• Cecelia Chambala started a crochet group in 2024 to bring creatives together and promote sustainable fashion for young black women.

• Their main event is a picnic with handmade outfits, traditional games and shared snacks to build community.

A 23-year-old crochet lover is building a creative community through a colourful mix of craft, fashion and fun.

Cecelia Chambala started Earth, Hand and Fibre in 2024 to bring crochet fans together and get more people hooked on the art.

“As time went by, the group went from just us being a group. It went to events being hosted as a means for us to push crochet out there and to introduce more people to join the crochet community and to promote sustainable fashion and creativity for Black young women,” said Chambala.

The group’s top event is the Crochet Picnic — a stylish get-together with games, snacks and handmade outfits.

Guests are asked to wear bright clothes that include at least one crocheted piece. They play games like the traditional Isigusha, the Hook and Yarn Relay, Crochet Charades, Crochet Trivia, Yarn Swapping and 30 Seconds.

No picnic is complete without snacks, so everyone brings something to share.

Chambala picked up her skill by watching YouTube tutorials. She then started her own brand, Crocheted by Ci, selling handmade hats, cardigans and more.

Most of the members also run their own crochet businesses, making everything from blankets and bags to swimwear, skirts and dresses.

“The items that are crocheted at the picnic are available for purchase,” she said.

Chambala said she’s changing how people see crochet.

“Back in the ’90s, crocheting was regarded as something that old people used to do to stay entertained. We hardly ever saw much innovation at that time in terms of crochet wearables, but the new generation is rewriting the entire script,” said Chambala.

She said they are working to get crochet fashion taken seriously, like any other design style.

There are no upcoming events just yet, but something is definitely in the works — possibly a beginner’s workshop, a Sip and Stitch, or another picnic.

Pictured above: Crochet fans show off their handmade outfits at a colourful picnic.

Image source: Supplied by Cecelia Chambala