How to Print Crochet Designs on Fabric: Embracing the Latest Trends

The craft of crochet has been around for centuries, but its popularity within mainstream fashion waxes and wanes.  Although it is often used in luxury brands like Prada, Gucci, and others, there are noticeable trends for when crochet is in abundance.

With the COVID-19 pandemic causing lockdowns in 2020 around the world, many people newly discovered or relearned their love for crochet.  Since then, we’ve seen a surge of crochet designs hit mainstream trends and retailers. 

Not only has the crochet trend brought on new business for independent crochet artists and crafters, but it has opened up a new world of crochet designs on fabric. 

This mashup of fabric with crochet stitches is a fun way to create mixed medium designs, as well as learn new sewing techniques to replicate an actual crocheted piece.  

Whether you’re a sewer, crocheter, or both, we hope these fun fabric designs give you inspiration for your next project! 

I just learned about Spoonflower thanks to Interweave Crochet, which created a crochet motif fabric through Spoonflower. Basically, this is kind of a CafePress or Zazzle but for fabric.

You create your own your own design and upload it, choose the type of fabric you want it to be printed on, and place your order. You can also make your designs available for sale through the site or purchase fabrics from other fellow creators.

Type “crochet” into their search tool and you’ll find pages and pages of designs (although not all are truly crochet-related, many are inspired by yarn-y love). Here are some of my favorites:

Madam0wl says this fabric is “Inspired by crochet & embroidery work inherited from my Great Grandma”

Doily Sunburst by Nalo_Hopkinson

It’s tough to tell from far away, but up close, the flowers on this fabric by Cottagecrafts look like crochet flowers. 

Delft Doily says this: “I’m fascinated by hand-crocheted doilies made from very fine white cotton yarn. I played with two of them, and got this lacy pattern that looks like the result of putting a doily into a kaleidoscope.”

I adore this Yarn Goodness pattern by LovelyYarns, which comes in warm colors as well as a cooler-colors alternative.

Lace, Grapes, and Wine. This is an original painting by Helen Klebesadel that has been turned into fabric. Great for a doily lover.

Granny Square Fabric

Fabric designed to look like crochet granny squares seems to have become popular in the last few years. Here are a few examples:

Julia Monroe has two granny square fabric patterns that she sells through Spoonflower. I like this one with the blue hue to it.

The granny squares are larger on this fabric by Spoonflower’s DolphinAndCondor

Curly Pops shared this terrific retro-inspired granny square fabric

Thornberry put some granny square fabric to work when making this great shirt!

Peter Alexander sells PJs and some of them are printed with a granny square motif. I first learned about this via Sarah London.

Other Crochet Motif Fabric

Etsy’s Lisahestore sells this fabric that is designed with crochet motifs and polka dots.

How About Orange has the how-to to DIY some doily-printed fabric

The Crafty Minx shares this doily print fabric from Dandi which also comes in a bold red print

This traditional doily print on cotton comes from Michael Miller

If you have a fabric stash that rivals your yarn collection you might want to check out my roundup of projects that combine fabric and crochet.

Hannah
Hannah Ege

A life long crocheter and knitter, Hannah is a creative person who enjoys designing their own patterns while having deep appreciation and love for timeless designs. Hannah's first official job was in a yarn store as a teenager and even now they regularly knit and crochet for friends and commissioned pieces. When not busy with fiber, Hannah enjoys all things coffee, reading, hiking and spending time with their kid.

4 thoughts on “How to Print Crochet Designs on Fabric: Embracing the Latest Trends”

  1. Wow-I had no idea there were so many crochet-themed fabrics out there! I know how to sew but I really truly hate using a sewing machine-one hook or needle is the limit of my patience. But I have to admit- these fabrics do give me a lot of ideas!

Leave a Comment