Some fibers may be loosely tapestry crocheted, then felted in a washing machine – resulting in a dense fabric patterned on both sides.
Both women and men there tapestry crochet bags, hats, and hacky sacks for tourists.
The shape, color, and design can denote social position or ethnic affiliation or may simply be a fashion statement.
In order to make the fabric stiffer, extra fibers are sometimes carried along with the yarn or the hat may be starched.
Tapestry crocheted yarmulke (also called kippah) are worn by Jewish men.
In
Finland
, yarns are placed to the front and back of the same finger to quickly change colors and the hook is inserted into the back loop.
Detail of a bag from
Turkey
showing half-double crochet stitches done in the back loop. The front loops form a horizontal line across the fabric. The extra color was only carried in the rows where it was needed.
Amulet
bags before (on left) and after felting in a washing machine
Since the beads fall to the back of the stitches, tapestry crocheted fabric can have beads on one side and colorful motifs on the other. A hook with a handle makes it easier to crochet tight stitches.
