Fancy a night off from the chaos? Crochet and Knit is ideal for a relaxed weeknight.
A sense of community is what initially strikes upon meeting the Newcastle University Crochet and Knit Society; less than a month into the academic year, and it’s clear what a warm atmosphere has already been created.
A membership for the year costs £5 and includes a weekly two-hour knitting and crocheting social, usually in a pub, café or student union building, as well as any other social events the society may put on.
The committee said that these events are a means to socialise, giving members an opportunity to meet people they wouldn’t ordinarily.
And this ideology spreads throughout the society; students from various disciplines and ages are seen interacting with each other, like a group I sat with that consisted of both first-year and PhD students.
Katie Mackenzie, a 1st year student I spoke to, said that crochet and knitting is “something I’d be doing at home, so it’s nice to do it with other people.”
This dynamic of students from across age groups and disciplines talking to each other is one I have rarely seen in the societies I have visited thus far.
The society “tend to do more non-drinking socials”, said its president, Ellen Green, and though their weekly knitting and crocheting socials can sometimes take place in a pub, she insists that “there is no expectation of anyone drinking.”
When speaking to the members, many of them appeared to appreciate the calmer atmosphere of the crochet and knitting society compared to the usual wild stereotypes attached to university societies.
1st year student Katie Mackenzie said that “I’m not really a big drinker so it’s nice to be in a place where you don’t have to. There’s just less pressure.”
“I’m not really a big drinker so it’s just nice to be in a place where you don’t have to. There’s just less pressure. It’s just nice after a day of lectures and classes to decompress.”
Eleanor, Member
For anyone wanting to give crochet and knitting society a go, its treasurer, Katie Mills, suggests that they have some knowledge of their chosen craft before attending the socials, or are at least willing to learn in their own time as the purpose of the socials is not to teach people how to knit or crochet but to give people a social space to knit and crochet together.
The society also require members to bring their own needles (if they are knitting) and hooks (if they are crocheting).
The members appear happy with the society, reporting no drawbacks but commenting on many of the upsides that drew them to the society.
The president, Ellen Green, described the society as “so chill” and “a good place to meet new people.”
Memberships for the Crochet and Knitting Society are available on the NUSU website for all Newcastle University students.
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