Crafters convene to sew connection

MORE than a dozen people stitched, knitted, and sewed around a central table at Eureka Hall over the weekend as part of a new monthly crafting group’s first meetup.

The group, called Cozy Craft Dates Ballarat, is set to continue meeting each month at a different location with the aim of providing a creative space for social connection.

Convenor and founder Ashleigh Ozols has been crafting for at least a decade and said she’s seeking a friendly face-to-face environment for her hobby.

“I wanted this to be a place where people can come with whatever they want as a way to make friends especially after COVID where people have been a lot more isolated than they’re used to,” she said.

“I know I can find it hard to interact with people and I can get quite anxious so it’s about putting myself out there and meeting new people as well.”

The Facebook group attracted more than 200 people within its first 24 hours and currently has more than 300 members.

Prior to establishing Cozy Craft Dates Ballarat, Ozols regularly met with a cross-stitching group in Cardigan Village before the pandemic.

She said she was pleasantly surprised by the response to the new group.

“I think everyone’s really enjoying themselves,” she said. “I’ve been able to teach them some crochet stuff and everyone’s really lovely.

“I definitely think there’s been a need for this and everyone here’s been saying as such. I’m hoping we can even arrange more frequent meetings if there’s more interest.”

Lisa Goodson was at work on a chevron blanket for her daughter during the group’s first session.

As a mother of two she said the meetup has given her a social outlet.

“This is great because I get to talk to people more and have that mental health break. To get that social interaction and make new friends has been good,” she said.

“I’ve been working with craft for about 20 years and this is probably the first time I’ve really been part of a craft group.”