Jefferson City I.C. School students crochet for fun in free time
SCROLL THE ARROWS to see more photos.
A new hobby has taken the students of Immaculate Conception School in Jefferson City by storm.
Students can be found with balls of yarn at their feet, twisting their crochet needles together, sitting in circles with classmates during study hall and research.
Some carry around bags with their creations: tiny dinosaurs, octopuses, dogs and scarves.
When students finish up their work during study hall, teachers have been trying to get them “unplugged” and doing activities that don’t involve a screen, and crocheting has been a popular option.
Landra Collins began as a counselor at the school this year. When students noticed her collection of crocheted blankets, they began asking questions.
One thing led to another, and students were soon learning to crochet.
The students have come far enough that they now teach each other and work more or less independently.
Not only does crocheting offer a creative alternative to screens, it is also an exercise in patience and dexterity, which studies show children are increasingly losing as digital devices become a greater part of daily life.
Crocheting has spread beyond study hall to encompass recess, after-school gatherings, and time at home or at school events.
Fifth-grader Holly Wieberg crochets during car rides on the way to volleyball matches.
She’ll also crochet during breaks and while watching her brother’s baseball tournaments.
“It’s just fun to do whenever I’m bored,” she said.
She knew how to crochet before this year, but said she’s not a good teacher. But she enjoys crocheting alongside other people.
“It’s really easy to make once you get to know how to make (the starting ring), but at first, whenever you’re learning how to make it, it’s really hard,” Holly said.
Scarves became very popular during the winter, but students found them challenging.
Fifth-grader Avery Berhorst received a Wooble for Christmas, a kit to create a crocheted animal, so she began learning the craft.
To begin, you need to get in the crocheting position, she explained, wrapping the yarn around the pinky and behind the finger, holding it with a middle finger and thumb.
Then you create a “magic ring,” a little circle upon which many crocheting projects are built.
After forming the ring, you crochet outward, increasing each time to create larger circles.
When finished, you sew your project closed.
Avery said she also enjoys crocheting at home.
“It’s very calming,” she said.
Most of the items are donated from teachers and parishioners who heard about the students’ interest and found some yarn lying around the house.
Ms. Collins said she hopes the students can turn around and donate to others next year by making items like poppies or hats.
This article and photos were originally published April 4 in the Jefferson City News Tribune (newstribune.com) and are republished here with permission.
