Northwestern students are wearing custom-made winter accessories thanks to some budding knitters and crocheters on campus.
Junior Laura Ecklund started knitting last year at the beginning of the fall semester.
“I had a girl in the dorm teach me,” Ecklund said. “It was frustrating at first. I wanted to be really good at it, but it took some time to learn.”
Ecklund started out making items for just family and friends, but later moved on to start a little “business” after several people requested hand-made items from her.
“I have made 60 headbands so far this winter,” Ecklund said. “It was awesome to get to know new people. I started to get input from people on styles, colors, and a fair price.”
Ecklund sells her headbands starting at $10. The price can go up to $14 depending on the yarn and the complexity of the project.
After graduating, Ecklund plans on opening her own “Etsy” shop to sell her crafts and materials.
Last year, girls from Fern third south knitted and crocheted items for a service project.
“We crocheted and donated the items,” Ecklund said. “I made a headband and gave it to Zestos.”
Even Ecklund’s boyfriend became interested in these hand-made items.
Ecklund said that she has had a strange crocheting request from her boyfriend.
“Jake really wanted a three-piece suit to wear to winter formal,” Ecklund said. “I denied him because it would have been itchy and uncomfortable. It would have taken me forever, and I didn’t want to go with him wearing it.”
Ecklund said she likes to crochet during class.
“I am being productive while being productive,” Ecklund said. “It helps me pay attention.”
Freshman Deidra Vander Woude has been crocheting since she was in seventh grade.
“My best friend’s grandma was teaching her, so we both wanted to learn together,” Vander Woude said.
Vander Woude said she enjoys making items for people. She will make any item as long as they buy the yarn.
In the past, women have been traditional scarf wearers, but even the men on campus are picking up on the idea. Vander Woude recently made a “man scarf” for sophomore Kyle Newendorp.
“It was kind of hard because I had to use a new pattern, crochet the scarf longer and use a good color,” Vander Woude said.
Newendorp said the scarf keeps him warm on NW’s cold campus.
“The scarf protects my neck from the cold,” Newendorp said. “I also like that it doesn’t have a tag. I know the person that made it, so it’s more personal. It’s cool to wear something that was made just for me.”
Newendorp has recently taken a trip to Germany where he noticed the style difference between European and American men.
“All the guys had their hair gelled with nice shoes and scarves,” Newendorp said. “I thought a scarf was something I might like to try.”
