Since 2005, on Fridays at noon, a small group of students have come together to relax, converse, and knit for charity at Park Row. I’m sure you’ve seen the flyers around campus or have received an email or two about the club. Intrigued, I wanted to know more and attended a meeting. I was thrilled with the friends I made and community I found through knitting and I just had to share. I interviewed a few members and Velma Bascome, the instructor, about their time in the club.
The first student I spoke with was Agathe Burdi, an honors junior majoring in psychology. After hearing about the knitting club from some friends, she decided to join herself. Agathe expressed that having a creative outlet that’s fun and lacks any expectations is refreshing. She goes every week “because of the people. I love Velma; she is a kind soul and shares so much knowledge about knitting. The members who go to Knitting Circle are also such kind people.” We discussed what made this organization so unique, with Agathe explaining how each knitter has a totally different style. Not only is knitting club full of cool people, but it’s also a great way to learn a new and useful skill.
Emma Flemming, also a junior, was equally as enthusiastic to share her positive experience. She’s been a part of the club since her sophomore year. Her roommate’s passion for knitting inspired her to take it up herself. When I asked her why she loved the Knitting Circle, she answered, “Velma. Velma, of course, my queen.” After my first interaction knitting with Velma, I have to agree. But Velma’s not the only thing Emma loves about the club. She went on to mention the environment and the people.
Everyone I spoke to was equally surprised at how relaxing knitting was. It’s a great way to unwind at the end of the school week but it still gives a strong sense of accomplishment. There’s nothing like finishing a good scarf or hat. To me, it’s kinda like a brain scratch. You don’t really have to even think about anything not even the knitting, eventually, it just becomes muscle memory. You can turn off your brain, not have to focus on anything, just relax. It’s an excellent way to recharge. Emma wants more people to join knitting club and thinks they’d enjoy it more than they might expect. “You should join knitting club because the feeling of learning a new skill is rewarding. We accomplish things. That’s my favorite part.”
The last student I spoke with was Danielle Harari, a senior studying criminal justice with a double minor in peace and justice studies and anthropology. Her role in the club is a little different than most. She works as a student assistant for the Office of Multicultural Affairs, which hosts Knitting Circle. She is in charge of setting up every week and advertising the club. But Danielle would be a part of the club even if it wasn’t in her job description. “Honestly, I would go to knitting circles if it wasn’t included in my job.” She likes how it offers a safe space to just hang out and there are no expectations. Danielle made a great point about how knitting is an excellent coping mechanism for people with anxiety. It is not an over-stimulating activity. Especially in an area like the Office of Multicultural Affairs, which brings all types of people in from all different backgrounds, it’s a safe place. When I asked her why she liked knitting and why more people should check out the club, she said “Velma is the coolest person alive. You need to meet Velma and learn how to knit with her. On top of that, you are doing something for a good cause! You’re making hats, blankets, and scarves for Bellevue Hospital Pediatric and Adolescent Units. So come join us on Fridays!”
Now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for, the one and only Velma Bascome. Velma has a very long history with knitting, crocheting, and design. When she lived in Germany for three years as a military dependent, she didn’t have a job or any children “So I was very bored,” she quipped. With her free time, she learned how to crochet from magazines and then went on to knitting. When she returned to the United States, she saw an ad in the New York Times for a job as a directions writer at Coats and Clarks, looking for someone to write “how-to” articles on topics including knitting. “Well, what the hell,” she thought, and applied. At the interview, they asked her to bring a garment she had made that she had learned from a book. However, she told the employers, “If I were a direction writer, I wouldn’t be able to use books. I did it by what I saw. They would give me a garment. I would look at it and its patterns, and I would write directions for it.”
Knitting, crocheting, and sewing are “dying out,” Velma believes. Very few people do it anymore, especially not the younger generations. Velma hopes to teach the youth of today how to knit and keep it alive. “There are certain other skills that I had to learn that the younger generation does not. You guys can print everything where I had to learn cursive to write. The idea is if you don’t use it and you don’t perpetuate it to the next generation, it will die out.” She loves sharing her wisdom and helping students learn how to knit and crochet.
If anything in this article interests you in the slightest, then come to the Honors College crochet/knitting event on Tuesday, December 5th, during common hour (2:25 to 3:25) in the Honors Lounge. You can find out more about it and RSVP on the honors Instagram. If you want to wow some of your fellow honors friends with your knitting skills, stop by the Knitting Circle in room 913 of 41 Park Row for Knitting Circle. Meet Velma and some other awesome people, learn how to knit, and have nice conversations. be sure to follow the Office of Multicultural Affairs on Instagram, @oma_pace, to stay updated on the Knitting Circle. I hope you’ll visit. I know I will!
