The Knitting Club at Cabrini College is a new club that was started up this semester in order to bring together both knitters and non-knitters. The club was started up by senior biology major, Trevor Cross. What began as hobby turned into a passion for Cross and he had then wanted to share that with not only others who like to knit and crochet but with anybody who seemed interested.
A knitting group had previously existed on campus, but for whatever reason didn’t last. Cross took the opportunity to bring back knitting to Cabrini. The club is advised by Lisa Ratmansky, director of the Center for Teaching and Learning.
Cross had taught many to knit at Cabrini before he started up the knitting club, “Ever since freshman year I had my stuff with me and I ended up teaching a couple of my friends.”
Veronica Smith a junior biotechnology major and one of Cross’s knitting students describe Cross as an “avid knitter,” and a “serious teacher” when it comes to knitting. “I learned how to knit at our first meeting.” Smith described the club as really “organic” and that anybody can come in and learn a new hobby. “We just listen to music, knit and share stories. It’s really laid back and welcoming.”
Anywhere between seven and 15 people stop by at any given meeting, and the meetings will sometimes continue on for hours before anyone wants to leave.
The meetings take place in Iadarola and what many love about it is that it is out in the open. “People will see what we’re doing and stop by” said Smith.
At the meetings most people tend to bring their own projects to knit and crochet on their own, while for others it may be their first time so with a basket of yarn and a needle, they learn. By bringing people together to enjoy the craft it makes it more comforting “We talk about different techniques and teach each other new stitches,” Smith said.
The club also hopes to knit for a purpose in the near future. Cross had been planning to incorporate a service project that the knitting club could do and work with some organizations. Some of the organizations Cross would like to reach out had missions that included knitting for people with substance abuse problems and inner-city kids learning how to knit and crochet.
The Knitting club meets in the Iadarola lobby Wednesdays at 5 p.m. Anyone is welcome to join in, there are no dues and food is included.
