Crocheting has got Gen-Z HOOKED

BY SKYLIE MOLINA

THE MIRROR STAFF

Isolated, lonely and bored during quarantine, she sat in her room searching for something to do, something to keep her hands occupied. Out of the corner of her eye, junior Anait Atkozyan spotted some vibrant red yarn peeking out at her.

Taking the hook from the dresser, she began to tie knots and shape the yarn. After fiddling around with the material for two hours, she had made a beanie.

During the period of isolation brought upon by the pandemic, many students found interest in a particular activity that has been increasing in popularity over the past year: crocheting. This new hobby captivated teens across the country by reducing their stress and clearing their mind, and is continuing to do so.

With the resurgence of Y2K fashion pandemic.

As a result of viral TikToks and easy-to-follow tutorials, more teens have become interested in crocheting as a hobby. Regaining interest through TikTok, Atkozyan learned how to make a variety of figurines and articles of clothing.

“I think crocheting has grown in popularity over the past year because of how social media has really spread the art of it,” she said. “I think it’s amazing because people start to develop more hobbies.”

Her obsession with the activity eventually motivated her to start her own small business on Depop called Stitched by Anna. Since August of 2021, she has been crocheting a variety of items, including figurines and clothing accessories, which range in price from about $16 to $40.

Whether it be a hobby or a business endeavor, crocheting also helps teens cope with stress, as junior Dhara Patel explains. When under stress, she crochets as a means of escaping from reality, even if just for a short while.

“It helps me to get my mind off things determination and a positive attitude, it is possible to create cute accessories as well as masterpieces.

“When you are making something on your own and you are doing it for yourself or for someone else, it has more of a personal connection too, since you are hand-making it,” Patel said.

In addition to providing a personal touch to projects, crocheting allows for creativity when personalizing your wardrobe. Crocheted tops and dresses are integrating themselves more into teens’ wardrobes.

“My favorite thing about crocheting is creating my own accessories, such as beanies and bags, to go with my outfits,” Atkozyan said.

It has been reported that crocheting also has some mental health benefits.

According to a study conducted by the American Counseling Association, 81 percent of participants with depression reported feeling happier after crocheting.

For beginners, it is recommended to start with flat patterns, like those used to make scarves.

Like any art form, crocheting comes with its fair share of challenges.

“The most challenging part about crocheting would be trying to follow a complex pattern with confusing directions,” she said.

Atkozyan has some pro tips that have helped her through her crocheting journey.

“Keep going and trust the process,” she said. “Although it can be frustrating at times