It is known that Norwood High School contains many talented artists. When we hear the word “artist”, we often think of music, painting, or drawing. Art, however, has a variety of mediums. Such mediums are yarn and thread.
Yarn has a plethora of applications. It can be used in crocheting, knitting, rug making, and much so more. It can be sewn onto the heads of dolls to make hair, if that’s the craft that you’re into. It is a very versatile medium. Thread is also one of these versatile mediums; it’s often found in mending, embroidery, quilting, the attachment of pieces, weaving, sewing, etc. Not only are these yarn and thread activities enjoyable, but they are also beneficial to the mental and even the physical state.
Yarning can be an alternative to bad habits. If you ask a group of students here if they doomscroll, you can be sure that they have at least once, or even regularly.
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, doomscrolling is when people “spend excessive time online scrolling through news or other content that makes one feel sad, anxious, angry, etc.”
A blog says, “64% of Americans described themselves as doomscrollers, with Gen Z being the most likely to do so (81%)”(Payless Power).
Yarning is an activity that can replace doomscrolling because it keeps the mind and hands busy.
The article “Young people are starting to knit and crochet for mental health” says, “Sarah McKay, a neuroscientist and science communicator from Sydney, Australia, says the social connections people form at a crochet night or a knitting-group gathering are an important and under-recognized determinant of health”(Surgenor).
Working on projects in a crochet or knitting group can be comforting and therapeutic because it’s a more laid-back environment. It’s mostly stress-free and relaxing. Crocheting and knitting provide good opportunities for a person to sit with their own thoughts and check in with themselves to assess how they’re doing. It can serve as a good distraction to wind down after a long day or just in general. Completing projects can fill a person with a sense of pride and accomplishment, and maybe think to themselves, “hey, I did that!”.
Relief from stress and the beneficial impacts associated with crafting may be exactly what some students need as a result of stressful academics.
Instituting a club dedicated to crafts at NHS would be beneficial for kids who wish to express themselves and explore a new activity. There are many kids here who feel unsupported or cannot find their group of people. Clubs offer a sense of community for students with specific interests.
Freshman Sienna Powers says, “I love being in clubs. I feel like it gives me a sense of belonging, and I’ve definitely made friends. Yeah, I try to join clubs for things that interest me so I can make new friends who share the same interests.”
As many know, Mrs. Connolly takes crocheting and knitting very seriously. She’s the perfect candidate for being head of the crocheting club. She’s smart, humorous, and a great crocheter. Sure, she has plenty she can learn. But isn’t that the point of clubs? To learn, grow, and make memories?
Mrs. Connolly’s new addition to her completed crafts is a crocheted dinosaur stuffed animal named Fred. Mrs. Connolly can frequently be seen showing him off to students and anyone who will stop and see. She shows her pride in her fantastic works of art.
A crafting club is the perfect place for people to go to socialize and learn or teach art, as well as relax after an exhausting day of school. It can connect students who share similar interests or who have a desire to be involved.
Sources
Power, Payless. “Payless Power.” Payless Power, 22 Apr. 2025, paylesspower.com/blog/the-real-cost-of-doomscrolling/.
Surgenor, Helen. “Young People Are Starting to Knit and Crochet for Mental Health.” CBC, 7 Apr. 2023, www.cbc.ca/radio/holiday-special-woold-report-1.6802265.