crochet

Where does the word "crochet" come from? It comes from Old Norse krok, passing through French before entering English (1840s).

Crochet’s story begins in Old Norse: krok meant “hook.” A Norse word, the root of 'crook'. By 1800s, the word had taken hold in French as crochet. A diminutive of 'croc', hook. It reached English by 1840s as crochet. Crochet spread as a Victorian craft. Today, crochet means needlework using a hooked needle.

1. Stage 1 · Old Norse · medieval krok "hook", a Norse word, the root of 'crook'.
2. Stage 2 · French · 1800s crochet "small hook", a diminutive of 'croc', hook.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1840s crochet "hooked needlework", crochet spread as a Victorian craft.