At first glance, the green-and-brown ‘Windmills of Your Mind’ community in Whitefield looks like any other upscale Bengaluru enclave. But step inside on a weekend morning, and you’ll find women gathered not for coffee or brunch — but to crochet strings of flowers and leaves from leftover yarn.
What began as a small attempt to reduce event waste has grown into a creative sustainability movement. Residents are now upcycling scrap yarn, fabric, and old clothes into reusable decorations — and even raising funds for nearby government schools through their handiwork.
The initiative was launched earlier this year by Latha Raghu (60), a long-time resident and community organiser. “We would collect money, buy flowers and décor, and throw them away after the event. It didn’t feel right,” she said, recalling how the idea of reusing materials took root after the pandemic.
From yarn to community spirit
The project took shape when a friend visiting from the US — a former resident and crochet enthusiast — gifted Latha a starter kit of yarn and needles. A message on the residents’ WhatsApp group inviting volunteers sparked unexpected enthusiasm.
Over 20 women, aged between 8 and 75, turned up at the community café for the first meeting. While most were beginners, one participant offered to teach the others, and the sessions soon evolved into regular weekly workshops.
When supplies ran short, Latha put out another call for spare yarn. Within an hour, residents contributed around 100 balls of wool. The group went on to create 22 handmade torans (totalling 180 ft), 75 floral strings, 175 flowers, and 200 leaves — all crafted from donated or leftover yarn.
Several expat residents also joined the effort, drawn by the community’s commitment to sustainability and Indian craft traditions.
“Even though I already knew crochet, these meets helped me learn new techniques and connect with people who share a common purpose,” said Naina Jagtiani (73), one of the participants.
₹2 lakh raised for nearby schools
To showcase their work, the group organised a community art and craft exhibition, featuring crochet décor, artwork, and handmade crafts. The event raised over ₹2 lakh, which was donated to purchase sports uniforms for 300 students across two nearby government schools.
Residents of Windmills have been supporting these schools for several years, volunteering to improve classroom facilities, lighting, and sanitation.
Latha, who is also a self-taught painter, displayed her own artwork inspired by Madhubani, Tanjore, Warli, and Pattachitra styles at the exhibition.
Expanding the sustainable circle
Encouraged by the success, the women have now started repurposing old clothes and fabric scraps to make colourful buntings for upcoming community events. They are also learning macramé through online tutorials to further expand their sustainable décor collection.
What began as a small act of mindful creativity has now evolved into a vibrant, eco-conscious community effort — one that brings people together, reduces waste, and gives back to society.