By Claire Allison McGuire
An athlete, a tour guide, computer science and studio art majors and several first-year students walked into Lowry 201. While it sounds like the start of a bad joke, it’s not! This diverse collective of students is coming together to learn how to knit.
Knitting, a commonly solitary art form, is being reimagined by Knot Another Fiber Arts Society (KAFAS), who held a Knitting Workshop on Sept. 7. Students of varying degrees of expertise in the fiber arts gathered to work together using step-by-step instruction. The range of students in the room was vast, coming from different classes, majors, activities and social groups.
The society’s president, Kalee Henderson ’26, is excited about this year for the group and the opportunities it allots for a growing community. “I think that the fiber arts society is a great place for students from a variety of majors to meet each other, take a break from studying and connect over a non-academic common interest,” Henderson said. “The mix of beginners and experienced fiber artists in the group creates a strong sense of community as everyone can share their ideas and help others learn new skills.”
The more inexperienced members of the group would certainly agree. Emilee Klopert ’27, a first-time knitter, shared, “I’ve always wanted to try knitting but was always kind of scared to, but I think I got the hang of it thanks to everyone I met at the knitting workshop helping me out!”
However, this community does not just knit for themselves. Each year, the members of KAFAS create a collaborative blanket to donate to Warm Up America! Foundation, a national organization based in Tennessee that has donated over 1.5 million volunteer-made blankets and clothing to people in need. In the past, the club has also donated knitted goods to International Student Service’s Coat Drive here at the College and to the Trinity United Church of Christ, to be given to unhoused community members in Wooster.
Within such a rigorous academic community, the visual arts can seldom feel appreciated. Henderson added, “KAFAS is one of the only visual arts organizations on campus, so I think it is a great opportunity for all types of artists to come together and learn new skills or gain inspiration from their peers.” The importance of art on the campus is vital given the stress that comes with classes. KAFAS is aiding in the effort to lessen the burden of college through threads and needles.
Knot Another Fiber Arts Society meets every Thursday from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in room 201 in Lowry Student Center. They can be found on Instagram @knotanotherfiberartssociety.
And always remember, as I learned in the meeting, if you mess up your knitting, knit happens!