In a world where technology is the default time waster for teens, a hobby honed by older generations has emerged amongst the youth and sparks creativity. Crochet has allowed students to express themselves and display a niche skill that is slowly gaining popularity among younger generations as it is integrated through social media and nostalgia.
“When I was little, my friends thought crocheting was cool, but they also thought I was an old lady,” junior Tenny Barton said. “With crocheting videos going viral on TikTok, so many of my friends have started doing it themselves and showing me what they are making.”
Tenny’s grandmother introduced her to the world of crochet and taught her step-by-step how to channel her creativity into a project.
“My grandmother was excited that I wanted to learn and to have someone to crochet with,” Tenny said. “She was a practical lady and emphasized that I would have to pay attention and sit still a lot, but as I got older, she got a lot more excited, and it was so much fun.”
Crochet is a skill passed down from generation to generation. Grandparents and even parents teach their children this complex craft.
“When I was 10 years old, my mom gave me a book on how to crochet,” junior Eris Villareal said. “Whatever I didn’t understand, she taught me.”
For many young people exploring crochet as a hobby, family members have served as an integral part of the process.
“I think it’s really cool to be able to take a bunch of string and make it into a piece of fabric,” Tenny said. “Because my grandmother taught me with her words, I didn’t learn to crochet with a pattern until much later, but I think that gave me a better sense of how the yarn works and how to make shapes to create things like stuffed animals.”
Crochet adds a unique personal touch to crafts and allows individuals to relax and take their minds off the stress of life.
“Everybody is so used to factory-made things, so it’s nice to be able to make something by hand,” junior Jess Sicilia said. “It’s a great form of self-expression and has helped me channel my nervous energy.”
Many of the students believe that gifting something handmade to a loved one makes it that much more meaningful to the recipient. Though a seemingly simple gesture, gifting handmade items to someone involves so much more love and emotion.
“The first thing I ever made is my favorite, not because it was impressive, but because it was the most sentimental,” Jess said. “It was a single long stitch that I used to make a bow around a gift I gave Mrs. Lopez.”
Though a seemingly simple activity, each weave and stitch work together to create a harmonious artifact that can bring people together.
“Handmade gifts mean so much more,” English teacher Rachel Stephenson said. “Understanding the hours of work that goes into making something like a hat, scarf, or stuffed animal lets you know how much a person cares.”
Social media has promoted and normalized younger generations to participate in this hobby frequently associated with old ladies.
“With the rise of TikTok, once videos of crocheting start to pop up and users click on a couple of them, their algorithm starts to change, and they see more and more of them,” Stephenson said. “When people see all the cool things that can be created with crocheting, they want to do it too.”
Along with being a fun hobby, crochet also has a positive mental impact on individuals.
“Crocheting is great because it helps foster fine motor skills and keeps the mind working, but in a relaxed way,” Tenny said. “I also think it’s empowering to create something from scratch in a world where so many things are purchased quickly.”
Contrary to the decreasing attention spans of the youth because of easily accessible social media and rapid-fire content, crochet allows kids to learn to sit back, relax, and take a moment to think.
“It is important to learn how to have a long attention span and to be able to create something and take the time to create it,” Eris said. “In the future, you will have a better perception of how much time, work, and energy goes into getting something done.”
In addition to increasing attention spans, crochet serves as an outlet for people to express their creativity and ideas in a fun and relaxing way.
“When people make something with their hands, it adds personality and allows them to showcase their own creativity and add their own flare,” Stephenson said. “Crocheting is a great way to occupy downtime while relaxing and still feeling productive.”
The quiet moments and downtime were difficult for Tenny after her grandmother passed away, but she found crochet as a way to keep her grandmother’s spirit alive, though, initially, she found it to be a difficult process.
“After my grandmother passed away, it was hard for me to crochet for a little while,” Tenny said. “I would start projects and just stop working on them. I just couldn’t bring myself to finish. After some time passed, though, I returned to it, and it’s become comforting and cathartic.”
Though it was difficult losing a loved one, Tenny was able to use crochet as a means of remembrance and passion.
“Crocheting allows me to carry a part of my grandmother with me,” Tenny said. “I have all the tools she used, and several of my other family members have shown an interest in learning how to crochet, too to keep a part of her with them.”
Crochet can be for anyone as there are no limitations to age, gender, or even ability level.
“I hope people my age come to see crocheting as something anyone can enjoy and understand that it’s not just for old ladies,” Jess said. “Crocheting something for someone is a great way to let them know they are important to you because of the time and effort that goes into making something.”
