Walking down Middle Path, especially in the midst of winter, it won’t take long to spot a handmade item such as a knitted beanie or an intricately-embroidered sweater. According to an article in The Guardian, crocheting and knitting, interests typically associated with older generations, have seen a sharp increase in popularity among Gen Z. Responsible for this increase is the hobby’s encouragement of connection, purpose and refuge from our busy, online world — feelings Gen Z, who grew up in a lockdown, especially desires. Many students at Kenyon have similarly found solace and community in the fiber arts. 

Heading north on Monday nights, you might hear the sound of chatter and sewing needles emanating from the Craft Center; if so, you’ve found yourself at Fiber Arts Club! Club President Paloma Fernandez ’26 started knitting in elementary school but dropped it for years. The boredom of lockdown inspired her to pick it back up again, and she hasn’t stopped since. In an email to the Collegian, Fernandez wrote that Fiber Arts Club is “a space for people of any fiber art to come work on their crafts. We also teach people with no fiber arts experience — I always encourage people to come and try, especially if they think they cannot do it.” Not only is the Craft Center a place for both serious hobbyists and newcomers to work on their projects, it is also a place of community. Fernandez emphasized that “it is nice to dedicate a little bit of time each week to doing nothing other than working on your project and talking with friends.” 

Beyond Kenyon’s official organization, some students prefer to use the hobby as a way to destress on their own. For Ellie Westfall ’27, engaging in fiber arts is all about slowing down and appreciating the moment: “My absolute favorite way to engage with fiber arts on campus is in solitude during extendo. I grab a cup of coffee and a snack and knit quietly, looking over the hills and giving myself a break from the day.” Westfall has been knitting for six years and makes everything from sweaters and scarves to mittens and socks. But the most important element of knitting, Westfall wrote in an email to the Collegian, is that “any way you engage in fiber arts helps us connect with more analog, slow ways of life.”

Sari Wachtelhausen ’27, a knitter since the age of 10, shared similar sentiments to Westfall, explaining in an email to the Collegian, “I often prefer to knit alone or in a small group of friends because it’s such a calming activity.” Wachtelhausen described the type of knitting she most enjoys: clothing. Her recent projects include “a cardigan with colorwork skeletons, a sweater with a giant green beetle and a swirly vest by designer Caledonia Dreamin’.” 

Robin Pratt ’26 also enjoys the practical aspects of fiber arts, especially embroidery: “I’m a big fan of patching and embroidering worn out clothes. Crochet is super fun but I don’t always know what to do with the pieces once I have them.” They added that they often use the hobby “as a stim toy during class for ADHD,” helping them focus during long discussions. 

The art of crocheting and knitting on our campus goes beyond student crafts. Associate Registrar Phaedra Woodard sells crocheted items made by her mother, Ila Fawcett, through all-student emails. Fawcett, who just turned 80 this past August, has made and sold over 100 items to students. In an email to the Collegian, Fawcett explained, “I’ve been crocheting since I was about 10. I started with a doily since that’s what my mother made. At the time, I would much rather hand sew fancy gowns for my doll and loved doing that.” This youthful passion has stayed with Fawcett her whole life, and she now crochets multiple projects at a time, her favorites being animals and dolls. She has only ever kept one piece for herself, a colorful doll, as she prefers sharing her craft with others. “I would much rather give away or sell the rest. It always makes me feel good that I can put a smile on someone’s face with a funny animal. It makes my heart happy when my daughter, Phaedra, tells me that a student is excited to receive something I’ve made.”

When asked about the best form of fiber arts, students agreed that there isn’t a winner, but rather that they all offer a place of peace and purpose. Wachtelhausen maintained that “at the end of the day, we’re all doing something we love and that brings us joy, whether it’s knitting, crochet, embroidery, felting, et cetera. If it makes you happy and you’ve created something you’re proud of, then it’s the best!” Through Fiber Arts Club and knitting atop the hill behind Peirce Hall, Kenyon’s circle of knitters and crocheters seems to have unlocked the key to finding connection, solace and respite from their busy lives.