| This thesis reveals how a crochet project facilitated an increase in social interaction and empowered a group of women during a time of homelessness. It illustrates how women who had lost belief in themselves gained self-esteem as they realized the ability to learn a new skill and create something of beauty. An assortment of other benefits, especially physiological changes experienced by the women, are also explored.; The women who took part in this project lived lives full of trauma. Along with poverty and homelessness, they faced numerous problems: domestic violence, addiction, isolation, and mental illness. Few felt that they had control over their lives.; Crochet was something they could control, something that made them feel competent, and gave them pleasure. Most of the women reported that crochet was a very calming activity that offered them some respite from worry and anxiety. Through this medium they realized their own beauty, creativity, and strength.; This study was qualitative in nature, documenting the lives of four women over the course of a year and a half. A case study format was used. |
