Whether it’s used for personal expression, a way to bond with friends or a method to unwind, the crochet craze has captured the attention of college students.

At Oakland University, students are fostering a close-knit community, one stitch at a time.

Through hooks and yarn, the Crochet Club of OU weaves a creative connection among students. The club provides students with a chance to learn new stitches, share projects with others and hang out with friends while creating handmade projects. 

Shefali Khullar, president of the crochet club, was surprised that OU did not already have a club for crochet enthusiasts and decided to start one after recognizing the gap.

“I noticed that major universities in Michigan had crochet and knitting clubs, but Oakland University did not, so I took the opportunity,” Khullar said. 

Like Khullar, other students also recognized the absence of a crochet club at OU. The meeting attendees shared a passion for crochet but previously lacked an outlet on campus to nurture that interest.

“I’ve been wanting to join a crochet club for a while, and when they posted the announcement for the first meeting, I loved it,” said Emma Ostrau, an attendee.

From 12:00 to 1:00 p.m on Thursday, Feb 26, Oakland University’s Crochet Club kicked off the club’s first-ever meeting in meeting room 127 of the Oakland Center. At the meeting, students were provided with yarn, hooks and refreshments as they engaged in crocheting. 

As the meeting started, attendees greeted each other and shared their experience level with crocheting. Regardless of experience level, the Crochet Club invited all students to participate in the club’s first meeting.

“I want students to know that anyone can come whether they’re beginners or not,” Khullar said. “This is a relaxing space to just create.” 

The event featured crochet tutorials, provided free supplies, and offered a relaxing atmosphere where students could bond over their creative projects.

Students value the club for its supportive atmosphere and the strong sense of community it fosters at events.

Allison Mills, an attendee, finds united spaces beneficial for mental health. 

“I see this club getting me back into having a sense of community,” Mills said. “Being around a bunch of people with similar interests will be really helpful for my mental health.” 

Khullar wants this club to unite students as a creative community. As students join, Khullar hopes they inspire one another creatively while forming a united community.

“I want to create a community of crocheters and hopefully teach somebody how to crochet,” Khullar said. 

Khullar acknowledges that starting a new hobby can often feel intimidating or overwhelming, especially for students balancing busy schedules and academic responsibilities.

The vision for the crochet club is to create a welcoming and relaxing environment where students can unwind, express themselves creatively, and connect with one another, fostering meaningful interactions and a sense of community on campus.

“It is always good to learn a new hobby, and this relaxing, low-barrier environment is a great space to start a new hobby,” Khullar said.