Amidst stacks of books, frozen yogurt and comfy couches, a group of SF State students pull out their yarn and needles, ready to engage in a pastime once reserved for grandmas.

Heads bent down, fingers busy, the young women of the Knitting Circle' work away to the rhythmic clack of their needles to express their individuality and creativity while also transcending the "little old lady" stereotypes of knitting's past.

Every Thursday, on the top floor of the Cesar Chavez Student Center, knitters of all levels gather in the Women's Center (WS), to join and learn the craft, while building unique and less expensive attire, or making gifts for friends and family.

“It’s just a place for people to learn or share their talents,” said WS senior assistant director Paty Castaneda, 23, a double major in creative arts and sociology.

About six to 10 students come each week to lounge on the couches or sometimes on the floor while crafting everything from baby booties to hats, scarves and purses.

“It’s very hands on, and up to the person’s discretion. If they need help or want to learn, we’ll all posse up and do it,” said knitting instructor and junior dance major Tieraney Carter, 22.

Carter, a Resident Advisor, was first introduced to the craft by a fellow dorm resident. After one session of instruction and a few follow-up questions, she said she was hooked.

“If I know I’m going to go somewhere, I’ll bring my knitting stuff with me, almost like a book or an iPod,” said Carter, who focuses her efforts on weaving rugs, pillows and other home décor items.

Sophomore journalism student Elizabeth Smith, 19, joined the group without any prior knitting experience and now she is able to craft an entire full-size sweater.

“It takes a lot of time, but it’s so much fun,” said Smith.

The weekly event was created last spring by former WS director Araceli Centeno, who wanted to provide an environment where students could exchange artistic expression.

Since then, the event has molded into something more, giving students an open forum to discuss women’s issues in a relaxed, less formal way.

“Things just started to grow organically while knitting. We started discussing all different kinds of issues,” said new director and senior American studies major Emmy Highsmith, 22.

According to Highsmith, the dialogue usually spans across sex, class, gender, politics and interracial dating.

“You know, all those socially pertinent women’s issues,” said Highsmith.

Last Thursday, between weaving and bursts of laughter, students discussed gender struggles and issues surrounding prostitution.

But the knitting craze is not just limited to SF State students. It has been a fluctuating trend since the middle ages, experiencing one of its biggest revivals at the turn of the 21st century.

There are now books, yarn shops, blogs and online communities that are exclusively dedicated to the craft. There is even a TV show on the DIY network called the "Knitty Gritty" that presents viewers with new ideas, patterns and textures.

Furthermore, numerous knitting groups have been established and are not only growing individually, but forming internationally.

According to SF State alumnus John Bumanglag, who graduated in spring 2003, knitting has become the “fast track to nirvana,” even gaining popularity amongst male crowds.

“Knitting is the new yoga,” said Bumanglag, 41. “I find it very relaxing and in the moment.”

In addition, there has been an emergence of “guerilla knitters,” or knit-graffiti crews, who hit the streets of major cities like San Francisco, New York and Atlanta to tag trees, car antennas, poles, park benches and doorknobs with soft, brightly colored woolens.

“I used to see folks doing graffiti with yarn around Mission and Valencia. Mostly bike racks, with bizarre colors and stripes,” said junior business major Robert Green, 21.

According to knit-artists like 27-year-old Jenni Vasquez, “It’s about social change, not responding to the fashion industry and making your own decisions.

“Knitting can be a politically engaged art form,” she said.

Late last month, the knitting community in Blacksburg, Va. came together to make its own statement regarding the Virginia Tech Shootings, constructing patchwork blankets for each of the 32 victims’ families.

Furthermore, the term "knitting" has been one of the top searches over the past two months, according to Yahoo's Molly McCall.

“Buzz for the crafty act has more than doubled,” wrote McCall on Yahoo’s Buzz Log on May 2.

But despite the craze, some say knitting isn't for everyone, especially those who can’t fight addiction.

“It’s like crack!” laughed undeclared freshman Cecilia McLaren, 18.

“Sometimes it can be bad, your hands cramp or when you have to get homework done, you’ll want to knit instead and tell yourself ‘forget homework!'” McLaren said.

Sophomore marketing major Ruben Uribe, 18, retired well before the addictive stages could kick in, but said it’s really the environment that’s addicting.

“Even though I don’t knit, I still come. It’s just a cool way to meet new people and hangout,” Uribe said.