While leashing and hooking her yarn, Amanda Moi, junior, demonstrates crochet methods for her students sitting beside her, repeating the saying, “under and over the bridge.”
Her freshman year, Moi joined Crisis Response Teens (CReT), a local nonprofit that supports the community in situations such as natural disasters and donates to local hospitals. The organization helps 6 to 10 year olds develop skills through crochet.
Moi, now co-president of CReT, realized the organization would also allow her to work with volunteering programs while honing and sharing her artistic passion every Sunday at the First Free Church in Ballwin.
During crochet lessons, each high school volunteer is assigned to two students to train based on their current skill set, leading Moi to develop her teaching style.
“Crochet is so versatile, Everyone develops their own personal way of doing something,” Moi said. “Even if it doesn’t fit in the typical ‘guidelines’ or rules of crochet, if it works for you, it works for you.”
Moi said crocheting provides cognitive benefits for the students.
“As an organization, we thought it was a really good way for them to express themselves and have an interest like that as a hobby,” Moi said.
Moi said there are different ways in which they could teach students who are on different levels. They could start with basic chain methods, then move to crochet figures like jellyfish, then move on to larger, more structured items like flowers.
No matter the level, Dr. John Cole, pediatrician, said crochet can lead to patternized thinking and develop hand-eye coordination.
“You’re having to focus on it, you’re having to pay attention to what you’re doing,” Dr. Cole said. “It’s a repetitive motion, building muscle memory as well.”
Hobbies like crochet also promote beneficial habits for children as they develop fine motor skills, Dr. Cole said.
“Activities like crochet basically help them grow and develop those skills so that when they’re older, they’ll be able to do the most normal things that we all take for granted,” Dr. Cole said.
Dr. Cole said all forms of hobbies can develop childhood personality traits and benefit their mental health, naturally decreasing cortisol levels, a hormone in the body that leads to stressful symptoms.
Organizations such as CReT are appreciated by not only hospital staff, but patients too, Dr. Cole said.
“I encourage young people to be active in their community and to make sure that they are helping to make a positive difference in the lives of others,” Dr. Cole said. “I think that’s where we all really find fulfillment in life.”
Senior Maggie Tang, co-president of CReT, has been a part of CReT as a student, a teacher and now a president.
“I grew up with the club, alongside it,” Tang said. “So, it holds a special place in my heart. I love to crochet and I love being able to go out and meet new people because of it.”
Tang said CReT was established as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. It was made to combat the mask shortage and expanded to helping the local community and hospitals like Barnes Jewish Hospital through the sales of their crochet items.
“It’s crucial for us as high school students to have this outreach and these connections to benefit the community,” Tang said.
Tang said CReT sells their crochet designs to fund cancer research along with assisting with crisis situations, such as donating about $500 during the May St. Louis tornadoes. CReT has contributed more than $2,000 since 2023 for the St. Louis community.
Tang not only hopes to inspire younger students but also to gain a sense of protection for her students.
“They’re kids. I want to help them grow and improve,” Tang said. “I’m there when they need help, I want to be that support. They can look up to me.”
This story was originally published on Marquette Messenger on October 17, 2025.