Crochet club is a way for people to get together and make something new. photo by Harper Skurky-Thomas
TJ’s newly founded Crochet Club will meet every Friday during 4th period lunch.
New to TJ this year, Crochet Club is a perfect space for those seeking to learn new artistic skills. Crochet is an art and craft similar to knitting where people weave loops using a small hook. This art can be used to make clothes, stuffed animals, decorations, and even functional items like potholders. Crochet club aims to teach new people the craft and let others improve their skills in a supportive environment.
As of right now, the club only meets during fourth period freshman lunch, but they are hoping to expand in the future. “I started the crochet club so that I could have a community of people that shared interests with me,” explained club founder and freshman Clara Siemens. The club meets every Friday in choir teacher and sponsor Tambyr Reed’s room. Next year, the group aims to continue their fourth period meetings in addition to adding a fifth period club for the rest of the school.
Crochet club is currently focused on getting each member to an equal skill level so they can start to attempt bigger projects. “For the meetings, they circle the chairs around, they talk, they move around the circle, kind of like a quilting bee, and they help each other when somebody gets stuck,” said Reed. “Regardless of people’s individual skill level, anyone is welcome in the club as long as they are willing to learn.” Crochet club members are hoping to do larger collaborative projects in the future such as a TJ-themed tapestry or a winter hat drive so they can take their love of crocheting and make something tangible.
The club provides yarn and all the necessary tools, but students are welcome to bring their own. “We also had a really big contribution of yarn, so they went through and they organized it and they kind of earmarked what they wanted to do with this color and what they should do with that color,” explained Reed. Each member of the club is able to create whatever they want, meaning they can improve their skills while making fun items.
Students do not have to know anything about crochet to be able to join. “If you know any kind of craft, you can join. All levels of crochet are welcome. You don’t have to be good at crochet. You don’t even have to know what it is,” said freshman member Hazel Baur. The club provides a community for crocheters so they can learn more about the craft, get ideas for projects, and discover new passions. Crochet club is perfect for anyone who wants to learn a new craft or hobby.
