Community Book Blanket Revealed

Four women smiling at the camera standing in front of a crocheted blanket hanging on the wall

contributed by Anne Gernetzke, UWW Practicum Student

On January 27, HPL unveiled the completed Community Book Blanket. Library staff and community members of all ages and backgrounds contributed crocheted squares inspired by a book they read in 2025.   

Thank you to everyone who created squares and contributed to the project. The Community Book Blanket can be viewed by the public in the tech corridor adjacent to the public computers. 

Use the QR code nearby or click here to learn more about the blanket. You'll find a map of the squares and a list of the books that inspired them. You may also find your next read! 

woman with blonde hair and glasses smiling at the camera while holding a rolled up blanket

The Heart Behind the Blanket

blonde woman with glasses smiling at the camera pointing at a blanket

Kasey, a Public Services Librarian at HPL and avid crocheter, spearheaded the project and completed the final blanket. The squares differed in design and color, so she had to carefully lay out each square before sewing them together. The entire process took over 35 hours. 

“My favorite part was finishing,” Kasey said, laughing.  

In addition to pulling all of the pieces together for the final blanket, she crocheted the first two rows! Each square inspired by a different HPL book club book.

Woman with dark hair and glasses smiling at camera and pointing to crocheted blanket

The Perfect Combination

Danielle designed multiple squares inspired by The Chronicle of St Mary’s series by Jodi Taylor. She says that participating in the Community Book Blanket project combined both of her interests: crocheting and reading.  

“This is just me,” Danielle said.  

 

woman wearing purple hat and glasses smiling at the camera and pointing to a crocheted blanket

Bringing the Community Together

Molly decided to get involved in the Book Blanket Project after attending the Casual Crafters program held at the library. She would use that time to learn about crochet and make her squares with the yarn available to participants. She viewed the Community Book Blanket as the perfect opportunity to support the library.  

“If you can tell the community about the books you are reading, why not? You can bring the community together.”