In the World of Crochet
The June 2019 issue of Crochet World magazine introduced Jonah Larson, a veritable whiz kid with a hook. He’s not only an incredibly fast and prolific crocheter, he’s the embodiment of all that is good and beneficial about working with yarn. If, by some chance, you haven’t heard about Jonah, who will be 12 years old in early 2020, here’s some background: He was an abandoned infant in an Ethiopian orphanage when Jennifer and Christopher Larson of La Crosse, Wis., adopted him. He learned to crochet at age 5 from YouTube videos. His first project was a perfectly made dishcloth; from that, he’s progressed to hats, afghans and cowls. Jonah not only crochets gifts for friends and family (including the dogs), he sells his work through his own business, Jonah’s Hands. His profits contribute to an Ethiopian nonprofit organization that benefits education and job creation, as well as Jonah’s savings for college and retirement, and his own spending money. He’s saving for a trip to the orphanage from which he was adopted. Additional earnings have no doubt come from his book, Hello, Crochet Friends! Making Art, Being Mindful, and Giving Back: Do What Makes You Happy, published this past summer by KWiL Publishing. Jonah breezes through about 25 skeins of yarn a week, stitching five hours a day. You’d think that his devotion to his craft would leave him little time for studying and extracurricular activities, but think again! Jonah maintains excellent grades and participates in after-school sports. He hopes to become a surgeon and feels that the dexterity he’s gained from crocheting will help him become successful in this profession. Now let’s hear from him:
Randy Cavaliere: I understand your love of crochet. What drew you to it at such a young age?
Jonah Larson: It was just a fluke that I discovered crocheting at age 5 when I found a crochet hook in a bag of craft items. After my mom found a “how to” video on crochet, I quickly made my first dishcloth. It seemed like crocheting was something that just came naturally to me. I loved working with yarn and the various colors and textures of it. More importantly, I loved the beautiful creations I could make from a string of yarn. I remember jumping from hobby to hobby when I was little, but not with crocheting. Crocheting started at age 5 and continues with me today. Throughout those years, I tried new patterns and designs, new yarns and new ways to advance myself in this craft.
RC: Can you estimate the number of items you’ve made since you began to crochet?
JL: I have not kept track of all the items that I have made since age 5. I approximate, however, that it is well over 500 items. RC: What is your most favorite thing about crochet? JL: There are so many things I like about crochet, so it is difficult to choose just one. But overall I think crochet benefits me the most by helping me relax and stay focused.
RC: What project gives you the most pleasure to make and why?
JL: I really enjoy making afghans. There are so many options of designs and textures and beautiful colorways, making the possibilities endless. I love that they are functional and make great gifts for everyone. You can make them using lighter weight yarn for the warmer months and heavier weight yarn for the cooler months. It also seems like afghans are one of those crocheted items that are most passed down as heirlooms. Everyone seems to have an afghan or two hanging over the back of their couch.
RC: If you had the skills to crochet anything, what would you make?
JL: I would like to make a beautiful, lacy, special occasion dress, such as a wedding gown.
RC: What’s your favorite size and brand of hooks? Do inline hooks appeal to you or are rounded hooks with tapered heads your first choice? Do you like ergonomic hooks?
JL: I generally like the larger hook sizes such as an H/8/5mm or J/10/6mm because I enjoy using blanket yarn. I find, however, that I am often reaching for my I/9/5.5mm hook to use with most of the other yarns I choose for projects. At this point I don’t favor one brand of hook over another. I’ve had the opportunity to use all types of hooks including handmade hooks from England and the more expensive hooks such as Furls. I’ve also used hooks made from plastic, various woods and aluminum, all with great success. I do find I like ergonomic hooks best and those that are handmade from exotic woods. If they are beautiful in their design, I usually go for those over the basic hooks. RC: Your favorite fiber and size of yarn is…? JL: I use all types of fiber and find that each one has a perfect place in my projects. I love #5 bulky and #6 super bulky yarns best, especially in winter. I enjoy using merino wool, thick synthetic blends, and anything warm like alpaca and baby lamb. In summer, I gravitate more towards 100% cotton, which I use to make dishcloths, coasters, market bags and summer cardigans.
RC: When you create a new project, do you make them as one-of-a-kind pieces or multiples?
JL: Usually when I create a new project, they are one-of-a-kind pieces. Once I make a project I generally move on to another so I can try something different. There have been occasions, however, when designs have become so popular that I have made dozens of them for people. I enjoy making people happy by making something they like, but I don’t enjoy making that same project over and over again.
RC: You seem so comfortable in front of the camera. How and why did you start creating YouTube videos?
JL: My mom says I have enjoyed being in front of the camera since I was a baby. I really enjoy teaching others and having fun doing so. I started making YouTube tutorials because of the literally thousands of requests I get through social media channels. I would love to be able to make more tutorials but my schoolwork comes first and is my main priority.
RC: In your work with Yarnspirations, what have you created for them?
JL: Working with Yarnspirations has been a fun collaboration. It is also an opportunity for me to learn and grow from other experts in the craft. I’ve develop tutorials and made projects of my choice using patterns from their online Yarnspirations collection.
RC: You are inspirational to others. Who inspires you in your life and your crochet work?
JL: It is my mom who inspires me. She is very creative and also a very hard worker. She has always supported my desire and passion to crochet. She has never questioned it and has given me the resources I need to be successful. She also keeps me grounded and is a constant reminder that school and family come first. RC: What advice would you give a beginning crocheter? JL: My advice for a beginner is to go at your own pace and start with projects that are at your level. I started with a dishcloth and I still enjoy making them today.
RC: What advice would you give to those that want to teach others how to crochet?
JL: Teaching others to crochet can be challenging especially when it comes so naturally to me. I have learned to be very patient. I always suggest starting with a basic project so they can quickly enjoy something they created, such as a simple bracelet or scarf. I also suggest using a thicker yarn and a bigger hook. I try to keep first-time lessons with an individual to no more than 15–20 minutes.
RC: What items do you sell? Do you offer a predetermined list of products or do you make custom pieces?
JL: In my earlier years, I made items to give to friends and family. I then moved on to making custom pieces to sell. Now that selling has become overwhelming with literally thousands of requests, I no longer take orders. At this time, if I make an item, I usually donate it for charity such as Roots Ethiopia, which benefits the village where I was born. I also enjoy donating to charities that benefit rescue animals.
RC: Clearly, you enjoy not just working with your hands but using your energy and talent to help people. Is this what draws you to your future profession as a surgeon or orthodontist or is there another “pull” toward these occupations?
JL: I do think the dexterity I have gained by using my fingers to crochet will help me become a successful surgeon. Both my mom and dad are in the healthcare field and this has inspired me as well.
RC: Do you see yourself continuing to crochet in five years? If so, do you have any plans for future projects? What do you want to learn?
JL: Crocheting will always be a part of my life. Not only am I able to create beautiful things but I make others happy in doing so. It also helps me relax and stay focused, which is therapeutic for me. I hope to design crocheted items for stores as a way for many to get an item from Jonah’s Hands.
RC: You raised money to go back to Ethiopia to visit your birthplace. What do you hope to gain from that experience?
JL: I want to see the area where I was born to help me understand the hardship my biological mother and father experienced. Given the great opportunities I have had, I want to give what I can to the children from that village. They continue to struggle with basic nutrition, education and orphan care. I was once an orphan, so I feel that it is only right for me to give back.
RC: Your book published this past summer shares the heartwarming story of your life experiences through crochet. What do you hope people will take away from reading your book?
JL: There are many things I hope readers take away from my book. This includes having the courage to do what makes you happy. It also includes finding healthy ways to focus for children who may struggle in school. I also want readers to learn about the overall beauty of crochet and to realize that really everyone has their own crochet story.
RC: Any last words of encouragement for our readers?
JL: Crochet away, Friends! CW See Jonah’s work on his website, www.jonahhands.com, or on Instagram at @jonahhands. Minimum sizes allowed (below).