Craft therapy offered prior to midterms

By Guilianna Laurain

Crafts for a Cause provided students with a creative sanctuary during their stitch therapy event on Thursday, March 6. The gathering welcomed both seasoned crafters and curious beginners seeking respite from academic pressures.

“We’re an on-campus club that serves as an outlet for students to de-stress,” Secretary Samantha Ward said. 

The event had a thoughtful approach to inclusivity. Experienced crafters brought ongoing projects and beginners explored new creative avenues using supplies provided by the club. Those less interested in fiber arts could opt for adult coloring books, offering a similarly meditative experience. 

The event was free of charge, with registration available through Cardinal Link.

To enhance the welcoming atmosphere, the club provided complimentary pizza, allowing students to enjoy refreshments while they crafted in a communal setting. The combination of creativity, comfort food and community created an ideal environment for stress relief.

Stitch therapy represents just one facet of the club’s diverse programming. Throughout the semester, Crafts for a Cause has organized various creative gatherings. These gatherings  include vision board workshops where students visualize their goals through collage-style art, and sessions teaching embroidery techniques through bookmark creation.

These initiatives recognize a crucial truth about student wellness. The relentless demands of coursework, deadlines and exams makes breaks for self-care and creative expression not luxuries but necessities. 

By providing both the physical space and supportive community for creative exploration, Crafts for a Cause helps students maintain balance during the most challenging periods of the academic calendar.

For many participants, the simple act of working with their hands–whether knitting, crocheting, or coloring–offered a therapeutic counterpoint to the primarily digital and theoretical work of their studies, making stitch therapy a timely and valuable campus resource. 

With the demands of coursework, deadlines, and exams, opportunities to de-stress can be invaluable. Events like stitch therapy remind students that taking time for themselves is just as important as their academic responsibilities.