We love upcycling! There is so much work and love that goes into creating a crochet piece that it’s hard to imagine its life coming to an end. Luckily, upcycling lets the life of a crocheted piece go on and on!
As styles change, even the most beloved hand-crocheted pieces can lose their luster. However, there’s no reason to let those items collect in the attic or the back of the closet. Everything from blankets to doilies can be repurposed and given a new life.
Check out some of these items and we think you’ll be inspired to do a little upcycling of your own!
13 Examples of Upcycled Crochet
In this collection, we've gathered upcycled creations that have turned afghans, doilies, tablecloths, and more into everything from wedding dresses to bags. Take a look and find some inspiration to create and re-create!
This crewneck has tons of retro style! The oversized crewneck sweatshirt has come right back into fashion, and the vintage, upcycled crochet patches add unique, throwback charm. This is a great one-of-a-kind piece to add to any retro-style closet.
This cardigan was pieced together from vintage, hand-crocheted doilies. Doilies are a lacy, intricate crochet piece and they make this sweater so light, airy, and delicate. It's perfect for spring and summer and for wearing over a tank top or a light shirt to add flair to your outfit without weighing it down.
This one-of-a-kind dress is made from a vintage slip with a vintage doily trim. It's light and unique, perfect for summer wear. This dress is a great option for those with cottagecore or bohemian tastes and is sure to be unlike anything else in your closet.
This overall dress is an adorable combination of different upcycled elements including a denim coverall top, a butterfly-patterned skirt, and lace crocheted doilies for embellishment. It's a perfect country-chic summer dress and would suit those with boho, hippie, or cottagecore fashion styles as well.
This beautiful, handmade wedding dress is made from white vintage doilies, hand-stitched to a lined white dress. The intricate, lacy quality of the doilies makes this dress so detailed and eye-catching. It's an ideal dress for a boho, country-chic, or beach wedding, but it would look equally beautiful in a traditional wedding chapel, too. One thing is for sure, this wedding dress is absolutely one of a kind!
This one-of-a-kind top is made from vintage crocheted doilies. The lacy, open stitches of the doilies give this top a feminine, boho look that's great for summer. It would look fabulous over a tank top or bralette and could even be worn as a bathing suit cover up
This flowy tunic top has been embellished with a vintage crochet doily and a quilted patch that depicts a bird scene. It's an ideal piece for nature lovers or anyone who appreciates hippie, boho, or handmade fashion. Thanks to the long sleeves and the light, flowy silhouette of this top, it's a year-round addition to your wardrobe.
This coat for a woman or girl is crafted from an upcycled crochet afghan. The colors are perfect for fall, and the hood and button closures will help you stay warm when the air turns chilly. This jacket fits a women's size XS or a girl's size M-L.
This green halter top has been crafted from an upcycled vintage granny square afghan, and the vintage afghan's colors and design bring a totally cool and retro vibe to the finished piece. This top is ideal for parties, music festivals, or going out and is sure to be one-of-a-kind wherever you wear it.
This bag is a creative way to upcycle using crochet. It has been crocheted using plarn, which is yarn made from recycled plastic bags. The creator did an amazing job turning the plastic shopping bags into a pretty and useful tote instead of letting them head to a landfill, and the resulting tote makes a great reusable shopping bag.
These chevron flare pants are made from a vintage afghan. The chevron pattern is a classic retro afghan design, but these pants have a throwback-chic style that's much cooler than the blanket on the back of your grandma's couch. They're the perfect eye-catching statement piece for any guy with a retro, unique style.
This jacket is perfect for anyone who loves eco-friendly fashion and enjoys feminine, lacy pieces. The jacket includes embellishments from vintage lace and crochet pieces, and the whole thing has been dyed using tea for a natural, light beige color. It's beautiful and delicate and would suit anyone with a boho, rustic, or woodland fashion aesthetic.
This collared babydoll-style dress is made from a vintage crochet tablecloth. With a slip underneath, this is a perfect spring or summer dress for parties or even a wedding. It fits a US size 6.
Hi- Beautiful post! Do you know the source for the purple shawl/or drapey cardigan with the frilly crochet embellishment. Its the one that has a purple garment with little black images in the fabric.- towards the latter part of the post. I LOVE it. Thanks, Jen
Thanks. All of the items have links above or below them (in the description of the piece) along with the maker’s name. I believe the one you’re talking about is NineMusesofCrete
Thanks. I saw that today. Missed it yesterday.