Two undergraduate students and one graduate assistant at the University of Connecticut Recovery Community crocheted and sewed a blanket that took two semesters to complete.
UConn students Kay Timmons, Ginger Royster and Leah Nelson are the main contributors for the blanket.
“It’s to make a nice blanket to contribute to the house that represents recovery,” said Timmons.
Cozy Crochet Corner began as a weekly meeting started by Royster to bring together a community of people who like crocheting.
“I started it to be a safe space to hangout, eat snacks, crochet and connect with people who have similar interests,” said Royster.
Over the past two semesters, more and more students joined the event, according to Royster.
“We have more people coming in, some people come and go, while some people just come to hangout,” said Royster.
For the past two semesters, Crochet Corner has taken place on Mondays from 12 to 1 p.m., but Royster said that is due to change next semester.
“For next semester I am going to send out a little survey to the people who come frequently and try to pick a time that most people can come,” said Royster.
They also added that if someone new wanted to join, they can also vote on the time and day.
“I have my email on the flyer that I put out so they can reach out to me, so they can vote on the day and time,” said Royster.
The navy blue, purple and white granny square blanket was the main project for the past two semesters.
“The hardest part of making the blanket is staying committed to it and being patient since we have been working on it for so long,” said Timmons.
Royster agreed with Timmons, saying, “The hardest part was staying motivated when making all the granny squares.”
There were “120 granny squares used to make the blanket across countless days of work,” according to Timmons and Royster.
The blanket is at the Cordial House, where the UConn Recovery Community is located. The house is located at 1332 Storrs Road, next to Sprague Residence Hall on East Campus.
According to Matt Gallup, the UConn Recovery interim coordinator, “The UConn Recovery Community is open to everyone, but we primarily exist to help students with recovery, whether you want full abstinence or harm reduction where you want to reduce the behavior. We are also open to allies who are people who want to help the community, and if they want to get involved or get help you can connect me at matthewgallup@uconn.edu or urc@uconn.edu.”
The UConn Recovery Community also has resources including “a drop-in center that offers community space, food, snacks, coaching space, and tele help room, meetings that include a 12-step program, smart recovery and all recovery,” according to Gallup.
“We offer a yoga session, recovery coaching with graduate assistants, pet therapy and substance free off campus activities which again you can take advantage of by getting in contact with myself or the UConn Recovery Community email,” added Gallup.