Introduction

Crochet for the Community explores how simple crafts can bring people together towards a common purpose: specifically, how students can work together to craft warm items to donate to those in need. Crochet is a hobby rooted in creativity, self expression, and activism, and our workshop is a perfect representation of those ideals. Through projects like hats, gloves, scarves, and other warm items, students learned the art of expression through crochet while working towards donation for a good cause.

History & Distinction

In order to develop a foundation for how crochet can be used for social good, this workshop takes inspiration from sources such as “Quiet Activism and the New Amateur: The Power of Home and Hobby Crafts”. It points out that as a task largely done in a domestic setting by amateurs, crochet is an undervalued tool for developing power, independence, and driving social change (Hackney, 2013). We have also ensured students understand the power of the art-making process itself, by studying inspiring crochet artists in class. Crochet artist Katika pushes the boundaries of the medium by free-form crocheting flat pieces that resemble paintings (Carson, 2024). We pushed students to think outside of the box in this way by crocheting using texture, color, and space in unconventional ways. As a testament to the success of similar projects, Crochet for Cancer (Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science, 2019) was able to change lives by crocheting wigs and hats for patients. 

Methods

In class, we made a point to get to know students and create a warm, welcoming environment for students to be open with one another. Our workshop tackled challenging issues surrounding homelessness and poverty, like the stigmas, biases, and common struggles unhoused individuals face in their daily lives. Due to this fact, we felt it was important for all students to feel comfortable in the classroom. After students knew the main motivations and goals behind our workshop, we then transitioned functional lessons into the basic crochet stitches and how to begin creating their first crochet projects. Students were given explanations, videos, and demonstrations (many methods to account for learning style differences) of increasingly complex stitches or patterns. We incorporated a variety of activities, such as Kahoot quizzes, for engagement. Afterwards, students would practice the stitch or a project such as a coaster, granny square, or 7”x9” rectangle to be incorporated into a blanket. Most classes ended with a reflection on the challenges students faced.

Audience & Impact 

The audience is anyone looking to get involved in solving social issues, but is unsure how to start. Homelessness is complex, with many systemic causes. Our goal is to give students and the audience the means to make a manageable impact. If everyone can come together through art-making (with an added functionality), make a direct impact, and raise awareness, a positive effect can be made. Students grew in their creativity by conquering challenges in learning a complex, 3-D technique and expanding its limits. This project has taught us as leaders the beauty of building bonds in your community; we saw an influential, positive environment blossom thanks to the passion of our students. We worked through difficulties in organizing and conveying information to expand our artistic and scholarly communication skills.

References

Hackney, Fiona. “Quiet Activism and the New Amateur: The Power of Home and Hobby Crafts.” Design and culture 5.2 (2013): 169–193. Web.

Carson, Mary. “Katika: Painterly Crochet.” TextileArtist. TextileArtist, 12 Sept. 2024. Web.

“Crochet for Cancer.” Canadian journal of medical laboratory science 81.2 (2019): 22–22. Print.

Akhanemhe, Rebecca, Carl Petrokofsky, and Sharif A Ismail. “Health Impacts of Cold Exposure among People Experiencing Homelessness: A Narrative Systematic Review on Risks and Risk-Reduction Approaches.” Public health (London) 240 (2025): 80–87. Web.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the wonderful Arts Scholars staff of Harold, Heather, and Irene, as well as our teaching assistant Natalie, for supporting us throughout the creation and implementation of this Capstone workshop. We’d also like to thank our students for their incredible work this semester and their generosity in donating their work!