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At Under the Stars, we empower our artists to express their ideas through music, drama, and dance. But even our most passionate and talented artists need a break. It was during one of these breaks that the Crochet Club first began.

In 2024, Sophia, a member of our all-female ensemble, the Sparkle Sistaz, brought along a project she was working on, marking the first stitch at Under the Stars.

Sophia had been learning to crochet with one of her support workers at home. When her support worker left, she had no one to teach her and really missed it. She mentioned this to Julia, one of our managers, who is also an avid crocheter. Julia suggested that if Sophia brought in her project, she’d give her some help during the Sparkle Sistaz lunch break.

The next Thursday, Julia brought her hooks and a big bag of yarn and spent lunchtime sitting with Sophia and the other interested members of the Sparkle Sistaz keen to have a go. Katie had done a bit of crochet already, and Kathryn was eager to try.

Before long, that single stitch had become a chain, and the Crochet Club became a regular Thursday lunchtime activity.

“Our Sparkle Sistaz are just so creative and imaginative that it’s not really a surprise they found a way to bring something extra to their time at Under the Stars,” Julia adds. “They even take their crochet to their other day services now!  It’s such a great way to be mindful and get a bit of peace on a busy day."

The club members have produced scarves, bags, granny squares, and blankets galore since they started learning.

“I’m working on finishing a bag,” says Sophia. “I’m just doing the handle now. I’ve made a bumblebee teddy before, but my sister stole it off me!” That her creations are so covetable speaks to how accomplished these crocheters have become over the space of 12 months.

“I’m making a baby blanket,” says Kathryn with a big smile. “My brother’s partner is having a baby soon, a little girl. And I’m also making a hat for my mum, to match the scarf I made for her last year.”

This is a brilliant side effect of being part of a creative community. The Sparkle Sistaz have always been a colourful bunch of characters, but they get more colourful every week with their beautiful crochet creations.

Under the Stars is certainly not known for its yarncraft, but the Crochet Club has really added value to our artists experience at Under the Stars.