With a hook and ball (or two) of yarn, a whole world of connections can open up. 

For crochet artist Legin, fibre art is more than a hobby or means of creation: it's a holistic way of building community, culture, and creativity. After learning to crochet three decades ago, Legin founded his brand Legin Knits and his community event series Art of Crochet, which creates space to learn crochet and connect amid a backdrop of smooth Jazz and groovy reggae Dub.  

Just last week, Legin hosted an Art of Crochet gathering at the AGO, and over 470 people came to connect through art, music, and community. On November 18 and 25, Legin will be hosting a youth iteration of Art of Crochet at the AGO. Free to youth under 25, Legin will blend art, culture, music and wellbeing to teach crochet as a journey towards cultivating mindfulness and patience in everyday life.  

Foyer caught up with Legin to learn more about his approach to crochet and what youth can expect from this workshop series.  

Photos by: Czek

Foyer: Can you tell me the story of how you first learned to crochet, and how that eventually led to you creating Art of Crochet gatherings? 

Legin: My journey with crochet began 30 years ago in San Fernando, Trinidad, where I learned the craft from a Rastaman. What started as learning a skill became a lifelong journey of creativity, self-expression and connection. Rooted in Rastafarian culture, crochet became more than just making things with my hands. It became a way of life, allowing me to express myself through art while connecting with people from all walks of life. 

Over the years, my desire to help people and the planet grew with my craft. The experience of learning and creating together can be even more powerful than the finished piece. That understanding inspired me to bring people together through Art of Crochet, combining crochet, music and conversation into a shared creative experience. 

Today, our Art of Crochet & Jazz and Art of Crochet & Dub gatherings, alongside workshops such as Off the Hook, Laced Up, Uplifted and Who the Cap Fit, continue that journey, bringing people of all ages and backgrounds in one place to learn, create and connect. It's a reflection of something I've always believed: Life is Art, Craft It Wisely! 

Photos by: Czek

What are some of your favourite aspects and/or benefits of crocheting? 

One of my favourite things about crocheting is the freedom it gives you to create. With just a hook and some yarn, the possibilities are endless. It's a beautiful form of self-expression that encourages patience, focus and creativity. I also appreciate the wellness benefits. Crochet allows us to slow down, be present, and engage our minds and hands in a meaningful way. There's something powerful about creating something from nothing, one stitch at a time. 

I love that crocheting allows people to personalize their style, set trends rather than follow them, and create something truly their own. Handcrafted pieces can be costly because of the time, skill and uniqueness involved, but teaching the craft makes that creativity accessible to more people. It brings me gratitude, knowing someone can learn to make something they may not otherwise be able to afford. Art and creativity should be for everyone. 

Photos by: Czek

What can participants expect from this youth crochet workshop series? 

Our Art of Crochet after-school program is an interactive, creative experience that brings together crochet, music and conversation. It provides youth with a meaningful opportunity to engage in creative activities beyond the classroom, learn new skills or build on their existing crochet knowledge. Through hands-on learning, we encourage self-expression, confidence and creativity while connecting with others in a fun and inspiring environment. 

The exhibition, Sunday Best: The Power and The Glory of Black Fashion, explores how fashion connects to Black self-expression, activism, and migration.  How do you think crochet and other fibre crafts connect to the themes of this exhibition? 

Crochet and other fibre arts have deep connections to culture, identity and self-expression! Fashion has always been more than what we wear. It's a way of communicating who we are, where we come from and what we stand for. From growing up in a Caribbean household and connecting with Rastafarian roots and culture, I've experienced firsthand how colours, textures and handcrafted pieces can represent identity, resistance and power. From the crowns we wear to the garments we create, every piece can carry a story and a message. 

Fibre art also connects generations with skills and traditions passed from one person to another, often travelling across borders through migration. That's what makes Sunday Best so meaningful. It's about honouring our heritage while having the freedom to express ourselves and shape what comes next. 

Have a creative youth looking for something to do after school? Join Legin's Art of Crochet Youth Program at the AGO, taking place on Wednesday, November 18 and 25. Admission to this workshop series is free for youth under 25.