THREADING Connections

Handmade crafts are seeing a unique resurgence with Millennials and Gen Z, who are building vibrant online and offline communities around crochet, knitting and tufting

- POOJA DAS

A meditative state can manifest in various ways. For some, it's found within literary worlds and characters. For others, it's in the harmony of musical notes or the rhythmic flow of dance. For Lakshitha NM, a digital marketing professional, it lies in the quiet, repetitive motion of crocheting – a skill she picked up nearly a decade ago. Little did she know that it would lead her to build an entirely new community.

"During COVID, I started visiting Cubbon Park to unwind. One day, I brought my crochet project along and met someone who was knitting. Honestly, we both thought no one else was doing this 'granny's hobby' anymore!" she laughs. This chance meeting eventually inspired the creation of Cubbon Knits. "We've been meeting every Saturday for about a year. As people saw us, others joined in. It became a space for knitting, crocheting, or practicing any kind of fabric art," she explains. Lakshitha believes social media has played a key role in breaking stereotypes around such hobbies. "It has helped people rediscover these crafts. Previously, people quietly pursued them at home, thinking they were just for older generations. Now, with communities like ours, people realize they're not alone," she adds.