On a recent December night, a group of two dozen 20-somethings gathered at a coffee shop in Bushwick for their knitting and crochet circle.
“I’m probably doing a bookmark for my dad for Christmas,” said 24-year-old Crasianne Tirado.
Marco Michel, 23, was also crocheting a gift: a handcrafted beanie.
“One day, my goal is to have a closet of all clothes I handmade,” she said.
The group was gathered around a tiny table in the back corner of a coffee shop called Nook. One member was making a funky scarf. Another was hard at work on a striped hat.
For many, the “Magic Circle” is about so much more than fiber arts — it’s a way to make New York City feel a little smaller, a little more like home.
Raul Taunay, a 26-year-old member, moved to Bushwick last summer. When he walked past Nook, he was enticed by the motley crew of young knitters.
He had never knit before, so he spent the weekend shopping for yarn and browsing YouTube tutorials.
A year later, despite moving to Bed-Stuy, he still returns most Mondays. He said it’s to see the people.
“Everyone’s super friendly — and everyone’s soft, just like the yarn,” he said.
Gillian Harrill, 23, spent the night crocheting a sweater, complete with a colorful spiral which she fondly referred to as a “cyclops eye.”
She said that her generation — and modern society in general — is missing a third place that isn’t just home or work.
“For some people, that’s a gym or a bar, but I think this is another really healthy way to express yourself and learn a new skill while also making new friends,” said Harrill.
Her interest in crocheting began during the pandemic, when the trend exploded across social media, as many in Gen-Z moved away from fast fashion and sought activities they could do at home.
She, too, taught herself by watching videos online.
Still, she prefers the company of others.
“After a while you’re like, OK, I kind of want to share this with someone.”
The group was founded in February 2021 by…
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