Hands-On Happiness
Gen Z has had a lot of “hands-on” fun! Pottery and crochet have become particularly popular among young people as ways to self-express, de-stress, make money, and connect with others.
Pottery
A practice involving molding clay on a spinning wheel and then hardening it in a kiln, pottery making can be relaxing and even therapeutic. It can also be fun and have longlasting value. More and more Gen Z are interested in pottery as a hobby that is both enjoyable and productive. Bowls, plates, cups, vases, jewelry dishes, decorations, or even miniature statues are made with clay. Items can be painted with a variety of colors and may become artwork that the potter keeps for themself, gives away, sells, or proudly displays.
On TikTok, pottery has become especially popular. Gen Z creators will tell stories while shaping clay on the wheel, carving the object they have created, or painting their newly formed creation. Some will also teach pottery methods and techniques on social media. It has become a way for Gen Z to express themselves publicly and artistically as well as connect with audiences who may be drawn to the aesthetics of the videos.
Pottery is also quite popular on college campuses. My school has a pottery co-op where students have access to materials like clay, a wheel, and a kiln so they can make their own pottery. Students sell their pottery at events like “Empty Mugs” where proceeds are donated to Oberlin Community Services which assists low-income individuals with access to food and other resources.
Photo: Oberlin Pottery Instagram
Crochet
What is it?
Crochet originally comes from a type of chain-stitch embroidery. Crochet involves a hook rather than a needle which allows a person to create chains and loops with yarn. In the 1840s, the practice was used in Ireland to mitigate the consequences of a famine. Over time, crochet became more complex in technique and pattern.
There are different kinds of crochet knots and stitches that are used to make various intricate designs. Resources including articles and videos are available online to help beginners learn how to crochet.
Where do people crochet?
People crochet wherever they feel like it! Locations could include their own homes, nature, public places, and even educational spaces! Some students even bring their crochet to class when they’re listening to lectures. On social media, people proudly share the items they have crocheted and some even use different social platforms to advertise products for sale they have made. At my college, I see people bring their crochet to places where they can keep their hands busy and listen to conversation or speakers. At art markets within the community or school people sell their crocheted items too.
What Can You Make?
Many many things can be crocheted, from animals to accessories! Crocheters make clothing, bookmarks, blankets, rugs, and even miniature hot air balloons. If you can think it, you can make it!
Vocabulary List:
Therapeutic (adjective): Soothing, healing
Potter (noun): Someone who makes pottery
Aesthetics (noun): The way something looks or appears
Kiln (noun): Similar to an oven, used to harden clay
Mitigate (verb): To reduce
Famine (noun): A severe lack of food
Chain-stitch embroidery (noun): A pattern resembling a chain used by those who sew designs onto material
Technique (noun): A way of doing something
Intricate (adjective): Detailed
Proceeds (noun): Money that comes from selling items
Crocheters (noun): People who crochet
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Phoebe McChesney is a student at Oberlin College in the United States, majoring in Politics. She has interned in the U.S. House of Representatives and served as a Page in the U.S. Senate. Phoebe would love to work in Congress, with a federal agency, or on foreign policy and international relations one day. She is a blogger for her college and is interested in America House Kyiv’s Ukraine-American work.
