Meet the Designer: Jonah’s Hands

Get ready to be inspired by Jonah Larson, the amazing 16-year-old crochet designer behind Jonah’s Hands! Jonah has been crocheting since he was just 5 years old, and now he’s teaming up with Hobbii for an exciting new collaboration. Meet him here!

If you’re a fan of Jonah’s Hands, you’re in for a treat! Jonah Larson has just published three fabulous new patterns with Hobbii, featuring some of his favorite yarns! 👏

When asked to describe his crochet design style, Jonah said: “unique, trendsetting, and unpredictable.” Looking at the new designs, we couldn’t agree more! Check out the patterns HERE!

The young designer has already been featured in top publications like the New York Times, Forbes Magazine, and People Magazine, and he’s made appearances on ABC News, The Today Show, and Good Morning America.

But that’s not all—Jonah’s heart is as big as his talent. In 2023, his incredible contributions through crochet earned him the International Young Philanthropist Award. His crochet journey is a testament to how creativity and kindness can make a world of difference.

Stay tuned, because this is just the beginning of Jonah and Hobbii working together! 🤭👀 We had the opportunity to ask Jonah a few questions. Read on to learn more about this creative designer!

1. What got you into crocheting?

“When I was 5 years old, my aunt dropped off a bag of craft supplies she no longer wanted for me and my siblings to rummage through. I found a shiny crochet hook at the bottom of the bag and asked my mom what it was. She explained but told me she didn’t know how to crochet. She did, however, find me some yarn and a YouTube tutorial on how to make a dishcloth and left me to it.

A while later, she came back and found that I had finished a blue and green striped dishcloth. She expected to find me with a tangled mess of yarn, but my mind just knew how to crochet, and I liked it. I kept going and learned more challenging patterns. It's been eleven years, and I’m still crocheting.”

Color Splash - Bucket Hat

2. What do you love most about crocheting?

“It was easy for me to fall in love with crochet because it came naturally to me. I didn’t have to work hard at it. It wasn’t puzzling to me—it was relaxing.

As a small child, I quickly learned that crochet calmed my busy mind. The rhythmic motion of the hook and even the sound of the yarn forming the stitches had a soothing effect on me. I was often in trouble as a grade schooler, but when I brought crochet to school, I was no longer bored, and my mom didn’t get as many calls from the principal about my mischievous behavior.

I also enjoy the beauty of crochet. Being able to take a ball of yarn and a hook and make beautiful items from it is amazing to me. Making people happy with my crochet is an added bonus.”

3. Can you share a fun fact from your crochet journey?

“I worked for two years as a kid correspondent on The Drew Barrymore Show. I interviewed celebrities who had written children’s books, and I crocheted while I interviewed them. Some of the people I interviewed were Jimmy Fallon, Henry Winkler, Natalie Portman, Chelsea Clinton, and Tom Daly.”

4. What’s your fondest crochet-related memory?

“I have raised over $100,000 to support the school I would have attended if I still lived in Ethiopia. I was born in a very poor rural area where the kids did not have access to a proper education. With the money I raised by selling my crochet items, fundraising, and donations from crochet friends and celebrities, I have been able to make a difference for those children who would have been my classmates.

I have built them a library filled with books, a science lab with the necessary equipment, 90 desks so kids didn’t have to sit on the floor, and a latrine for the girls with a private changing room so they feel comfortable coming to school. I also provided a fully equipped soccer team, complete with uniforms and goalies. This was all done at the grade school.

Now that this is complete, we are moving on to renovating their high school, which is in desperate need of help. This is my proudest accomplishment with crochet. When I was adopted, the nannies at the orphanage asked my mom to never let me forget where I came from, and this is how we are fulfilling that promise.”

Leif - Sweater

5. What excites you most about your new collaboration with Hobbii?

“I am so excited to collaborate with Hobbii. It was like Christmas when the big truck delivered 31 packages of yarn! Hobbii has so many varieties of yarn that the possibilities are endless. My mind is swirling with ideas.

I like chunky yarn because I live in Wisconsin, where it can get very cold, and the warm yarn is nice and cozy to work with by the fireplace. But I also like to work with DK weight and cotton yarn in the summer. I enjoy making shawls and lacy items for my mom and aunties.

Someday, I hope to have a line of yarn with my name on it. It has been my lifelong dream.”

6. What’s your favorite Hobbii yarn so far?

“When I made The Leif Shirt I really enjoyed the natural fibers of Olivin and Friends Cotton Silk.

I’ve also enjoyed working with Udon. I used this one to create The Chicago Bobble Cardigan. It’s a fun, oversized cardigan made from this luscious thick yarn stitched into a creative design of bobbles. And when I say bobbles, I mean bobbles!”

The Chicago Bobble Cardigan

7. Can you share with us your best tips for crocheters?

“First, just have fun. Be who you are. Doesn’t matter your gender, age, or anything else. Do what makes you happy.

If you’re a new crocheter, try a chunky yarn and a big hook first. It’s easier to see your stitches, and your projects work up quickly. I suggest a simple scarf or beanie.”

8. What crochet hack makes life much easier as a crocheter?

“Everybody knows this, but few people do it: you really need to check your gauge. It saves so much time in the long run.

When I was younger, I thought I could get by without doing it. And honestly, sometimes I could. But if you want your project to be perfect—and I do—then take the time to check your gauge first thing.”

Get the patterns here!

Are you eager to crochet Jonah's new patterns? Download them for free at the Hobbii website and start creating your own unique, trendsetting pieces!