Abs, yarn, & attitude: Meet Caleb Channing, the man making crochet seriously sexy
The 35-year-old models his own skimpy crochet creations.
Mark
A handicraft lover is building a large following online with his crochet skills. It probably helps that he’s a self-described ‘mostly gay’ hunk who’s not shy about modeling his own designs.
Caleb Channing, 35, is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. A user-experience designer by occupation, in his spare time, he sells his crochet products and patterns.
“Crocheting started as a pandemic hobby,” he tells Queerty. “My background is all creative. I have several design degrees and yearned for a creative outlet that was away from a computer screen.”
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Crochet was not a wholly new handicraft for him.
“My mother, who crocheted while in and out of care homes, inspired me,” he writes on his website. “Though I only truly embraced it after her passing. Later, following the end of a relationship, I returned to it more intentionally.”
“I started crocheting by making coasters and small amigurumi plushies [Japanese stuffed toys],” Channing continues. “I never was consistent with it and only picked up the hook when I was really bored and needed to make something.”
A productive outlet
He says he latched on to crochet as a way to heal.
“I was going through a really hard time in my life and I needed something that grounded me and let me be alone with myself without feeling sad. What is the use of all this pain, sadness, and anger if there’s no productive outlet?”
Channing makes a wide variety of products. He only started selling designs and patterns last summer. As his products are handmade, you may have to wait some time for new items to appear on sale.
Among his more attention-grabbing designs? Crocheted underwear. Which raises an obvious question: Are the thongs washable or are they to be modeled as pieces of art?
“Every piece is a work of art that can be worn and washed,” he says. “The beauty of crochet is that each piece is unique to how I am feeling that day. Am I stressed, am I tired, am I energetic and joyful? It shows in the finished piece. And this is why it cannot be replicated by machines.”
“Put down the phone, get off the grids”
Does he have dreams for his brand?
“My biggest ambition is to continue to share and inspire others to create. Put down the phone, get off the grids, and apps. The world is a dark place right now, and it feels like we have no control over anything that is happening, but when you’re creating something with your own hands, you’re the master of what you’re creating.”
Channing believes passionately in the well-being benefits of creating something with one’s own hands.
“When I’m on a screen, I don’t feel as connected to what I’m making. It doesn’t have that tactile sensation for me. I need an outlet where I’m actually using my hands. I feel at one with what I’m working with. Whether that’s playing an instrument, cooking, or doing anything manual. You are at one with that thing because you’re connected to it.
Do you fancy some aubergine? ???????? pic.twitter.com/2CS809W15R— Caleb_Channing (@Caleb_Channing9) March 5, 2026
Online reaction
Unsurprisingly, his photos provoke quite a reaction online. There’s plenty of praise and thirsty remarks. Recently, he’s had some comments, mainly from women, telling him to shave. I wondered if he’d also had any guys femme-shaming him for his love of crochet.
“Hahaha, it always makes me laugh when I get a negative reaction online,” he replies. “In terms of femme-shaming, the closest I get is the briefs being called a woman’s panty. It’s all envy. If you could wear it, look good, and feel confident, you would.”
Is this a gentler side of masculinity? pic.twitter.com/aF5Uz4Qehk— Caleb_Channing (@Caleb_Channing9) December 12, 2025
He says it’s the people who feel good wearing his designs that give him the biggest boost.
“What I enjoy the most are the messages that I get from guys, saying how they feel sexy or how I’ve inspired them to crochet and to create.”
He wants his work to have “that sexy husband, sexy boyfriend, sort of vibe … wholesome sexiness” that’s “not in your face”.
Designs that are more geared toward snuggling on a rug in front of a roaring fire rather than in a sling in a dungeon?
“Exactly!”
Follow Caleb Channing on Instagram, X and Threads.
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