If you’ve scrolled through the latest fashions on Instagram and TikTok lately you’ve noticed nostalgia has taken over. Styles from the 1970s through the late ’90s are hot, and crocheting vintage-inspired designs is taking off in a big way.
Designer, model, and photographer Ashlee Elle has built up a passionate following through her Dream Crochet shop and Instagram, where she shares her colorful, one-of-a-kind throwback outfits.
In her debut book Retro Crochet: Vibrant Vintage-Inspired Looks from the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s [9781681987989; $22.95; Rocky Nook; August 2022], Ashlee Elle teaches you how to create your own fun pieces, including neon off-the-shoulder tops and flirty patterned skirts.
Bringing original and timeless crochet designs forward with a fashionable modern twist, this comprehensive guide will show you how to create handmade accessories and clothing that’ll make you stand out in the crowd.
“Crocheting started as a fun activity I did with my family,” Elle says. “I’d gather around with my aunts on Fridays for craft night. We’d eat, talk, and laugh, and I learned the joys that came from a hook, yarn, and my own imagination. I fell in love with the endless possibilities and hoped that I’d get to a point where I could bring all the creations that dwelled in my mind to life. This craft has grown beyond my wildest imaginations, and now I get to present The Dream Crochet’s Retro Crochet. This book will show how the past can be reimagined and brought into the modern era with wearable and stylish looks. It will be your guide to create handmade accessories and clothing influenced by generations of iconic staples we know and love with a fresh twist. My greatest dream is that these designs will spark your own dream creations.” $22.95; 8×10; 112 pages
About the Author
Ashlee Elle is a crochet designer and creator, model, and photographer. Her work has been featured in numerous publications, including Simply Crochet Magazine, WeCrochet, and CrochetNow. She acquired a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and utilized her artistic education to create a small handmade business online. Her creative work strives to push the boundaries within the fiber art world by introducing whimsical photos to feature the designs as well as celebrating experimental one-of-kind creations. Her unique and original crochet patterns that can be found in her Etsy Shoppe: The Dream Crochet Shoppe. Connect with Ashlee Elle on Instagram (@
Speak Your Mind