Yard, chain stitches, slip knots, and hooks are the focus of Thursday’s crotchet event in the library during advisory. 

“I [started the advisory craft club because] I wanted to do something new for library programming this year,” librarian Chelsea Hamilton said. “Several times, I’ve embroidered at the circulation desk and students and teachers have shown interest. I decided I wanted to offer Redhawks the opportunity to learn new crafts, or if they’re knowledgeable about a craft, to teach others! ” 

That’s what junior Anagha Konuru is doing Thursday when she hosts the crochet event. 

“I love crocheting; it’s very relaxing,” Konuru said. “It’s something about, like the repetitive motions. It looks intimidating, but it’s actually so [easy to pick up] and it’s something that I like to do while watching movies or youtube and stuff.” 

Thursday’s event is an opportunity for Konuru to give people who’ve had crocheting on their bucket list for a long time that final push. 

“I hear all the time ‘Oh my god, you crochet? I wanna crochet, but I don’t know where to start,’ and that’s why I wanted to do this, because this is the perfect place to start,” Konuru said. “And all those people who have always wanted to learn crochet but never really were able to get into it have an opportunity to get into it. I know there’s so many things where I’m like “Oh my god, I wish I could learn that,’ but it’ll never happen unless you start somewhere.” 

Konuru values crochet because of the peaceful reprieve it provides when life gets stressful. 

“I think it’s important for people to have hobbies and to do something that doesn’t relate to either their job or their school,” Konuru said. “Like, if you’re doing school work and studying all the time you’ll feel miserable. You’ll feel bored and just like tired. But, if you’re doing something that you like here and there, you’ll feel better.” 

Crocheting is something sophomore Valerie Nanton finds helpful for her mental health with Thursday’s event allowing her to crochet with other Redhawks.

“I have trouble connecting with my emotions and staying grounded,” Nanton said. “Making art – especially physical, hand-crafted art – helps me with those problems and betters my mental health. It can also be pleasant to create art in the company of others every now and then, seeing as I usually do it in isolation, because [that] helps me feel less alone while also being in the moment.” 

With no clear plans about what piece she’ll make Thursday, Nanton has some ideas. 

“I have no idea what I want to crochet,” Nanton said. “I might make a little critter of some kind – perhaps something from my ‘Creepy Creatures & Cryptids’ crochet pattern book I received as a gift once upon a time,” she said. “Animals are my favorite to make.”