Crochet and Community: Moyo Odugbemi Hosts the First Weekend Lab at The Hatchery

When Moyo Odugbemi started crocheting again during the early days of the pandemic, she never would have thought it would become a community building tool as well as a way to support refugee mothers in Clarkston. Moyo is a Sophomore at Emory’s College of Arts and Sciences studying Human Health and Economics with a minor in Film and Media Studies. She is also on the pre-medical path and looking forward to a career as a primary health physician. Her first encounter with crocheting was in her Home Economics class while she attended high school in Nigeria.

Moyo started Crochet at Emory as Hatchery Inspiration Micro Grant recipient in Fall 2021. The nonprofit organization teaches crochet skills to Emory students to help them manage stress and make new friendships and produces homemade lap blankets to give refugee mothers a sense of welcome.  The blankets and other crocheted items are donated to Friends of Refugees in Clarkston through a partnership with Emory Center for Civic and Community Engagement.

As soon as she read about the Weekend Lab at The Hatchery, Moyo knew she wanted to apply. The Weekend Lab curates innovative events created by students, for students, hosted at The Hatchery. The program provides a small grant that the student can use to support the event, space and materials, and coaching from The Hatchery staff to maximize event success.  

“The Hatchery has always been my go-to for projects,” Moyo said. She mentioned she would use the grant money to buy supplies and help draw new people in to participate. Crochet at Emory hosted the very first Weekend Lab in the Hatchery’s makerspace on Saturday, April 2. With ten students at the event, Moyo was able to add to the crochet community as well as put together new donations.

“It’s a learning process,” Moyo said, offering advice to students just starting out in innovation. “You learn how to gather people and get them engaged. You just have to start. I did not think I would be an innovator, but there is always an opportunity to learn those skills.”

If you’d like to get involved with Crochet at Emory, follow their Instagram.  If you have an idea for a Weekend Lab, visit our SharePoint page for more information and to apply. Applications are open for Fall semester!