than factory-produced clothes.
“Right now, there are many factories and many types of brands that are just producing a lot of fast fashion without purpose, and I feel like crocheting will reduce that,” Bui said.
With her acquired skills, Bui has crocheted a cardigan and is currently working on making purse bags. She also makes handmade gifts for her friends, further reducing her reliance on store bought apparel.
“Whenever it’s someone’s birthday or any event or holidays including gifts, I will try to crochet or even hand make stuff that is good,” Bui said. “I feel there is more purpose and meaning by doing handmade stuff for them.”
Similar to Bui, sophomore Shriya Santhosh finds that she considers gift-making for others whenever the occasion arises.
“If I have to give someone a gift, I think about if I could crochet something for them, because I think it’s a lot more personal and also fun to make,” Santhosh said.
Santhosh, upon being introduced to crocheting when she was seven years old and continuing to grow her crochet skills via Youtube tutorials, explains that her mindset on shopping has changed.
“Whenever I see a sweater in the store, I just refrain from buying it, because I’m like, ‘I could probably crochet it’,” Santosh said. “And I usually consider if I could crochet something rather than buy it.”
Santhosh, who has previously made leg warmers, hats, a scarf and a pair of socks for herself, believes that crocheting can reduce fast-fashion trends as well.
“Crocheting can reduce fast fashion trends because it can help you focus on trends that you actually like rather than the ones that are just popular at the time,” Santhosh said.
Santhosh expanded that crocheting is beneficial for the environment.
“Crocheting is beneficial in terms of the environment because it causes you to think more of what you actually need and what you actually want, rather than just buying something just for the sake of having it,” Santhosh said.
