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Crochet Hacking: Repair and Refashion Clothes with Crochet
Crochet new life into unloved, unworn clothes with sustainable fashion hacks!
This book is not just a collection of crochet patterns or a selection of makes to keep you looking ‘de rigeur’. Oh no! This book is actually a toolkit of hints, tips and instructions to help you rethink the clothes that are already around you, from your own wardrobe to second-hand stores and thrifted finds. This book is a way of life.
Whether it's repairing tears and holes, adjusting the fit of a garment such as increasing the length of the body or sleeves, or completely restyling a piece of clothing into something altogether more exciting, these innovative crochet ideas will keep more garments out of landfill and bring them back to life as your new wardrobe faves.
Sustainable fashion hero and crochet hacking pioneer Emma Friedlander-Collins of @SteelandStitch takes you step-by-step through the process of crocheting into denim, jersey, wool and other fabrics, with 17 projects to save you money AND save the planet!
This book is not just a collection of crochet patterns or a selection of makes to keep you looking ‘de rigeur’. Oh no! This book is actually a toolkit of hints, tips and instructions to help you rethink the clothes that are already around you, from your own wardrobe to second-hand stores and thrifted finds. This book is a way of life.
Whether it's repairing tears and holes, adjusting the fit of a garment such as increasing the length of the body or sleeves, or completely restyling a piece of clothing into something altogether more exciting, these innovative crochet ideas will keep more garments out of landfill and bring them back to life as your new wardrobe faves.
Sustainable fashion hero and crochet hacking pioneer Emma Friedlander-Collins of @SteelandStitch takes you step-by-step through the process of crocheting into denim, jersey, wool and other fabrics, with 17 projects to save you money AND save the planet!
120 pages, Paperback
Published September 15, 2020
48 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
August 14, 2020
I have been a keen follower of Emma's from her columns in 'Simply Crochet' magazine, and even keener since I found her on Instagram-her ideas for changing and be-spoking items that don't spark joy any longer are beguling to say the least.
From taking apart sweatshirts, making jeans into dungarees and bed sheets into jumpsuits, she is a passionate advocate for the 'be more aware of the change you want to be' movement. I am so excited to see, in paperback format, these 17 tutorials which will have you thinking twice about your recycling. Odds and ends of yarn can become granny squares, which can then become sleeves. Sleeves can become leg warmers. Jumpers that you aren't ready to part with, but don't know how to wear, can become 'you' again. With minimal skills but maximum enthusiasm, mending and fixing will take on a whole new meaning.
Put joy back into your clothes whilst being eco-conscious-this is a great read especially for those stuck at home without access to crafting shops etc. It shows what you can do with very little equipment and some time. Each piece can be deconstructed and remade to suit you.
Clothes shopping will never be the same again-here are great reasons to thrift, re-use, let your friends know that you upcycle, because when you do, I guarentee it will start a ripple effect amongst your friendship circles (says she, sitting Smaug-like on a pile of jeans worn through in the crotch and at the knees, shirts and sweaters...)
Oh and one more thing, don't forget to ask before you hack up a loved one's sweaters and shirts when closet diving.....
From taking apart sweatshirts, making jeans into dungarees and bed sheets into jumpsuits, she is a passionate advocate for the 'be more aware of the change you want to be' movement. I am so excited to see, in paperback format, these 17 tutorials which will have you thinking twice about your recycling. Odds and ends of yarn can become granny squares, which can then become sleeves. Sleeves can become leg warmers. Jumpers that you aren't ready to part with, but don't know how to wear, can become 'you' again. With minimal skills but maximum enthusiasm, mending and fixing will take on a whole new meaning.
Put joy back into your clothes whilst being eco-conscious-this is a great read especially for those stuck at home without access to crafting shops etc. It shows what you can do with very little equipment and some time. Each piece can be deconstructed and remade to suit you.
Clothes shopping will never be the same again-here are great reasons to thrift, re-use, let your friends know that you upcycle, because when you do, I guarentee it will start a ripple effect amongst your friendship circles (says she, sitting Smaug-like on a pile of jeans worn through in the crotch and at the knees, shirts and sweaters...)
Oh and one more thing, don't forget to ask before you hack up a loved one's sweaters and shirts when closet diving.....
September 15, 2021
I was looking forward to reading this book but was disappointed in the quality of the work it showcased. The author also tosses out a lot of data about consumer habits, though she says that "most people throw away half a kilo of clothes a year" (p4) and "every year the average person throws away 31kg of clothes..." (p41). Which?
The author's color palette is on the far end of the spectrum from mine, but I'm able to overlook that. What is hard to forgive is the lumpy ugliness of many of the projects! When you are making things by hand, it's important to get the details and the finishing right so it doesn't look homemade—in the bad sense of the word. I would expect that an author would highlight their best (looking) work but that doesn't seem to be the case here... In the photo of the Eezypeezy Zipper Jacket (p 63), you can clearly see extraneous yarn bits and zipper tops that don't align with the edge of the jacket. The sleeves of the Not Your Granny's Bomber and the Fairisle Style Cuffs suffer from a gauge problem. The author doesn't much explore yarn of a finer gauge, so the fabric she crochets are fairly thick and heavy. Not all is lost, the All the Fun and None of the Effort Jumper is probably the most successful and well-crafted piece. So, look at this book for inspiration. And swatch, swatch, swatch before hacking!
The author's color palette is on the far end of the spectrum from mine, but I'm able to overlook that. What is hard to forgive is the lumpy ugliness of many of the projects! When you are making things by hand, it's important to get the details and the finishing right so it doesn't look homemade—in the bad sense of the word. I would expect that an author would highlight their best (looking) work but that doesn't seem to be the case here... In the photo of the Eezypeezy Zipper Jacket (p 63), you can clearly see extraneous yarn bits and zipper tops that don't align with the edge of the jacket. The sleeves of the Not Your Granny's Bomber and the Fairisle Style Cuffs suffer from a gauge problem. The author doesn't much explore yarn of a finer gauge, so the fabric she crochets are fairly thick and heavy. Not all is lost, the All the Fun and None of the Effort Jumper is probably the most successful and well-crafted piece. So, look at this book for inspiration. And swatch, swatch, swatch before hacking!
December 31, 2021
Lots of creative "recipes" for using crochet to revamp or remake existing clothing items. The projects are a little too geared towards the idea that every woman can buy a men's large and make it into something that fits her, but the techniques can be used for any size or gender.
April 1, 2024
This book uses projects to teach a way of looking at crocheting into pre-made clothes so that you can do whatever you want to your own clothes.
It's in British crochet, but most of the crocheting is basic enough that it isn't hard to translate. Often the US abbreviations are in parenthesis, too.
It's in British crochet, but most of the crocheting is basic enough that it isn't hard to translate. Often the US abbreviations are in parenthesis, too.
August 9, 2024
Great ideas
Nice for inspiration and a few projects how-tos. It's not an extensive list of projects, but its not meant to be. It was easy to read with great pictures and examples.
Nice for inspiration and a few projects how-tos. It's not an extensive list of projects, but its not meant to be. It was easy to read with great pictures and examples.
October 25, 2024
Renew and reuse
This book got my creative juices going. I was looking for a way to upcycle some t shirts that are a tad to small, mainly in the hip area. I think I know how to crochet onto them to make them new again!!
This book got my creative juices going. I was looking for a way to upcycle some t shirts that are a tad to small, mainly in the hip area. I think I know how to crochet onto them to make them new again!!
November 2, 2020
This is a great book because it shows how to take a skill I already ahve an turn it to another purpose so I can upcycle clothing and other items as well as embellish and repair things I already have.
October 13, 2021
Great ideas but I didn’t care for any of the projects.
January 10, 2024
Nice ideas but only a couple I would use.
May 7, 2025
Reuse and recycle!
I love the idea of making something new out of old clothes and items that would have been tossed away.
I love the idea of making something new out of old clothes and items that would have been tossed away.
August 22, 2025
Very well written with innovative projects. It was certainly motivational to get my own upcycling noting.
October 4, 2025
creative inspiration, unique. sometimes repetitive
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews