Muhlenberg has a variety of clubs pertaining to crafting on campus, such as the Jewelry Making Club and the knitting club called the Knitwits. Both clubs have been welcoming students on campus for years: the Knitwits have been around for over eight years, and the Jewelry Making Club was founded in the spring semester of 2015.

Anyone is welcome in either club, even if they’ve never knitted or created jewelry before.

“The Knitwits Club meets once a week to knit, crochet and just hang out with one another,” explained Rebekka Broyles ‘22, Knitwits Secretary. “People come regardless of their knitting/needlework experience. I for one did not know how to crochet until the current president Heather Chapman [‘20] taught me how to at a meeting. In addition to meetings, we have knitting sales where we raise money for a variety of different charities by selling our creations.”

Similarly, the veteran members of the Jewelry Making Club and their faculty advisor, Karen Norman, are always willing to teach new members techniques. 

“Knitwits have helped shape me into the friendly knitting, crocheting and yarn-loving student I am today”

“We work with three different types of metal: nickel silver, brass and copper,” Jewelry Making Club member Haley Lester ‘20 explained. “We saw metal into the desired shape, sand and file away the imperfections and solder metal pieces together to provide our creations with [dimension]. We can make any jewelry piece we want, including pendants, bracelets, rings and earrings. In a recent semester, we had the opportunity to expand into stone setting. Since we began using stones, there have been a plethora of ideas of how to incorporate them into our projects, including pendants and brooches.”

The community in both clubs attracts students from all around campus. Broyles explains that the Knitwits have created a great sense of community for members and an atmosphere of acceptance. 

“Last year, I hardly knew how to knit, and everyone welcomed me into the club with open arms and from that I met some of my closest friends,” said Broyles. “I distinctly remember our club bonding trip to Grimm’s Orchard because all of the Knitwits got together and picked apples and talked about the things we were knitting. Knitwits have helped shape me into the friendly knitting, crocheting and yarn-loving student I am today.”

In addition to creating a welcoming atmosphere, the Knitwits draw in those students that want to get involved on campus in a constructive and rewarding way.

“Last year, I hardly knew how to knit, and everyone welcomed me into the club with open arms and from that I met some of my closest friends”

“Muhlenberg students enjoy knitting because many people feel the need to be productive and get involved in many things,” said Broyles. “Knitting is an easy thing to do on the go or even when you are watching a movie. For me, knitting helps me to feel like I am being productive even when I am resting on the weekends.”

Broyles explained how Knitwits’ flexibility makes the club especially welcoming.

“Members can come and go as they please to exchange knitting needles, grab some yarn, learn different techniques or simply catch up with friends,” she said.

Similarly, Lester described the way the Jewelry Club acts as a social space in addition to learning new skills.

“My favorite thing about Jewelry Club is meeting new members who are excited about learning how to create their own jewelry,” said Lester. “I think students enjoy making jewelry and being involved because we each get to put our own spin on the projects and the veteran members are always willing to help newer members with any part of their piece of work.”

These two clubs are always open to welcoming new members and the Jewelry Making Club meets every Friday from 2:30-4:30 pm in CA 184, and the Knitwits meet Mondays from 7-8 pm in the GQ Annex.

Photo: Cole Geissler ‘21 and Corinne Battistelli ‘22 at a Knitwits sale, Credit:Heather Chapman

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