Knitting has become remarkably popular at Trinity College, with the Knitting Society, known as Knit Soc, boasting an impressive 500 active members. Their weekly Wednesday “Stitch and Bitch” sessions, held in the Elizabeth Room in Teach a sé, consistently draw more than 50 members who come together to knit and socialise. Larger events like their 24 hour Knitathon see an even greater turnout.
Knit Soc was founded as a place to relax, engage in crafting and escape from academic stress. “There’s a wonderful sense of community at Knitting Society,” said one committee member. “We have undergraduates, postgraduates, and staff at our events, and we welcome all skill levels.” The society attributes a large part of its success to the calming and therapeutic nature of knitting, which helps people slow down in today’s fast-paced digital world. “It encourages people to put down their phones, and it provides opportunities to meet new people.” The committee also credits the rise of slow fashion and sustainability for knitting’s resurgence among students.
Knit Soc is committed to reaching a broader audience, both within Ireland and around the world. They have collaborated with other societies, including DU Gamers, where members made dice bags, and Circus Society, where participants made their own hacky sacks. Their most recent collaboration was with the Eastern European Society, where participants learned Polish cross-stitch and Hungarian embroidery. The group is also involved in charity work, collaborating with the Red Cross and hosting a fundraiser for Ukraine.
“Craft is a way to connect with the whole world,” shared the committee. “Everyone wears clothes, and every culture embellishes them”.
The Irish Traditional Music Society (Trad Soc) is also experiencing a surge in popularity, attracting a growing number of both Irish and international students. The society has gained wider recognition on campus, particularly after the Trad Band’s impressive performance at Trinity Ball 2024.
“It’s great to see the interest in trad music extending beyond Ireland,” shared the committee. Trad Soc attributes this increased interest to the broader cultural moment Ireland is enjoying. Thanks to artists like Kneecap and The Mary Wallopers, and especially trad music with Ye Vagabonds opening for Phoebe Bridgers andHozier’s The Humours of Whiskey, Irish music is seeing an extended moment in the spotlight. “It is a fantastic way to connect with Irish culture, sharing tunes and songs with history and poetry behind them. We all learn from each other and have formed a sense of community” shared Trad Soc.
The society welcomes students from all year groups and all abilities. “Some first-years get stuck in from day one, while others join in their final year,” Affraic from the Tradsoc committee added. Beyond Wednesday’s trad sessions at 8pm in Chaplin’s, the society runs a wide variety of events, including recitals, céilithe and tune classes to learn traditional staples like The Sailor’s Bonnet, The Golden Stud, and The Millhouse. Trad Soc emphasises that Irish traditional music is for everyone, regardless of age or background. “It’s not just musicians in their eighties and nineties and then us,” they said. “There are children, teenagers, adults in their twenties, thirties, and people all the way up to their nineties playing traditional Irish music together.”
