One of the many clubs offered to the middle school students at Fair Grove is crochet club. Any student in middle school, grades 5th to 8th, may join since there is no screening against grades. Mrs. Anglen the club founder, who is also a teacher at Fair Grove, knows the benefits of crochet club sharing that, “Crochet club not only teaches a life-long skill, but also develops reading skills, especially following directions, and playing attention to details. Social skills are also naturally practiced as we work together on projects.”

In crochet club students learn the textile craft of crocheting, they will make items such as hats, booties, dish clothes, holiday items, Ipod socks, purses, locker organizers, and headbands. Veteran club members run the club, teaching the younger kids and deciding the schedule for meetings and lessons. Hailey Hulette (5th) a first time member talks about her reasons for joining crochet club, “I knit with a long loom and I was wondering how to crochet, then for Christmas I got a crochet kit so I thought it’d be fun.” Another new member to crochet club, Samantha Horvath (6th) says that she first knew how to finger crochet but wanted to learn how to hook crochet and decided to join. “I eventually want to make a sweater for my dog,” she added.

Crochet club is not only around to help students build life skills but Mrs. Anglen has a bigger picture in mind, “The goal is to enjoy a hobby, but also to provide a service. It is our goal to donate some of our items to NEWBORNS IN NEED, a program that makes sure premature babies leave the hospital with warm hats, booties, etc. We also like to provide opportunities for (club) members to learn from members in the community offering learning about this skill from generations older than us.” Brooke Heavin (7th), a veteran member to crochet club, commented, “Someday we want to get visitors in town to come and show us some new things.”

Sydney Dame (7th) a 3 year crochet club member and veteran says, “My favorite thing about crochet club is definitely making projects, spending time with my friends and favorite teachers but also teaching the new kids.” Crochet club is currently working on dish clothes before learning how to read patterns.

Mrs. Anglen hopes that within the next few meets they will be ready to start making baby hats for the NEWBORNS IN NEED program. A few of their finished pieces have been put on display in the Fair Grove Middle School/ High School library.