The Hooked on Crochet Club returns to Seton Hall after the original iteration of the club was deactivated a few years ago, according to the club’s president Christopher Ivanov, a junior biology major. Due to the passion of the current e-board, the club quickly reopened to students on campus.
Caroline Kang, a biology major and the vice president of Hooked on Crochet, said she wanted to reactivate the club after it was deactivated earlier in her college career.
“When I was a freshman, the club deactivated, so in my sophomore year, I wanted to restart the club to create a place where we could crochet on campus,” Kang said.
"Seton Hall’s Hooked on Crochet club provides a warm, welcoming, and friendly atmosphere for people looking to learn a new skill or to unwind after a stressful day,” Kang added, noting that the club is open to all students, no matter the skill level.
“Anyone can come in and just take some time to relax, learn a new skill, and hopefully have some fun,” Yuen added.
The club places emphasis on the rewards and benefits that come from learning crochet, especially for stressed-out college students. This is true for Ivanov
“It can be frustrating when you’re learning it, but once you’ve got it down, it’s very relaxing,” Ivanov said. “In addition, when you crochet, you usually think of other people, so it makes for good gifts and good socialization.”
The club’s activities are more than just pure recreation. They plan a variety of service events throughout the semester.
“We try to run at least one event involved in social service every semester,” Ivanov said. “Last semester, we donated crocheted hats to a homeless shelter, and this semester, we’re planning on donating reusable crocheted pads.”
Recently, the organization hosted a Sip ‘n Stitch Workshop, where students could learn how to crochet custom squares while enjoying some tea and relaxing music. Students who attended the event were drawn to the club because of its relaxing nature after a stressful day of classes. One of the attendees reflected this notion.
“After a long day of classes, it was a fun activity to get into,” said Eric Milne, a sophomore criminal justice major. “It’s very simple compared to other campus activities. I’m just sitting here doing this relaxing activity, and it’s a lot of fun to practice and learn.”
Hooked on Crochet prides itself on being welcoming towards beginners through its new marketing techniques. Ivanov said doing this required them to “expand our social media presence.”
Hooked on Crochet understands that “the biggest hill to climb is getting your foot in the door,” Ivanov said.
Despite the focus on crochet, the club also hopes attendees of their events take away more than just learning a new skill.
“Crochet is one of those things people might see on social media and think, ‘Wow, I wish I could do that,’” Ivanov said. “So I hope people learn that it’s okay to try new things without needing to be good at them right away.”
For any students interested in attending these events, Hooked on Crochet is planning a variety of upcoming events throughout the end of the year
“We have a pad making event coming up in collaboration with OSA and Women in STEM, and a picnic on the green to celebrate all the work we’ve done,” Kang said.
“This year was our first really big year where we’ve had a lot of success,” Yuen added. “In the future, we’re excited to plan bigger, do more fun events, and get more collaborations with clubs for students on campus to enjoy.”
Carmine Sortino is a writer for The Setonian’s Features section. She can be reached at carmine.sortino@student.shu.edu.
