Loops of colorful yarn slip through deft fingers, sounds of conversation and laughter fill the room, and members of Yarn Club create projects ranging from granny squares–an introductory level project–to intricate blankets, Ashley Truong, Yarn Club sponsor and Social Studies Department Administrative Assistant, said.

Yarn Club meets every Tuesday after school in the Social Studies Department, Truong said. It brings together students interested in fiber-based crafts, such as knitting and crocheting, Truong added. The club provides an easy-going opportunity to explore their interests, sophomore Zoe Hoppe, Yarn Club member, said.

“It is nice to be a part of something with others who are passionate about knitting and crocheting like I am,” Hoppe said.

The benefits of knitting and crocheting go beyond creating a finished product. Yarn Club acts as a welcoming space for mindfulness and connection through activities that reduce phone usage and encourage connection, Truong said.

“Knitting makes me really happy,” Truong said. “It is great for my mental health, because it keeps me relaxed, and I love helping other people find that.”

Looking ahead, Yarn Club hopes to expand its impact in the community by donating handmade creations for premature babies in the hospital, or partnering with other organizations in need, Truong said. Yarn Club will continue to bring together students of all skill levels wanting to pick up a new hobby, junior Ellie Layman, Yarn Club member, said.

“It does not matter what grade you are in or whether you have crochet experience or not,” Layman said. “We want to see new faces, get to know new people, and teach them about crocheting.”