When we view fashion through a cultural lens, we gain a deeper appreciation for how clothing transcends mere style—it reflects the distinctive features that shape our societies and social groups. This perspective also reveals how sustainability has long been practiced in traditional textile arts and crafts.
Viral Crochetting Man
A powerful example is the image of a man knitting on the subway nearly 3 years ago. It spotlighted how cultural sustainability can spark unexpected discussions, in this case around gender norms and hobbies. Knitting and crocheting have traditionally been pigeonholed as “women’s work,” even though creating textiles through these crafts is not inherently gendered.
Knitting and crocheting have traditionally been pigeonholed as “women’s work,” even though creating textiles through these crafts is not inherently gendered. This perception stems from patriarchal norms that have long associated fibre arts like knitting, sewing, and embroidery with domestic femininity. Historically, these skills were passed down from mothers to daughters as essential homemaking tasks for producing clothing and household items.
As the Industrial Revolution enabled mass textile production, these handicrafts were increasingly considered leisurely hobbies rather than economic necessities. However, the gendered stereotype persisted, reinforced by marketing that catered knitting and crochet supplies almost exclusively to women. Even today, these crafts are often stereotypically depicted as activities for grandmothers or homemakers. In reality, there is nothing inherently feminine about manipulating yarn or thread to create fabric.
Men have practiced knitting and crocheting for centuries, dating back to medieval Europe when male-dominated guilds trained master knitters. Sailors and soldiers utilized these skills for practical purposes, while the Renaissance and Baroque eras saw men creating intricate pieces. Despite industrialization, hand-knitting remained vital, with men contributing to fashion and textiles. Cultural significance is evident in traditions like Peru’s chullos, and intricately knit hats symbolizing identity.
Yet the lingering “women’s work” stigma can make it uncomfortable for men and boys to openly embrace these crafts without facing ridicule or having their masculinity questioned. Seeing a man knitting in public, as in the subway image, challenges these outdated gender norms and biases around textile arts. Today, knitting and crocheting have resurged among men, valued for their therapeutic and creative benefits, with male artists redefining these crafts in contemporary art and design.
The Sustainability of Crochet
Beyond defying gender stereotypes, crocheting is a remarkably sustainable art form. Unlike many industrial textile production methods, crocheting requires minimal resources, equipment, and energy. The materials are typically natural fibers like cotton, wool, or even recycled materials like plastic bags. The fashion industry’s reliance on synthetic fibers like polyester contributes to 35% of microplastics released into the world’s oceans.
Crocheting is also an incredibly low-waste process since any leftover yarn can be easily repurposed or used for future projects. This aligns with circular fashion principles aiming to eliminate textile waste. Additionally, handmade crocheted items tend to be higher quality and longer-lasting than mass-produced fast fashion garments that are discarded after just 7-10 wears on average.
Traditional Textile Practices
This sustainable nature of crocheting is not unique – many traditional textile practices across cultures have long prioritized environmental harmony. Indigenous communities have mastered techniques like:
– Natural dye extraction from plants, minerals, insects – eliminating toxic synthetic dyes
– Handloom weaving using locally-sourced, biodegradable materials like cotton, silk, wool
– Zero-waste patterning that utilizes every inch of fabric, reducing waste
These methods minimize pollution, waste, resource depletion, and carbon emissions while celebrating cultural identity. The fashion industry’s current linear production model is the opposite – it generates 1.2 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually, more than international flights and maritime shipping combined.
Looking Forward
Just like the subway knitting image, sustainability and culture continually push us to examine practices through fresh lenses to drive meaningful change. This change impacts the planet through areas like climate, biodiversity, and ocean health, and people through representation, social justice, and ethical labor.
As the fashion industry reckons with its immense environmental footprint of 10% of global greenhouse gas emissions and nearly 20% contribution to plastic pollution in the oceans, there is much to learn from the inherent sustainability of cultural textile traditions. By preserving this knowledge and amplifying diverse voices, we can reshape fashion as a more equitable, ethical, resource-efficient, and eco-friendly industry in harmony with cultural values and planetary boundaries.
