Students helped themselves to a wide variety of fun crafts, games and trinkets to wind down and escape their worries during the first Crafty Hour of the semester held in the Torreyson Library on Feb. 4th.
The event featured Knitwise, an RSO that has recently made its return to campus.
“[Knitwise] is for students who are interested in any kind of yarn or thread craft and they can come and learn if they want to learn,” said Leah Horton, the staff advisor of Knitwise and associate dean for the Norbert O. Schedler Honors College at UCA. “These kinds of events help us increase our visibility.”
Donna Bowman, a professor of interdisciplinary studies in the Honors College, started Knitwise years ago, but it became inactive for some time. Events like Crafty Hour help bring the organization back to life and allow for more interested students to get involved and try something new, as there was something there for everyone.
Crafty Hour was advertised on UCA social media platforms and posters for the event were hung around the library. The event was held beside the library Starbucks, a popular spot on campus where many students go to study while being able to enjoy their favorite sweet treats.
“We revived [Knitwise] this year because we had some students who were looking for a knitting and crochet club, so we redid a donation and got the organization reapproved through student life,” Horton said.
During Crafty Hour, attendees were welcome to bring their own crafting materials, but many other materials were provided as well. Activities other than yarn and thread crafts were offered, such as coloring sheets, Legos, card and board games, clay and more, which were donated to Knitwise for the event.
Sophomore Katie Mueller colored a page with pencils that were supplied at the event and afterward built a house out of Legos.
Freshman Emily Oppenhuizen brought her own crocheting supplies and she worked on crocheting a six-day star blanket, a blanket that is crafted by starting at the center of the blanket and working through it until a seven-pointed star shape is formed, which she plans on giving to her younger sister.
“There’s an honors research study that I’m part of that taught me how to crochet, and I go to that each week,” Oppenhuizen said. “It’s just a hobby that I use to relax and wind down with. I wanted a break from my homework, and I love to crochet.”
Not only was this event beneficial for Knitwise, as it helped the organization gain popularity, it was also beneficial for students who wanted a break from their studies while also being able to make new friends and potentially learn something new.
“We’re going to start bringing materials to Crafty Hour for beginners,” Hortons said.
Horton taught students how to make crafts with yarn and thread and taught Oppenhuizen how to crochet efficiently.
Knitwise is actively taking donations for Crafty Hour and will return to the library every Tuesday until April 22.
