Jonah Larson of La Crosse, Wisconsin, was 5 years old when he first picked up a crochet needle. He took to the craft immediately. Now 16, Jonah creates crochet patterns, posts video tutorials, and sells his own creations, with part of the proceeds going to the Ethiopian village where he was born.
Q: Why do you like to crochet?
A: It’s a great way to occupy your time, it’s super calming because of the repetitive motion, and you also get that gratification of making a beautiful item when you’re done.
Q: Why is giving to Ethiopian children important to you?
A: I was born in a poor rural area of Ethiopia. When I was adopted, my mom promised not to let me forget where I came from. We’ve built a library, science lab, restrooms, and more for students there. In total, that’s come to around $50,000.
Q: Have you gotten to know people through crochet?
A: Every Sunday, I call my crochet friend—I’ve gotten to the point where I call her “Grandma” now. It’s a wonderful community, and we all help each other out with projects.
Q: Any advice for beginners?
A: We have kits for beginners on the Jonah’s Hands site. The only thing stopping you is your attitude. At 5, I didn’t know that boys don’t normally do crochet, so I went right for it and realized I enjoyed it. Now I can see where it’s gotten me.
This interview was edited and condensed for length and clarity.