Fiber Arts Are Sexy–And Always Have Been! An Exploration of Fiber Arts as a Gateway to Feminine Freedom

Written by: Kaitlyn Patton and Cole Vest

Styled by: Mia Klauberg, Kaitlyn Patton, and Cole Vest

Modeled by: Mia Klauberg, Kaitlyn Patton, and Cole Vest

Photographed by: Mavis Parks

In recent years, Gen Z has been enthusiastically adopting the hobbies of those who came before us. Through platforms like TikTok and Pinterest, patterns for crocheted bikinis, sheer knitted sweaters, and sewn mini skirts have spread like wildfire, inspiring fashionistas to whip up their own outfits for the club, the beach, or wherever the wind takes them.

While those of us coming of age alongside the internet are inclined to believe that this modern-day, more suggestive, and trendy use of fiber arts is a recent development, this twist traces its roots to way back before the web. 

While knitting has been around for thousands of years and crochet as we know it is said to have been established in the late 18th century, its modernization came with our grandmothers. Take for example this crochet bikini pattern from the 1970s or this pattern for a sheer sweater and matching bathing suit from 1966. 

The translucent qualities of crochet with its loops and knots exposing the wearer underneath in pinhole, or often larger-sized glimpses, can be deemed a bit “risqué”. Comparable to fishnets or sheer accessories such as tights or lingerie, wearable crochet items can inspire playful sensuality. In pop-culture, this can be seen in uses such as Felicity Shagwell’s crochet dress in “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me” (1999). Crochet’s playful, sexy, sensuality has further been utilized in drag performances such as this unraveling reveal done by New York City’s Kari Kerning. These fun, fresh, feminine takes on crochet inspire creatives and hobbyists alike.

Creativity is a means not only for self-expression, but also to bring to life the items we cannot find ready-made in a store. Those who have created their own clothing throughout past centuries know this, but it was revolutionized with the introduction of widespread patterns in magazines. Throughout the 20th century, magazines like Vogue began publishing these patterns, and they are still published today.

Whether you’re a seasoned fiber arts master or a hobbyist looking to add some flair to your wardrobe, knit, crocheted, and hand-woven pieces are the perfect place to start. Creating a clothing piece for oneself adds an ulta-personal touch and fills one with a sense of accomplishment, and nothing is sexier than that.