At Windmills of Your Mind, sustainability is more than a principle — it’s part of daily life. Our community gardens, lush parks, and unique green roofs purify the air and nurture biodiversity, while recycling, composting, thrifting and pre-loved sales within the community, and reducing single-use plastics through our own cutlery banks have strengthened our resolve to live greener, healthier lives.

But sustainability at Windmills extends beyond gardens and waste management. It’s also about how we come together to celebrate. In a heartwarming initiative, a group of women from the community joined hands to design handmade, reusable décor for our cultural events — proving that celebrations can be both beautiful and sustainable.

From Discarded Signboards to Crochet Dreams

The journey began last year when a small group of residents upcycled discarded signboards into vibrant terracotta-painted boards adorned with traditional rangoli and kolam designs. Inspired by this success, the idea quickly grew: could we reimagine event décor altogether?

Instead of spending heavily on fresh flowers that last only a few hours, the women envisioned handcrafted torans (garlands) and floral strings that could be reused year after year. Thus, the Crochet Project was born in April this year.

A Community Effort Across Generations

Team leads – two women – dreamt and visualised the concept. The first call for volunteers drew an overwhelming response. From children as young as eight to energetic septuagenarians, residents turned up with enthusiasm and open hearts.

Each member brought something unique — crochet skills, project management, design flair, or simply the willingness to learn. Yarn donations poured in from generous Windmillers, and weekly sessions at the café soon became lively gatherings filled with laughter, learning, and creativity.

What began with a modest goal of 90–100 ft of torans blossomed into:

• 22 torans spanning 180 ft
• 75 floral strings for décor and selfie stations
• Nearly 200 leaves and 175 flowers carefully crocheted
  
  
• Growing Ambitions: From Crochet to Macramé and Painting
• Buoyed by their success, the group experimented with macramé, teaching themselves through videos and practice until new patterns came to life. Soon after, the Project Paint Party brought children and women together to create Ganesh paintings in traditional and global styles.
• These artworks not only decorated the sanctum during Ganesh Chaturthi – Lord Ganesha painted in various artistic styles from Thanjavur to Gond to cubist adorned the walls – but were also sold in a fundraiser post festivities, raising ₹2 lakhs for sports uniforms for two government schools supported by the community.

Impact Beyond Décor

The project’s benefits extend far beyond events:

1. Sustainability – Handmade décor can be reused, reducing waste and expenses.
2. Intergenerational learning – Experienced hands mentored newcomers.
3. Skill-sharing and creativity – Residents explored crochet, macramé, and painting.
4. Community bonding – Weekly meet-ups fostered belonging and camaraderie.
   
   

At this year’s Ganesh Chaturthi, the handmade decorations were the showstopper — minimalist, elegant, and filled with love. Fresh flowers were used sparingly and responsibly, with even the leftovers dried for repurposing.

A Testament to Windmills Spirit

What started as a simple crochet idea has evolved into a movement — preserving traditional crafts, reducing waste, raising funds, and most importantly, bringing people together.

This project is a shining example of the Windmills spirit: creative, generous, and committed to sustainability. And with the team already dreaming of their next project, the story has only just begun.

✨ Handmade. Reusable. Beautiful. Sustainable.