While Marina Petrović-Kinzy awaited an interview for a scholarship, she noticed a member of the previous cohort waiting outside knitting. Striking up a conversation about their shared love of knitting, Petrović-Kinzy and Lauren Campbell decided they wanted to create a place for fellow students to bond over their love of fiber arts. 

On Nov. 14, The Fiber Arts Collective held its first meeting at the Main Mall, inviting students of all experience levels to join them for a relaxed evening of knitting and crochet. The event started at 5 p.m., with crafters enjoying conversation and snacks until sunset. Co-founders urban studies sophomore Petrović-Kinzy and biochemistry and health and society senior Campbell said they hope this event will be the first of many fiber arts socials. 

 “The idea is to make a community where people can come and relax together,” Campbell said. “(It is a) no judgment space … You can come learn something new and perfect your craft.”

Petrović-Kinzy said she first got started in fiber arts purely by accident. While trying to learn a new language, Petrović-Kinzy said she turned to YouTube to watch videos of native speakers. One day, a video of a woman knitting while speaking Dutch inspired her to try her hand at knitting. 

“She was just doing it so fast and using colorwork techniques,” said  Petrović-Kinzy. “I was like, ‘I have to learn.’ From then on, I dedicated a lot of time to knitting and learning how to knit. I started off with two chopsticks and craft yarn … and I’ve been knitting since.”  

In addition to celebrating their shared love of knitting, Petrović-Kinzy and Campbell said they want to welcome students interested in any style of fiber arts, whether that be knitting, crochet or embroidery. At the social, members helped students learn to crochet and shared homemade cookies. 

“I really like how relaxed it is,” psychology senior Sofia Pham said. “It’s very much like hanging out with your friends.” Pham said she mostly crochets plushies and came to the social in hopes of meeting more students interested in crochet and fiber arts. 

“I am a huge procrastinator with all my projects, so I thought it might help motivate me to work on some of my stuff,” Pham said. 

In the future, Petrović-Kinzy said they plan to host more socials that focus on relaxation and community. Their next event is set to take place on Nov. 21, allowing members to do a show and tell of their current projects. Campbell said knitting is a way for her to destress and hopes their club will provide that same relief to those who join. 

“I struggle with anxiety, and for me, knitting is (something I can) take anywhere and it immediately makes me feel more relaxed,” Campbell said. 

Campbell said The Fiber Arts Collective proves fit for students who love to craft and want to meet like-minded students. 

“Everybody can join, everybody can learn (and) everybody can be a part of a nice, calming, low-stress environment,” Campbell said.