If you are an Instagram user, you may well have heard of Knotted Neon, a Canadian crochet artist whose amazing designs are making waves across the globe.

Crochet cool

Based in Toronto, Aynsley Grealis has amassed more than 270,000 followers on her Knotted Neon account thanks to her innovative, bright, and unusual crochet creations. From cocktail glasses and sardine tins to her infamous floral balaclavas, her creations have inspired others and led to even more young people taking up the craft.

No longer just the preserve of grannies, crochet has become cool again thanks to a raft of celebrity knitters. Actors and musicians, such as Taylor Swift, have also been seen wearing crocheted fashion items. Aynsley worked with Olympic diver and knitting enthusiast Tom Daley this summer on creating their own pattern for a bag in the shape of a croissant. The video showcasing the said bag on Daley’s Instagram account had a staggering eight million views, while their collaboration video, in which they pulled objects out of it, had more than one million views.

Aynsley now has her own book, Mad Hatter, featuring fanciful patterns for not only hats but also handbags and home decorations. While she began crocheting as a young girl as a hobby, she rediscovered a passion for it during lockdown, as did many others who wanted something mindful and comforting to do. According to the BBC demand for wool and needles increased by almost 90% at John Lewis in the summer of 2021.

Make your own

You don’t have to have been crocheting for long to be able to make something you can be proud of. Even beginners can start by making simple granny squares and playing around with colour and design. There are also lots of crochet blanket kits available from sellers such as Wool Couture, which are a good way to start.

While Aynsley sometimes spends days on her creations, a granny square can be knitted in just half an hour and joined with others to make a blanket, cardigan, or scarf. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy yourself.