Philly Sports Fans Build Community Through Knitting, Crocheting

Philadelphia sports fans are expanding their identity beyond sports enthusiast stereotypes by embracing fiber arts. Through activities like crocheting and knitting, sports fans are finding camaraderie as they support teams like the Philadelphia Phillies and Eagles.

South Philadelphia sports fan Amy Baldwin, 47, describes the fiber arts sports fan community as welcoming and integral to her sense of belonging. "So many times, we get put in a box," she told the News Tribune. "I'm a sports fan, I'm a theater fan, and I'm a crafting fan. Why can't you be all three?"

This sense of connection through stitches inspires groups such as the Philadelphia Drunken Knitwits, a diverse group that formed in 2017 and meets weekly to yarn-bomb and attend games with craft projects in tow.

Stitch N' Pitch events allow knitters and crocheters to work on projects inside Citizens Bank Park during Phillies games, merging their hobby with sports fan culture.

Young crafters and patterns are driving the trend toward wearable sports gear, including mesh jerseys, beanies, bandannas, and other crocheted items that let crafters showcase their Philadelphia pride for the Phillies and Eagles.

For example, Baldwin crocheted a Phillies baseball during a game. Kensington native Laura McNamara, 43, created an award-winning ice cream helmet and Phanatic pieces. Claire Schaefer, 27, designs mesh Phillies jerseys and Eagles scarves.

Schaefer is particularly proud of her handmade Phillies jersey. She told the News Tribune, "I saw a girl on Instagram who made a Yankees one, so I decided to make a Phillies version of it and freehanded that based off of her visual. I've noticed a lot of people making the mesh stuff. It's a pretty new trend now. I think it follows the style you see in mass-produced knitwear."