A Co Antrim creative has spoken about how crocheting has helped ease her anxiety and connect her with what she describes as an “amazing” global community of crafters.
Caitlin Armstrong (32), who is originally from Whitehead but currently lives near Manchester, first picked up a crochet hook as a child after being taught by her nanny.
She explains that what began as a hobby soon became an “obsession” which followed her into adulthood and, after graduating with a degree in textile art, design and fashion from Ulster University, she launched her own crochet business.
“I set up the business when I was in between jobs and had sort of reverted back to crocheting because it felt very therapeutic and helped take my mind off my anxiety,” she says.
“I started making these really colourful bucket hats and selling them on sites like Etsy and Depop and it really took off from there.
“Then over the last year or so I’ve started making digital crochet patterns for people to buy so they can make my pieces themselves.
“That’s been a really nice experience because I’ve kind of created this community of pattern testers. So before I release a pattern, I do an Instagram and TikTok post asking if there’s anyone who would like to test it for me, which you need to do to make sure there aren’t any mistakes or flaws in the design.
“And now there’s people in America testing my patterns, I’ve become really friendly with a woman from France, it’s just an amazing community to be a part of, especially because I’m living in England now and don’t have many friends nearby so it’s been great to have that online community.”
However, Caitlin is not simply reproducing familiar crochet staples. Her work has grown increasingly imaginative, taking her from bold bucket hats to sculptural Halloween showpieces and whimsical accessories.
“With crochet I just feel like the possibilities are endless – it’s so versatile," she enthuses.
“I think most people think it’s only good for making things like a granny square blanket but there’s just so much you can do with it – it’s amazing.”
The clearest example of that versatility is her “diseased anatomy” Halloween dress – a white Vinted find she transformed into an outfit lined with crocheted human organs.
“That’s definitely one of my favourite pieces to date,” she laughs.
“I’ve always had a thing for gore and blood, so I thought ‘why not try and make that into something that’s wearable?’
“I’m not 100 per cent sure where the idea to put a crocheted diseased anatomy on a dress actually came from, probably watching a horror film or something, but it stuck in my head so I figured I might as well give it a go.”
The dress also speaks to Caitlin’s making style. There is no strict process or detailed blueprint, and much of her work is driven by instinct and experimentation.
“I usually just do a very basic sketch to give me a rough idea of what I’m doing and then I start doing what I like to call ‘sketching in 3D’,” she describes.
“I just pick up the crochet hook and the yarn and start making something and figuring it out as I go along.
“Although getting the anatomy right was quite tricky – nobody would have wanted to look at my Google search history - it was just all the internal organs, because I was trying to find decent images to base the crochet on.”
Her creativity and experimental approach have also opened the door to some unique and unusual commissions from customers.
“I’ve had someone from Amsterdam contact me about making them a scary rave balaclava,” she says.
“It’s kind of based on one that I’ve done before but he’s going to send me some ideas, I’ll send some to him and we’ll work out how we’re going to make it.
“But sometimes people send me an idea or reference pictures and the items have been sewn or knitted, and I’ll have to figure out a way to translate it into crochet, but I quite like doing that to be honest.
“I’m very lucky in the sense that I tend to be able to look at something and then crochet it – I can just see it so clearly in my head once I start working on it.”
Caitlin’s work sits within a wider revival of crochet, which in recent years has moved firmly into the mainstream, from festival fashion and handmade accessories on TikTok to the now-famous oversized cardigan worn by Cynthia Erivo in Wicked: For Good, which sparked a wave of recreations and online commentary.
The Co Antrim artist believes the renewed interest comes down to visibility and creativity.
“Whenever I first started out there weren’t that many people making crochet bucket hats or crochet witches hats, and over the years I’ve definitely seen more and more people doing that kind of thing,” she says.
“I think a part of it is social media – when you share something, everyone can see it instantly and think ‘oh, maybe I could do that’ or ‘I’d suit that’, and it just spreads.
“But I also think people are becoming more creative and want to make their own clothes and be a little bit more sustainable, which is great to see.”
Crochet’s growing popularity also sits comfortably with Caitlin’s own values. Sustainability runs through her work and her wardrobe, as she rarely buys new clothes, preferring to mend, thrift or make pieces herself.
She hopes the revival of handcraft will encourage more people to move away from fast fashion.
“Sustainability is a big part of my life in general,” she admits.
“If there’s a hole in my trousers I’ll fix it, if there’s a Halloween costume I want, I’ll make it. I’ve crocheted outfits for weddings and all sorts.
“I’ve just always thought if there’s something that you want and you can’t find it online just try and make it yourself.
“It doesn’t work all the time but making something that’s totally unique and totally you and not mass produced is so much fun and prevents so much waste.”
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With sustainability at the heart of everything she makes, Caitlin hopes to continue building her business in a way that keeps creativity at its core.
“My head is full of so many ideas and I’ve got so many projects I’d like to do, so I think next year will just be about ticking them off the list,” she says.
“I love crocheting – it’s my passion and my creative outlet – I think I’d go mad if I didn’t have something to do because I like having something else to work on.
“It really helps me detach from the world and focus on what I’m doing so my main aim at the moment is to just keep at it.”
For more information about Caitlin’s designs follow @cait_maker on Instagram or visit www.etsy.com/caitmaker11.