Once thought a dying art, crocheting has begun to gain more traction over the last few years. With a reignited passion for crocheting, students share their crocheting journeys.
Claire Carpenter, junior marketing and communication double-major, began crocheting during quarantine in 2020. Carpenter spends about 1-3 hours a day crocheting when she has the free time.
“I self-identify as an artist. I do a lot of different work. I paint and draw, which is really freeform in its creativity,” Carpenter said. “What I like about crochet is there’s a template and guideline to follow. It’s kind of mindless not to focus on something but still creating.”
Carpenter expressed her enjoyment of exploring multiple mediums of art. However, her favorite aspect of crocheting is creating something she can give to those that are important to her.
“I made a bag for my friend for her birthday,” Carpenter said. “That’s probably my favorite, giving my friend something I made for her was pretty cool.”
Ailee Netardus, sophomore art history major, took up the hobby of crocheting this past December. Netardus started out of boredom, but also saw crocheting as an opportunity to make gifts for her friends.
“I like that it feels like I can spend three hours just crocheting and watching a show but I feel like I’m being productive even though I’m not really getting anything done,” Netardus said. “But I’m doing something with my hands, so at the end I have a completed thing, and it’s okay, that wasn’t a waste of time, I was just doing something.”
Ever Whitlock, senior history and ancient Mediterranean studies double-major, began crocheting not long ago. Whitlock started to crochet last August after they stumbled upon some extra supplies their aunt had lying around. Using YouTube as a mentor, Whitlock was able to teach themself, and has since developed a passion for crochet. For Whitlock, crocheting is a time of relaxation that doesn’t require much brain power. Similarly to Carpenter, Whitlock enjoys creating items they can then give to those they cherish.
“I think what I like most about it is it’s kind of repetitive action. Because then I’m able to just sit and just have this repetitive action be done over and over. And it doesn’t take too much brain power in complete honesty. And then I’m also able to sit and listen to an audiobook or something while I’m doing it, which is really nice,” Whitlock said. “I also just love doing it because I like to make things for my friends and family and stuff. And so just being able to make something for them and give it to them.”