Crochet (; ) is a process of creating fabric by interlocking loops of
yarn,
thread, or strands of other materials using a
crochet hook. The name is derived from the French term "crochet", meaning
small hook. These are made of materials such as metal, wood, or plastic and are manufactured commercially and produced in artisan workshops. The salient difference between crochet and
knitting, beyond the implements used for their production, is that each stitch in crochet is completed before proceeding with the next one, while knitting keeps a large number of stitches open at a time. (Variant forms such as
Tunisian crochet and
broomstick lace keep multiple crochet stitches open at a time.)