Knitting, sewing, spinning, lace-making, crocheting, weaving or simply crafting - the Fachhochschule Dortmund's handicraft club has been meeting regularly on the first Thursday of the month for over a year. New members are always welcome.
Up to a dozen employees of the university meet at the Sonnenstraße campus in the cozy meeting room of the Staff Council for Technology and Administration (Building B, Room -118). "It's all about doing handicrafts together, exchanging ideas and, of course, learning something from the others," says Annika Zemke from the Faculty of Applied Social Studies. She organizes the handicraft meeting together with Ute Wiengarn from University IT. Ute Wiengarn is considered the expert par excellence in the needlework team and is on hand with advice, words of encouragement and lots of tips and tricks.
Every first Thursday of the month from 3 to 5 p.m., the team knits, sews and crafts. "Everyone is welcome and attendance is not compulsory," emphasizes Ute Wiengarn. It doesn't matter whether you are a beginner, advanced or expert. Anyone can bring their own project or be inspired. "The focus is on the community."
Exciting exchange with colleagues
Although the handicraft meeting is a leisure activity and takes place outside of working hours, it is of course also about the job from time to time. "And this exchange is fantastic," says Jelena Waschke from the Faculty of Business Studies. "It's simply exciting to find out what projects our colleagues are working on." Annika Zemke reports that the interdisciplinary contacts have also paid off more often in everyday working life, simply because they already know each other better.
Incidentally, handicrafts are not only good exercise for the fingers, but also for the mind. Knitting is considered an effective anti-stress hobby. And: "There are studies that show that people who knit while listening are better able to remember what is said," says Ute Wiengarn. When working by hand, both hemispheres of the brain are activated, which leads to increased concentration. Annika Zemke can only confirm this. "Whenever possible, I always knit during lectures," she says. "The needlework itself happens all by itself, so I can concentrate fully on the spoken word." A Canadian study has also shown that needlework can increase mental well-being. All good reasons to join in. The next meeting on December 5, 2024 will be held under the motto "Making Christmas presents".
- When: every first Thursday of the month from 3 to 5 pm
- Where: Campus Sonnenstraße, House B, Room -118
- Who: anyone who enjoys handicrafts.