Student’s hobby turns into creative wardrobe

By Jasmine Enriquez Martinez

Contributor

As a kid, Corianna Chauncy remembers watching in awe as her friend, who lived with her family at the time, carefully crocheted rag rugs. Observing each stitch, Chauncy said she felt a spark of inspiration that led to her own unique crochet pieces. 

“I wanted to be like her,” said Chauncy, a senior creative writing major. “I was like, that’s so cool, so I made the rugs.” 

Crocheting became more than just a hobby for Chauncy. It became a passion. After learning one stitch as a kid, her projects became more elaborate as she continued to teach herself through YouTube videos, but it was not until college her hobby became a form of self-expression.

Today, about 10 percent of Chauncy’s closet includes crochet, and this collection continues to grow.

“In college, I started making more clothes,” said Chauncy.

While in college, Chauncy said she has used patterns found online to create her outfits.

Chauncy laughs when she reflects on her first attempt at free-hand crochet. 

Her creative efforts in crocheting a shirt started with what she would consider an ugly tube shape, but eventually, Chauncy found a way to make it work. 

“It was so ugly,” said Chauncy. “I made a shirt for the first time this summer that I free-handed, and I was really proud of that.”

While Chauncy works on most of her crocheting projects during breaks, she tries to find a way to incorporate her hobby while in school.

“If I can find a project that is easy to do, I’ll do it sometimes during class or listening to audiobooks,” said Chauncy. 

Autumn Brown, a junior English literature major, works at the writing center with Chauncy, and she said she is often drawn to Chauncy’s patchwork skirts and berets. 

Along with admiring her style, Brown said she feels inspired to try out new hobbies like crochet.

“We’re all trying to save money,” said Brown. “If she can make her own clothes, I can make my own clothes.”

Like many college students, Chauncy also feels the need to save money when the holidays come by.

“I like making those as gifts,” said Chauncy. “The weeks leading up to Christmas, I’m making five different projects.”

Chauncy finds most of her inspiration for her outfits by looking through Pinterest and finding new ways to incorporate her crocheted pieces. 

One of her favorite things to crochet is vests, and she said she tries to fit them into her outfits creatively.

“I like more vintage styles,” said Chauncy. “The first clothing item I made of crochet was a vest that was supposed to be from the ‘70s, and that kind of inspired me.”

Chauncy’s vintage look does not go unnoticed. 

“She’s so whimsical, and she’s so cool, and she’s so sure of herself,” said Brown. “Her style 100 percent reflects that.” 

Whenever given a chance, Chauncy said she lets people know she crafted her clothes herself, as she refuses to let people believe they are from just any store.

“I am definitely one of those people who when someone compliments my outfit I respond with, ‘Thanks, I made it,'” said Chauncy.