Crochet for the Community

Abstract

Crochet for the Community, a workshop, will explore the social issue of homelessness through the medium of crochet. Students will learn to crochet using a variety of stitches, as well as the elements of art of color and texture, in order to create projects such as hats, gloves, blankets, and scarfs that will be donated to those in need after Arts Fest. The issue of homelessness is complex, with research pointing to a lack of a main cause, but identifying stigmatization and lack of affordable housing as large factors. Developing a solution at a systemic level may seem out of reach, but our workshop will give a background to these systemic difficulties, as well as ways to stay socially aware and make an impact on lives locally instead. Some prevalent health issues found in studies that the homeless face are cold-related, such as hypothermia and frostbite, in which warm crochet items can prevent. Crochet is an integration of visual and functional uses, with a history in activism due to its domestic roots, making it the perfect medium to make a impact on these health issues and foster engagement in the crisis as a whole.