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Below is an edited transcript from Episode 1: Crime and Crochet – The Dark Side of Fiber Arts, originally presented on the Skein and Tell podcast.

GEA: Hey there, yarn bestie. It's Gea here. Welcome to Skein and Tell, the podcast that unravels it all. Today we're exploring a topic that is as intriguing as it is unexpected: crime and crochet. It might sound like an odd pairing at first, but there's a darker side to the world of fiber arts that we don't always hear about, the role of crocheting and knitting in criminal activity, the use of encoded stitches, and even the illicit side of the crafting community itself.

So let's unravel the threads of this unique topic and take a look at how crochet has been entwined with crime throughout history and even in modern times.

Secret Codes and Stitches

GEA: Before we get into modern-day yarn mischief, let’s take a journey back in time. Crochet and knitting were sometimes used for far more than just creating cozy garments. These crafts have long been linked to coded messages, secret societies, and even criminal activities.

During wartime, knitting and crochet were often employed for more than just creating clothing. In both World Wars, women in occupied territories were encouraged to knit socks, scarves, and other essentials for soldiers. But for some, these seemingly innocent activities were also a cover for passing along secret messages.

Knitted fabrics were sometimes used to hide coded messages, readable only by those in the know. Things like loop patterns or the placement of stitches served as subtle markers. A tiny sweater could hide an instruction, a date, or even a map.

Some historians believe crochet was similarly used in the 17th and 18th centuries by European underground movements to pass encrypted messages, hidden in plain sight.

Fast forward to the 19th century: the yarn arts became intertwined with clandestine groups, like the Freemasons. A secret society that used intricate handcrafts as forms of signaling among members. Projects became coded symbols of loyalty, with hidden meanings embedded in the patterns. Women married to Freemasons may have used crochet to pass on information about meetings, locations, or secret symbols, all in what looked like sweet little motifs.

Special Segment: Archeology of Yarn with Yarndiana Jones

Tune in at 04:03.

Segment intro: We interrupt this episode for a special segment that explores the history of yarn, the archeology of yarn, brought to you by a special correspondent yarn, Yarndiana Jones.

GEA: That is the last time I'm ever doing that accent. But let’s talk about the history of cotton!

Cotton might seem boring, but this fluffy plant has caused drama, revolutions, and shaped civilizations for thousands of years. It's ancient, baby.

Picture this: It's 5,000 BC. Somewhere in the Indus Valley, someone looks at a cotton plant and thinks: What if I turn this into a toga? Boom, humanity’s relationship with cotton begins.

Meanwhile, cotton also pops up in Peru. Humans on opposite sides of the globe discovering it at the same time, long before plumbing or Wi-Fi.

In the Middle Ages, Arab traders sold cotton in European markets. People were obsessed. Wool was scratchy, linen was stiff, but cotton? Like wearing a cloud.

Plot twist: Europeans had never seen a cotton plant. They believed cotton grew on tiny sheep attached to plants, yes, seriously. The legendary "vegetable lamb of Tartary" was believed to be a sheep that grew from the ground. Just... Google it.

Eventually, with the invention of the cotton gin in 1793, cotton production exploded. But this also fueled one of history’s darkest chapters, the transatlantic slave trade. Cotton plantations depended on enslaved labor, a brutal truth we must acknowledge.

After abolition and the rise of industrialization, cotton powered the textile industry. Today we have organic, recycled, and even lab-grown cotton, some that glows in the dark (!). Cotton is everywhere, from your t-shirt to your stash of yarn.

So next time you pick up a soft cotton skein, remember: it's part of a story that spans 7,000 years.

Modern Mischief in the Fiber World

Tune in at 10:56.

GEA: Back to the modern world, where things are still surprisingly shady.

A lot of us know a designer whose patterns have been stolen or plagiarized. It's unfortunately common. A pattern might be downloaded for free, then slightly altered and sold without permission. Even Hobbii’s own free patterns have turned up for sale on online marketplaces.

Intellectual property theft is a major issue in the fiber arts community. It’s a fine line between being inspired and copying someone else’s work.

Contraband in Crochet

Tune in at 13:30.

GEA: Let’s talk about crochet and crime, for real.

There have been reports of prisoners using yarn crafts to smuggle contraband. Inmates have crocheted blankets, hats, and more: concealing weapons, drugs, or coded messages.

Even we at Hobbii once got an email from an inmate trying to order crochet hooks and needles. We debated it for a while because crafting can be healing but it also posed concerns.

Prison guards have discovered hidden items inside yarn goods. A stark reminder that even the coziest of crafts can be twisted.

Special Segment: What’s Trending

Tune in at 15:58.

Segment intro: We interrupt today's episode once again to bring you what's trending. Buckle up bestie, because we're diving into the hottest, craziest, and sometimes strangest trends sweeping the yarn world right now. So here's what's trending now.

GEA: Now forget perfect stitches. Forget meticulously planned projects. Say hello to goblincore. This style is pure chaotic creativity, think oversized sweaters with dropped stitches, earthy tones, and themes like frogs, mushrooms, and spooky forests. I actually find them quite charming.

It’s all about embracing imperfection. Right? So you wanna start a project at midnight? Sure. Go ahead. Don't even turn on the light. Just go at it. Did you mean to drop that stitch? Probably did. Who knows? You never know. The point is: goblin core embraces the mess. It let’s your inner fiber goblin thrive!

It’s all about crafting like no one’s watching, including yourself.

The Dark Web of Fiber Arts

Tune in at 18:35.

GEA: Moving more into the digital age, we also have to address the dark side of the internet and how it’s impacting crochet and knitting.

On the dark web, stolen patterns and counterfeit supplies are sold anonymously. Designers’ full pattern collections have been bundled into ZIP files and sold for just a few dollars.

Not only is this illegal, it’s a massive blow to the integrity and creativity of the fiber community. And often, the products are linked to unethical labor and unsustainable practices.

So yeah, when it comes to crochet and crime, the connection might be closer than you think.

Crafting as a Force for Good

Tune in at 21:46.

GEA: But don’t worry, this isn’t the full picture.

For every shady deal or secret stitch, there are thousands of makers using yarn to build community, spread joy, and create beauty.

Thank you for joining me on this wild ride through the darker side of fiber arts. If you loved this episode, please leave a review, share it with your crafty friends, and subscribe for more yarny adventures.

Until next time, keep your stitches tight, but your secrets tighter!

Okay, love you bestie, bye!