Since COVID, the popularity of crocheting as a hobby has been on the rise. With no confirmed origin, crocheting has been linked to Arabia, where it was shared through the Mediterranean trade routes. Another theory is that it evolved through Chinese needlework.
Hooked!, Bradley’s crocheting club, was officially brought to campus this fall for students to come together and share their love of the art.
At Sunday night’s meeting, participants ranged from beginners to advanced, working on personal projects and learning new techniques.
“This is the first club I’ve ever joined, so that says a lot,” Lauren Davis, a sophomore psychology major, said. “Laura [the club’s president and founder] in general has helped me come out of my shell. If it wasn’t for her, I would not be here.”
Davis said she hopes her skills will be as proficient as Hooked!’s president one day.
Laura Nduka started the club to help students set aside time for their creative hobbies.
“A lot of people that I’ve talked to always say how they wanted to get into crocheting or [that] they know how to crochet, they just don’t have any time in college, so I was like ‘You do have time, you just don’t give yourself the time,’” Nduka, a sophomore kinesiology and health science major, said.
Nduka, while helping teach Davis, simultaneously worked on her own personal project of crocheting a hat. Other projects ranged from simple chains to a life-sized Pokémon plush.
Eva Borione, a junior environmental science major, is working on a Chucky doll as part of a boo basket she is putting together.
“My grandma taught me how to knit when I was seven or eight,” Borione said. “Then three years ago, I picked up how to teach myself to crochet, and at the same time, I picked up knitting again.”
Borione said crocheting is a fun, relaxing hobby until things get complicated, but after overcoming the hurdles, it’s enjoyable again. She plans to learn more patterns on her own and through the club.
“I like interacting with more people and the vibes of the club, too,” Borione said.
Hooked! meets at 6 p.m. every Sunday and Thursday in the Gargoyle room.
