Inspiring Story – Community Through Crafting

Every Monday, since the start of January this year, at the Senior Planet Center in Plattsburgh, older adult crafters gather for a crochet and fiber arts discussion group. The group quickly became tight-knit (no pun intended), through their shared love of learning new crafts, sharing projects and supporting one another.  

We spoke with participant, Mary Lavorando (71) and Jess Fortin, the Senior Planet Center Manager in North Country, about how they are using crafts to foster community and creativity way up north. 

How’d you get involved in the crochet and fiber arts group? 

JF: I am a crafty person, and several of my regular participants had mentioned that putting together a craft group like this would be a great way for them to get together in a community building manner. 

ML: I learned to crochet when I was a kid, but I never really did anything with it. For years, my creativity came through cooking. So, it’s just nice to have a little something different now. For instance, I have young grandchildren, so I made them winter hats to match their coats.   

One of the members recently brought up to the group that the hospital is looking for crocheted octopuses for the preemies, where the tentacles are made in a spiral pattern. The babies have little, tiny fingers and can actually grab the tentacles to sooth themselves. So we’re going to do that next! 

What makes this group special? 

ML: We all bring whatever project we are working on and we get help from each other. Also, we all look out for each other; it’s a very social group. I look forward to connecting with these other people that I probably would never see otherwise. I mean – who looks forward to Mondays? I do. 

JF: I love to see the sense of community grow within the group, and how close of friends most have become!  There is a fabulous feel of support among them, with their crafting and life in general. 

How can people join this group? 

JF: Feel free to stop by the Senior Planet center in Plattsburg any Monday at 11:45am and join us – any skill level is welcome! We provide hooks and yarn to those who are learning (and are always accepting donations of either in the center). We welcome anyone who would like to learn, to refresh their skills, or even just someone wanting to join for a sense of community! 

The Crotchet and Fiber Arts Group meets every Monday at 11:45am in Plattsburgh, NY. Click here for details! 

Photo: Jess Fortin

Pam Hugi is Senior Planet’s Community and Advocacy Manager. Based in Brooklyn, she is a contributing writer for this site.