Crochet comes from the French word for hook, describing making fabric by interlocking loops of thread using a hooked needle.
History
Published crochet instructions first appeared in 1823 in a Dutch magazine. The patterns showed different styles of purses, some open mesh and others more closed. Early English mentions of crocheted items are in a 19th century memoir. Some think crochet came from tambour embroidery done with a small hook. Translations used "tambour" and "crochet" interchangeably.
There’s controversy over the origins of crochet. Some link it to Chinese embroidery passed via trade routes. However, there’s no proof of the technique before it gained popularity in 19th century Europe. A French woman wrote early crochet books.
Crochet Technique
To crochet, you first make a chain of loops then either work back and forth in rows or join the chain into rounds. New loops are made by pulling thread through the previous loops to create textures. Hooks can be wood, metal or plastic. Other tools include scissors, yarn needles, and pins.
The first known published crochet instructions explicitly using that term to describe the craft appeared in the Dutch magazine Penélopé in 1823, including a color plate showing five purse styles.