Community & Craft: An Introduction to KnitWits
Graduate school can be a transitional period marked by both personal growth and new challenges. Support and peer connections are vital throughout the graduate journey, yet neither are concentrated in one easily found place. KnitWits emerged as a welcoming crafting group in answer to the need for social connection, additionally offering a creative outlet and a moment of calm amid academic demands. Founded in 2016, the group has grown into a consistent and supportive space for graduate students and alumni to de-stress, learn new skills, and share experiences. To learn more about its origins and evolution, we interviewed KnitWits founder Paula Karger and long-time member Sophia Schreckenbach.
KnitWits was created by Paula in 2016 while she was a graduate student at the University of Toronto (UofT) as a way to foster community among fellow graduate students through crafting. After completing her degree, Paula worked in university administration before becoming an Assistant Professor at the Department of Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin American Studies. Sophia, a graduate of UofT’s Masters of Science program in Environmental Chemistry and current PhD student at Laval University, joined KnitWits just before the COVID-19 pandemic. Although she attended only one in-person meeting before everything moved online, the group’s immediate and seamless transition to virtual meetings allowed her to remain connected and, later, participate regularly from Quebec City.
Dessert, yarn, and good company! KnitWits stepped out for a creative gathering.
Crafting Through Transitions
KnitWits began as an in-person group at the former Grad Room, where Paula combined her love of knitting with a desire to build community among graduate students. She noticed that when events were framed as purely social, people sometimes felt hesitant or less comfortable attending. Offering a shared activity made it easier for attendees to participate, unwind, and connect. Over time, Paula realized that KnitWits was very constructive for grad students as it allowed them to “have a community space, a project that actually ends, and be able to relax a bit and get support from each other.” This structure worked well, but had to change when the COVID-19 pandemic moved everything online. While the shift posed challenges, it also increased access to members outside Toronto, which became especially important as members graduated and moved from Toronto to pursue their subsequent studies and careers.
“KnitWits was one of the constant things in life,” Sophia reflected, describing how the group remained a source of connection through academic transitions and pandemic uncertainty. Moving online brought changes in membership, activity structure, and participation style. Helping beginners learn remotely was a challenge, but the group adapted: members shared tutorials, showed techniques on camera, and supported each other through each stitch. KnitWits has continued to meet virtually every week, creating a rhythm that many members now rely on.
When Paula transitioned to faculty member, her teaching schedule limited her ability to facilitate KnitWits sessions. In response, the group adjusted its meeting times and shared facilitation duties. This shift marked a new phase of shared responsibility and mutual support among members, which Paula appreciated. “It became much more collaborative in terms of the organization”, she said, noting how KnitWits moved away from hierarchical structures common in student groups.
More recently, collaborations with the Graduate Students’ Mental Health Caucus (Grad Minds) during the 2024-2025 school year brought fresh energy to KnitWits and expanded its reach. Three co-hosted events—Haunted Hooks: Halloween Crochet Workshop (October 2024), Winter Threads: A Knitting Experience (February 2025), and Craft Buffet: DIY Drop-In Night (June 2025)—welcomed new crafters and reintroduced in-person gatherings. These hands-on sessions were especially helpful for beginners, who appreciated the opportunity to learn in a supportive, interactive environment. Over time, the group has also expanded beyond knitting. “KnitWits started predominantly as a knitting group,” Paula explained, “but we’ve gradually had more and more people join who do different crafts.” Crochet, embroidery, cross-stitch, beading, and Shrinky Dink projects are just some of the many varied arts practiced by group members; this diversity has fueled lighthearted pranks and jokes, such as a playful rivalry between sewing and knitting. Sophia, an avid embroiderer and cross-stitcher, often changes her Zoom name to “SewingWits” when she facilitates the group meeting, thereby promoting her primary crafting interest and poking fun at Paula by implying a sewing coup of the purported knitting group. Such friendly humour is part of the supportive fabric of the group.
A cozy moment from “Winter Threads: A Knitting Experience”! Featuring a handmade heart by Emilie using a pattern by @studioknit on Instagram.
Wellbeing Through Making
Crafting offers more than just a creative outlet; it can support mental wellness, connection, and a sense of balance. Both Paula and Sophia highlighted the benefits of having a regular space for creativity and community. Whether it's knitting, crocheting, embroidery, or another hands-on project, the repetitive motions of crafting can be grounding and meditative. “It’s a break from staring at computers and reading all the time,” Paula noted. “Once you’re comfortable, you kind of get into the zone, and it’s really relaxing.”
Weekly KnitWits sessions offer members a chance to unwind, refocus, and enjoy the satisfaction of creating something with their hands. The group’s consistent rhythm provides a sense of ease and routine. “Even if all you do is come to KnitWits for an hour or two on Mondays,” Sophia said, “that’s still an hour or two where you’re not doing your research and you’re doing something different. You’re giving yourself a bit of a break.” For many, crafting brings a sense of progress that complements the longer timelines of academic work. As Sophia explained, “When you’re crafting, you get the satisfaction of seeing visible progress on something and actually finishing a project.” KnitWits helps cultivate that feeling, while also encouraging creativity, balance, and shared joy.
A crochet doll of double Nobel laureate Marie Curie, made by Paula using a pattern from Crochet Iconic Women: Amigurumi Patterns for 15 Women Who Changed the World by Carla Mitrani.
Support Through Shared Experience
KnitWits fosters an environment where members can speak openly about the realities of graduate school. Paula noted that conversations often touch on challenges like navigating research projects, relationships with supervisors, or getting stuck on writing. By sharing these experiences, members support one another through the more complex and isolating aspects of academic life. With members from a range of disciplines, there’s often someone who can offer a helpful suggestion or resource. While KnitWits is not designed as a networking group, Sophia pointed out that “people know of some resources that are able to help someone else,” and that sense of shared understanding brings comfort and connection. One instance of sharing—in this case, a contact with helpful knowledge—brought especially unexpected results, as the initial conversation has now developed into a larger, collaborative project meant for publication.
From the moment someone joins KnitWits, they are warmly welcomed regardless of crafting experience. Both Paula and Sophia emphasize that there are no expectations for skill level or participation. As Sophia put it, “you’re more than welcome to join even if you’re not crafting.” Members are encouraged to ask questions, whether about choosing a beginner-friendly pattern or trying out a new technique, and others are always willing to offer guidance and encouragement. This inclusive, friendly atmosphere helps build the strong sense of community that defines KnitWits.
A little piece of Canada in bracelet form! These macrame creations by Daisy were made for an international conference to share a touch of home with new friends.
Advice for Builders, Hopes for the Future
Reflecting on her experience, Paula offers advice for students hoping to start their own community-based group. She emphasizes the importance of patience, noting that it can take time to build a consistent and cohesive community. “It’s 2025 and I started this group in 2016,” she said, “In the beginning, people would join for a semester or a year and then move on, often because they were on exchange, graduated, got jobs, or relocated. So it took several years before a stable group really formed.” She also encourages new organizers to find collaborators. “It’s so helpful to have more people who are contributing,” Paula noted, especially since organizing events can be time consuming. Most of all, she recommends simply continuing: “Keep going,” she said, because these kinds of initiatives really do make a difference for graduate students.
Looking ahead, both Paula and Sophia hope KnitWits continues to thrive and grow. They’re excited about the potential for more themed in-person events and even a possible field trip to the Textile Museum of Canada in Toronto. They also hope to welcome new members through upcoming events on campus. As Paula reflected, KnitWits has “already exceeded my expectations” of what the group could become. With a close-knit community and crafted support for grad students, there’s every reason to believe it will continue to flourish.
Forever in bloom and zero upkeep! These charming crochet plants were made by Sophia using patterns by @emmavarnam and @amy_gaines on Instagram.
Want to join a session, learn more, or see what the group is working on? Here’s where to find KnitWits online and stay connected:
📍 KnitWits Web Page
🔗 KnitWits Zoom Link (Mondays at 8:00 PM)
@gradknitwits (KnitWits group)
@gradminds (Graduate Students' Mental Health Caucus)
🌐 Grad Minds Website
📧 Contact Us
For questions or to get involved, reach out at: mentalhealth@utgsu.ca