If you find yourself wandering into the Gathering Place at the Spencer Pride commUnity center on a Friday evening, don’t be surprised to hear laughter, see a swirl of colorful yarn, and maybe even spot a rogue button or two. That’s Craft Nights—Spencer Pride’s inclusive, come-as-you-are crafting hangout, dreamed up by local volunteer Cat.
“I honestly never thought of myself as a particularly artistic or crafty person,” Cat admits with a smile. “I tried to learn crochet a few times and thought myself unteachable until my spouse gifted me a beginner’s kit. I have hardly set down my hook since!”
Cat, a queer nonbinary Owen County resident and full-time nursing student, has managed to stitch together not only delightful handmade gifts for friends but also a space where creativity and connection are the real goals. “Sometimes it’s just a coffee cozy or a mug rug,” they explain. “But I love making afghans and throws too. Handmade gifts show folks not only that I’m thinking of them, but that they’re worth the time and effort.”
Craft Nights occurs on the 2nd and 4th Fridays of each month from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in the Gathering Place on the center’s first floor. The vibe? Utterly low-pressure. You don’t need to be an expert crafter—or even particularly productive. “These are extremely casual, bring-your-own-project events,” Cat says. “All you need is your project and any supplies. Productivity is absolutely not mandatory!”
The idea was stitched together last fall, when Cat recognized a need for local, queer-affirming craft spaces. “There are great queer- and trans-friendly craft nights in South Central Indiana, but the distance made it hard to participate,” they explain. “I wanted to bring something 
like that to Spencer—accessible, welcoming, and in a space where people already feel supported.”
That support isn’t new to Cat, who’s been volunteering with Spencer Pride since 2020, first as a member of the Fundraising Committee and now through regular shifts at the center. Their favorite non-crafty program? Rainbow Rollers’ Open Game Night. “I can’t commit to a longer tabletop RPG right now,” they say, “so getting together to play board games once a month is a perfect outlet!”
Whether they’re embroidering a hoop, crocheting a blanket, or just sipping tea and chatting, Cat’s Craft Nights are quickly becoming a staple of comfort and creativity in the Spencer Pride community. As Cat puts it best: “Crafting is a great diversion and means of relaxation when things get stressful—and sharing that with others makes it even better.”
So bring your knitting needles, embroidery hoops, or even just your curiosity—and join the crew. No productivity required.
