Alexandra Wong

Teaching data and data visualization to undergraduate students is of growing importance to academic libraries. However, introducing data skills and data software to diverse groups and fields of study can be challenging. Melding the fields of data physicalization and critical making with traditional crafts like crochet, two academic librarians created a new workshop that provides a more welcoming and inclusive way to understand and experience data fundamentals. Leveraging the trend in crocheted or knitted temperature blankets, our small group of workshop participants brought data to life through crocheting a potholder that revealed temperature changes. This presentation discusses the planning process, our results and how the workshop was received, and our plans for future workshops.