Bailey Geyer: Crochet Phenomenon

More than just yarn, crocheting has Gen-Z wrapped in a thread. No longer seen as an elderly pastime, audiences are hooked on the unique items that are made by hand through hard work, creativity and care. 

Recently, TikTok and Instagram algorithms have been flooded with handmade crafts, some of which include crocheted clothing, stuffed animals, bags, hats and more. As certain trends and items from the past have made comebacks, crocheting has undoubtedly taken the world by storm. 

Current CSULB fashion student Bailey Geyer has been able to make crochet couture a reality, turning yarn into cozy, lively pieces for your wardrobe. She runs the shop BaiRetro, where she sells her handmade creations.

“I learned to crochet when I was eight and loved to make up designs,” said Geyer. 

For 18 years, growing up in rural Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was a peaceful, different life compared to the one here in California, according to Geyer. Surrounded by farmland, forests, and family, arts and crafts were a form of entertainment for her. 

At 12, Geyer sold hats that she crocheted at her aunt’s business party, where friends and colleagues attended. 

Fortunately, crocheting was a hobby passed down from one generation to another in her family, beginning with her great-grandmother. Once her great-grandmother’s eyesight began to deteriorate, Geyer’s grandma was taught to take over any unfinished pieces that required black yarn. 

Geyer recalled helping her grandmother finish baby blankets, an item she only knew how to make repeatedly for decades. Coming from a big, close-knit family played a factor in that.  

Bailey Geyer showcasing her cropped Kiwi Cardigan (Photo courtesy of @BaiRetro on Etsy).

“It was the same stitch and the same pattern, identical every single time,” Geyer said. “She had  no idea how to deviate from that.”

Although it wasn’t a skill she was born with, Geyer was inspired and asked her grandma to teach her how to properly crochet. The learning process wasn’t easy, as she was taught advanced techniques early on. With the help of YouTube as well, once she got the hang of it, it quickly became a beloved activity. 

After graduating high school in 2016, Geyer moved to Sacramento where she attended community college from 2017-2021. Although she always wanted to be an entrepreneur and sell crochet items for a living, she had a tough time choosing a major. 

“I have always loved fashion and was just afraid to make the leap and go for that,” said Geyer,  who recalled not wanting to commit to a major that had less job security. “Once I was in that spot where I really needed to pick something, I realized that  [fashion] was the only thing I’d be happy doing.” 

After looking into Long Beach State’s fashion program, it was an easy choice. 

Social media platforms such as TikTok have been thriving after a massive increase in users, including a rise in hobbies and small businesses. Crocheting has been one of those phenomenons that overshadowed fast fashion choices.

“It’s been a sign of people being more conscious about their purchasing,” Geyer said when discussing the problems of overconsumption. “New things come out so fast and when you wash  them, they fall apart because they’re super cheap.” 

Crocheting, however, is the complete opposite. The labor along with the design will make the products more valuable and less harmful to the environment. Aside from the pricing, specific item, and item size, it’s essentially going to last longer, especially when avoiding micro trends.

This hobby, Geyer says, has been a form of therapy because it has allowed her to express her  creativity freely and keeps her from being too caught up with technology.

“It’s kind of empowering to have the ability to think of something and then make it with your  own hands and not have to rely on anybody else,” said Geyer. 

Handmade cropped sweater with beach-like waves (Photo courtesy of @BaiRetro on Etsy).

While crocheting has always been in the back of her mind in terms of pursuing a career, fashion was another way for Geyer to better her craft. Because she writes crochet patterns for a living,  Geyer was able to intermix those two worlds together.  

“Jumping into fashion design is just a way for me to get better at my crochet designs,” Geyer said. 

Geyer worked at arts and crafts store Michael’s for five years and quit to start her crochet business. 

Her full-circle moment would come after her move to Long Beach, when Michael’s marketing team reached out to her via Instagram and offered her the opportunity to work on a campaign for the company. 

“That was the craziest, full circle moment for me because I worked for them for so many years doing every job in the store,” Geyer said. “To get approached by the company as an artist, who didn’t know that I worked there, and get hired to design stuff for them was so crazy and one of  my greatest achievements.”

Like most people, Geyer had her doubts and moments of overthinking. Part of helping her come out of her comfort zone was to be more confident in utilizing social media platforms to network and expand her business. Although content creation isn’t her favorite part of networking, it makes a difference. 

Handmade kiwi patterned bag, convenient for holding your drink and phone (Photo courtesy of @bairetro, Instagram).

Now, Geyer has over 32,000 followers on Instagram and has made over 8,400 sales on Etsy. 

“I am living that dream, somehow it is happening,” Geyer said. “Even if it doesn’t last forever, I  got to do it for a little while, and that’s amazing.” 

Geyer believes setting yourself apart by putting your own spin on a trend and making something original is more likely to make you stand out.  

Her business continues to thrive, as she also sells crochet stickers and tote bags.  

“To look back and think about my life in rural Pennsylvania and now in Long Beach crocheting  for a living and collaborating with people who like and use my designs - I’m really lucky that  I’m in this position.”