What began as a small picnic for craft lovers at Bengaluru’s Cubbon Park two years ago has grown into a community of more than 1,400 members of all ages. The group, called Crafty, will mark its 100th meetup next week with a one-day festival in the city.
Founder Rahul Jadhav recalled that he first crocheted bookmarks and coasters as gifts. Friends asked for lessons, which he gave at home. The idea then shifted to outdoor sessions. An Instagram post drew more interest, turning the gatherings into a broader arts and crafts circle. Jadhav, an independent publisher, now hosts weekly Sunday meetups at the park.
The group’s WhatsApp chat has 1,400 members and its Instagram account reaches 19,000 followers. Participants work in crochet, knitting, embroidery, painting, sculpting, jewellery making, paper crafts, and resin art.
The upcoming Crafty Bazaar will feature nearly 50 stalls. Items on offer include crochet pieces, embroidery, woodwork, handmade jewellery, eco-printed clothing, paintings, and beaded bags. Stalls are kept small to allow more members to take part.
Workshops will also be available, covering eco printing, tie-dye, Tunisian crochet, finger knitting, affirmation art, and notebook embroidery, with fees ranging from ₹499 to ₹3,000.
Member Muneef Khan, who practices several fibre arts, joined after learning crochet to make a baby cardigan. He credits online tutorials and says the group offers both social connection and skill sharing.
Another participant, Neha Lal, joined through her daughter’s interest in knitting and rediscovered her own embroidery practice. Jadhav notes that many members balance full-time jobs with crafting and often struggle to find buyers. A Crafty website is planned as a platform to connect artists with customers.
The event takes place on July 18 from 11 am to 8 pm at Sabha on Kamaraj Road. Tickets are available online.
