By Cecilia Gunther
Skeins of brightly-colored yarn were spread out around the room. Hooks and needles clicked in the hands of crafters laughing together and sharing tips and encouragement. Some wore intricate handmade sweaters and accessories improved by years of practice, while others learned how to tie their very first slipknot. Arachne’s Weavers’ first official club meeting in October was a tapestry of community and creativity interwoven together.
This is the first semester that the club, which is dedicated to celebrating and teaching fiber arts, has been up and running on campus. It was founded by club president Wallie Moid, an Adelphi junior who said she loves to create and share her knowledge with others. Moid, a psychology and computer science double major with a concentration in information security, based the name on the Greek myth of Arachne, a woman who was turned into a spider by a goddess jealous of her weaving skills.
Moid has been interested in fiber arts since she was very young. She said, “My mom is a seamstress, so growing up I used to steal needles and I learned how to sew myself. I taught myself how to crochet through YouTube.”
The idea of starting the club came to Moid when she and Geordie Ravara, an Adelphi junior biology major with a theater minor in acting and now club vice president, were working together on campus.
“Geordie and I work in Admissions, and I always noticed that we were both crocheting. I was saying to Geordie that I wish we had some sort of club on campus,” she said. “I know some other organizations have them, and I was debating if I should wait for someone else to start one or just start one myself.”
The club, now a successful reality, consists of those with a knowledge of crocheting, macrame, embroidery, needlework, sewing, felting, knitting and more or those who are simply interested in learning and trying something new. Because a variety of art styles fall under the title “fiber art,” there is room for all different sorts of craftsmanship within the club.
Ravara said, “We are not just doing one thing; we want to teach you guys anything and everything you want to learn.”
Having a medley of several different crafts was important to Moid. “I love sewing. I’ve dabbled in embroidery. I've tried cross stitch before, which is a different type of embroidery,” she said. “I don’t want to limit this to just two things when there’s so many more fiber arts that can be included.”
The club officers, including treasurer Tahreem Shah, a sophomore computer science major with graphic design and video game design minors, and secretary Ennie Conner, a junior English education major, also enjoy different types of textile arts and work alongside new members during meetings.
The club is beginner friendly and focused on building a community of crafters. So many students came to the first interest meeting this semester that the club had to relocate to accommodate everyone.
“We were not expecting that many people,” said Ravara. “I have been the one that’s facilitating all the newcomers. It’s very exciting to teach people how to start crocheting.”
The club has a mix of genders and there are currently 65 registered students listed on MyAUlife where information about the club’s upcoming events can be found.
Moid said, “I think the best part about our club too is that our knowledge amasses with how many members we have.”
A typical meeting starts with introductions, greeting new people and separating based on experience level.
“Our current idea is to separate people at different tables and have one of us helping at each table,” said Moid. Each table has supplies for club members to use.
“A good thing that we have from these meetings is all of our members actually have a product to have at the end of it,” said Ravara.
Another resource the club offers is its Discord with several playlists of beginner and intermediate tutorials. There are options for those who are left-handed as well as a place to ask questions, send pictures of successes, and even promote the Etsy shops or portfolios of ambitious members.
Interested students can stop by Campbell Lounge Room 1 in the CRS from 1:50-2:50 pm on Thursdays and follow the club on Instagram @arachnes_weavers_au. Moid said she is also sometimes available outside of club meetings.
“There’s a place in the library called the Innovation Center. I’m always there, and, if anyone sees me on campus, I usually have my crochet hooks on me. If they ever want to come up and they just want a mini lesson one on one, I’d be down for it.”
A busy schedule calls for a creative outlet and Arachne’s Weavers seamlessly weaves that role.
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