Crochet clothing is making a comeback! You can blame it on nostalgia or the cyclic nature of fashion! Either way, we are here for all the craze and nostalgic feelings crochet clothing evokes.
From retro-inspired pieces to elegant form fitting dresses to chunky sweaters, to cute bucket hats and adorable mini woven bags, crochet accessories and clothing are a must-have wardrobe essential.
We’ve profiled 14 innovative and trendy emerging and established African and black-owned crochet brands made by talented designers to keep on your radar and also in your closet as a staple this summer.
Everything started with a simple crochet top made as a gift for a friend; a spark led Elizabeth Adedeji to turn her passion into a business—crochet fashion brand 21 Wool Street. Her primary product lines include dresses and accessories, such as bags and earrings with inspiring designs.
Lizzy's crochet dresses could be easily fitted in any occasion you can think of this summer, from wild beach parties to romantic weddings. Whether you're looking for a mini skirt or long pants, you can find them here with unique styles. Moreover, Lizzy's accessories are as creative as her crochet garments. Her bags, in particular, are a milestone along the path she pursues to her innovative crochet designs. Like the latest Celeste Bag she presented. Compared to her previous collection, this bag demonstrates her one-step forward fashion concept on 21 Wool Street, blending a sense of futurism with its metallic sheen and modern aesthetic (Adedeji, 2024).
In 2023, Lizzy was invited as the only African designer to showcase her collection at Crochet Fashion Week in America. This opportunity event cheered her up and introduced her to customers worldwide.
Shop now on Adjoaa.
The latest Migrant/Expatriate? collection for SS 2024 demonstrates the perfect blend between the urban street and the sunshine beach with crochet craftsmanship, exploring the possibility of garments for different occasions and locations.
Available now on Adjoaa.
Just one glance at the pictures and you’ll be captivated by the elegance and quality of her creations. Qreenade is one of the Don’t Miss Outs for this summer. Coming soon to Adjoaa.
Gaea Lumi, traveling all the way from Nigeria to the world, brings Udokang’s unique and cutting-edge aesthetics to life. You won’t be disappointed to own a piece from Gaea Lumi, it’s elevating your entire look.
Stay tuned, it’s coming soon to Adjoaa.
On its' way to Adjoaa.
Unlike other crochet brands, Mairachamp adds a touch of luxury to its creations with intricate beadwork to have these luxurious but breezy vibes add to your summer luggage. Funded since the pandemic, Mairachamp promises the exceptional pieces that resonate with traditional African culture and contemporary aesthetics.
When the sunshine shimmering on your Maira Champ bags, you see the lights reflecting colorfully on the water, maybe paired with another Mairachamp pearl African accessory, it’s giving the best summer getaways.
Coming soon to Adjoaa.
Studio Imo is a crochet fashion label which initially was a fashion boutique founded by Edwin Okolo and Imobong Emah in2013. Led by Okolo, the brand finally settled on crochet as the design feature. The crochet technique which the brand presented was inherited from Okolo’s grandmother demonstrates the cultural heritage as well.
Recently, the brand has brought its stunning 2023 collection ‘Good Hunting’ to the Lagos Fashion Week bringing a refreshment to the label. The silhouettes of the designed dresses are giving a chic and sexy vibe with the loose but curving cut with suspenders and cut-out designs. Patterns, fringes and high slits, you could find everything you could imagine from Okolo’s works.
You could tell how dedicated she is to her work from those fabulous looks. No wonder they are personalized and made-to-order items. Order ahead, and stay tuned for those incredible fashion pieces for your summer beach getaways.
Jaybz Signature not only prioritised aesthetic appeal but also emphasised sustainability by accepting and taking old crochet pieces from customers to make new designs. With the commitment to creativity and sustainability, Jaybz Sinature has established itself as a go-to brand for fashion-forwards individuals looking for unique, handmade crochet pieces.
Pixelated and colourful flowers, squares and clouds will transport you to a wonderland in a second. Ashlee Elle's commitment to sustainability is evident in her ability to create a crinoline dress from upcycled
Shylercrochets' designs are not just finely made, they are also innovative. The crochet team consistently delivers fashion-forward designs with accurate silhouettes, showcasing their unquestionable craftsmanship.
“We really consider ourselves folklorists, telling sartorial stories through fashion. As part of our creative process, we explore archives, various field research and folk histories of our people from our past. Coincidentally, we normally start with stories and nuances that pertain to our family, and branch out to this connectedness in many histories.” (Keh, 2022)
With the Black ancestral narrative, House of Aama also presents crochet pieces this summer, with elegance and charm.
As the must-have item in the 2024 fashion lovers' wardrobe, Nicholas Daley's collection is no exception. His men's wear features standout crochet pieces that embody a classic British spirit with a subtle Jamaican influence. Daley has crafted a men's crochet wardrobe that perfectly balances tradition and modernity, making his designs timeless and culturally rich.
From retro-inspired pieces to elegant form fitting dresses to chunky sweaters, to cute bucket hats and adorable mini woven bags, crochet accessories and clothing are a must-have wardrobe essential.
We’ve profiled 14 innovative and trendy emerging and established African and black-owned crochet brands made by talented designers to keep on your radar and also in your closet as a staple this summer.
21 Wool Street
Everything started with a simple crochet top made as a gift for a friend; a spark led Elizabeth Adedeji to turn her passion into a business—crochet fashion brand 21 Wool Street. Her primary product lines include dresses and accessories, such as bags and earrings with inspiring designs.
Lizzy's crochet dresses could be easily fitted in any occasion you can think of this summer, from wild beach parties to romantic weddings. Whether you're looking for a mini skirt or long pants, you can find them here with unique styles. Moreover, Lizzy's accessories are as creative as her crochet garments. Her bags, in particular, are a milestone along the path she pursues to her innovative crochet designs. Like the latest Celeste Bag she presented. Compared to her previous collection, this bag demonstrates her one-step forward fashion concept on 21 Wool Street, blending a sense of futurism with its metallic sheen and modern aesthetic (Adedeji, 2024).
In 2023, Lizzy was invited as the only African designer to showcase her collection at Crochet Fashion Week in America. This opportunity event cheered her up and introduced her to customers worldwide.
Shop now on Adjoaa.
Adjoaa’s Selection: Pink Crochet Mini dress, Blue Long Sleeve Mini Dress, Venus Sleeveless Dress, Fari Bralette and Pants Set, It Girl V Neck Mesh Dress, Artemis Bag, Celeste Bag, Kaia Nude Cowrie Crocheted Slides, Diamond Crocheted Slides
Adjoaa’s Selection: Lisa Spiral Earring, Flora Handcrafted and Colourful Earrings, Labalaba Round Hoop for the Modern Wearer, Flora Earrings in Latest Design
Bloke
Founded by Faith Oluwajimi in 2015, Bloke is a genderless fashion label offering a Quirky and Arty design aesthetic. The brand is dedicated to sustainability and preserving traditional local artisanal techniques through its distinctive and artistic design style. Bloke collaborates closely with a small community of knitters, diverse textile artists, local artisans, and design groups in Nigeria to convey our design philosophy and brand values using locally sourced materials (Bloke).The latest Migrant/Expatriate? collection for SS 2024 demonstrates the perfect blend between the urban street and the sunshine beach with crochet craftsmanship, exploring the possibility of garments for different occasions and locations.
Available now on Adjoaa.
Adjoaa’s Selection: Green Marl Sleeveless Knit Top, Green Marl Knit Handcrafted Skirt, Marl Knit Bikini Top, Marl Knitted Bikini Bottom, Marl Knitted Scarf, Marl Zipper Jacket, Orange Marl Knit Trousers, Silver Marl Knit Jumper, Denim Jorts, Blue Marl Knit Jumper, Blue Marl Trousers, Marl Knit Shorts, Marl Assymetric Knit Jacket, Assymetrical Handcrafted Knitted Dress, Marl Knit Apron Backless Dress
Qreenade
If you aim to ace an understated sexy look, Queenade’s beach must-have is your choice to add to the wardrobe. Founded by Amuta, Qreenade promises eco-conscious and premium materials for these beautifully hand crafted pieces.Just one glance at the pictures and you’ll be captivated by the elegance and quality of her creations. Qreenade is one of the Don’t Miss Outs for this summer. Coming soon to Adjoaa.
Adjoaa’s Selection
Gaea Lumi
Gaea Lumi is a vibrant and young crochet brand stemmed from Ayakeme Udokang’s passion for creative craftsmanship. Launched in 2019, this brand is not just about fashion, it’s her commitment to sustainability and ethics, making every piece a statement of conscious style.Gaea Lumi, traveling all the way from Nigeria to the world, brings Udokang’s unique and cutting-edge aesthetics to life. You won’t be disappointed to own a piece from Gaea Lumi, it’s elevating your entire look.
Stay tuned, it’s coming soon to Adjoaa.
Adjoaa’s Selection
Only Yarns
Only Yarns is a handmade crochet brand from Ghana, renowned for its exquisite beachwear collection. The founder handmade every piece with love and patience, determined to deliver the piece to fit you the best.These colourful pieces are specializing in vivid, bold and sexy designs, Only Yarns is perfect for anyone who loves to shine on the seashore.On its' way to Adjoaa.
Adjoaa’s Selection
Mairachamp
Unlike other crochet brands, Mairachamp adds a touch of luxury to its creations with intricate beadwork to have these luxurious but breezy vibes add to your summer luggage. Funded since the pandemic, Mairachamp promises the exceptional pieces that resonate with traditional African culture and contemporary aesthetics.
When the sunshine shimmering on your Maira Champ bags, you see the lights reflecting colorfully on the water, maybe paired with another Mairachamp pearl African accessory, it’s giving the best summer getaways.
Coming soon to Adjoaa.
Adjoaa’s Selection
Studio Imo
Studio Imo is a crochet fashion label which initially was a fashion boutique founded by Edwin Okolo and Imobong Emah in2013. Led by Okolo, the brand finally settled on crochet as the design feature. The crochet technique which the brand presented was inherited from Okolo’s grandmother demonstrates the cultural heritage as well.
Recently, the brand has brought its stunning 2023 collection ‘Good Hunting’ to the Lagos Fashion Week bringing a refreshment to the label. The silhouettes of the designed dresses are giving a chic and sexy vibe with the loose but curving cut with suspenders and cut-out designs. Patterns, fringes and high slits, you could find everything you could imagine from Okolo’s works.
Adjoaa’s Selection
Atieno Yarns
One of the keywords of crochet fashion must be beachwear. Atieno Yarns is the brand that always decorates your summer with stylish beach crochet. Based in Kenya, Bettydora Atieno Odhiambo has been developing her crochet techniques since the age of 10. She has designed and handmade these pieces with craftsmanship and innovative ideas.You could tell how dedicated she is to her work from those fabulous looks. No wonder they are personalized and made-to-order items. Order ahead, and stay tuned for those incredible fashion pieces for your summer beach getaways.
Adjoaa’s Selection
Jaybz Signature
Want some more personalized creations? Jaybz Signature is all here for you. Each piece that Jaybz Signature makes for its customers is handcrafted with precision and care, reflecting the shine of the designer’s creativity through the art of crochet.Jaybz Signature not only prioritised aesthetic appeal but also emphasised sustainability by accepting and taking old crochet pieces from customers to make new designs. With the commitment to creativity and sustainability, Jaybz Sinature has established itself as a go-to brand for fashion-forwards individuals looking for unique, handmade crochet pieces.
Adjoaa’s Selection
Unlikely Fox
When Krysta Grasso launched her crochet business in early 2021, she pulled about $10,000 in just two days on her “Steven Universe” Yarn Club collection, which is based on the Cartoon Network animated series. This success allowed her to think about the possibility to crochet as a full time job, and she did it! Her creations cut the eyes of celebrities like Kendrick Lamar, Malaya and Amindi. Grasso started to sell her pieces at the Black Market Flea as well. She says,“I think the Black Market Flea was my target audience. Those are my peers, and I think it was much easier to communicate what I was doing to people who looked like me, rather than being a small group of people of color and Black people in such a huge white space. (Grasso)”
The Dream Crochet
The Dream Crochet is where you can discover the most unique and intriguing crochet pieces. Ever since Ashelee Elle started her crochet business, her designs have evolved into a highly personalized signature, each piece a unique form of self-expression.Pixelated and colourful flowers, squares and clouds will transport you to a wonderland in a second. Ashlee Elle's commitment to sustainability is evident in her ability to create a crinoline dress from upcycled
(The Dream Crochet/ Thedreamcrochet)
Shylercrochets
Sheila started her crochet fashion brand, Shylercrochets, right after her university life in 2017. She works with her local artisan team in Uganda to produce these fine-made crochet fashion pieces. Shylecrochets has made a firm commitment to its customers, promising ethically handmade products and ensuring ethical production practices.Shylercrochets' designs are not just finely made, they are also innovative. The crochet team consistently delivers fashion-forward designs with accurate silhouettes, showcasing their unquestionable craftsmanship.
(Dress Lineup/ SHYLERCROCHETS)
House of Aama
Based in Los Angeles, House of Aama is a fashion brand founded by Rebecca Henry, a practising lawyer, and her daughter Akua Shabaka, a graduate of Parsons School of Design. When the brand was named a finalist in 2021 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, they remarked,“We really consider ourselves folklorists, telling sartorial stories through fashion. As part of our creative process, we explore archives, various field research and folk histories of our people from our past. Coincidentally, we normally start with stories and nuances that pertain to our family, and branch out to this connectedness in many histories.” (Keh, 2022)
With the Black ancestral narrative, House of Aama also presents crochet pieces this summer, with elegance and charm.
(House of Aama Fall 2023/House of Aama LinkdIn)
Nicholas Daley
With community, craftsmanship, and culture at its core, Nicholas Daley launched his fashion label after graduating from Central Saint Martins in 2013. Daley has consistently celebrated his Jamaican-Scottish heritage, using it as a cultural foundation to create a contemporary men's wardrobe through his unique perspective.As the must-have item in the 2024 fashion lovers' wardrobe, Nicholas Daley's collection is no exception. His men's wear features standout crochet pieces that embody a classic British spirit with a subtle Jamaican influence. Daley has crafted a men's crochet wardrobe that perfectly balances tradition and modernity, making his designs timeless and culturally rich.
(Nicholas Daley presents Afro-Caribbean Culture/ Nicholas Daley)
(The Spiral Bucket Hat/Nicholas Daley)
London, July 28 2024
Author: Yurui Cai, is the social media, content, and editorial intern at Adjoaa, specialising in fashion forecasting and insights. She authored this blog and coordinated the fashion styling and merchandising features.
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