It was several months ago in a bustling 7th grade classroom on Long Island, NY, a group of curious students embarked on an extraordinary journey of kindness and generosity. Their inspiring adventure began during Black History month when their teacher, Ms. Hinkson, introduced them to a remarkable young boy named Jonah and his inspiring project called Jonah’s Hands.
They learned that Jonah is a gifted crochet artist and a young philanthropist, dedicated to doing good in the world. One of his favorite projects is in Ethiopia, where he was born. He is working with Roots Ethiopia on their school improvement work. Jonah is improving a grade school and a high school in a village where he would likely have grown up, in Teza Gerba village.
Jonah’s determination to help improve education in rural Ethiopia captured the class’s attention. The students decided to take action and support Jonah’s special projectwith a donation of pencils to students in Ethiopia. It was perfect timing since their school was collecting pencils in a classroom competition and they were so excited to select a destination so far away, and to students just like them in so many ways.
Pencils, the most essential tool for learning, empower students and help every student pursue their dreams. One student in Ms. Hinkson’s class said, “some students don’t have everything we have here…They should have the chance to experience the happiness of a new pencil.”
Week after week the students collected pencils and the pile of pencils grew larger and larger. The classroom became a buzzing hub of excitement and anticipation as the students meticulously counted and organized the pencils ensuring that each one would find its way to Ethiopia. They collected over 1,500 pencils for Teza Gerba students!
Just 2 months later travelers from the Board of Roots Ethiopia, USA, set off for Ethiopia, with 15 lbs of pencils in tow. That’s a whole lot of pencils!
With smiles and excitement, the students at Teza Gerba School received the pencils. They were thrilled to know their education is being supported by kindhearted students across the world. Every child wrote with extra enthusiasm that day at Teza Gerba School.
A big thank you to Ms. Hinkson’s 7th graders at Longwood Junior High School. Their kindness made students smile in Ethiopia. Longwood students have exemplified the power of compassion, empathy, and global citizenship.
It is powerful to see children whose actions create change in the world. Kids rock, and we are so excited to know this experience helps students continue to engage in conversations and actions that make a positive difference in the world.
Children of the world understand the transformative power of education, not only for themselves but for children in faraway places like Teza Gerba School in Ethiopia.
Written by Meghan Walsh, BoD Chair.
]]>Transforming a hobby into a living is never straightforward, but in the modern startup economy, it’s possible to start a business of your own doing something you love and to profit significantly (even if that hobby is crochet). In this article, we’ll explore the steps you can take to get started and build momentum for future growth.
Preparing Your Business
Before you take on your hobby as a full-time occupation, it’s important to cover all administrative bases and enter into the situation gradually.
- Side hustling: Before quitting your day job, it can be wise to first use your hobby as a side hustle. This will give you time to build your knowledge of business and test the waters before making a full-time commitment.
- Business plan: A business plan is a roadmap that outlines your goals, target market, competition, and financial projections. This will help you to stay focused and organized as you build your business.
-Competitor analysis: When starting a new business, a competitor analysis can help identify strengths and weaknesses in the market and inform strategic decisions. This can be carried out by researching and comparing similar businesses in terms of products, services, pricing, marketing, and target audience.
Launching Your Business
Once you’ve written a plan and you have a clear understanding of how you’re going to operate your business, the next step is to press launch and get your enterprise off the ground.
● Business formation: It’s easier than ever to form a Limited Liability Company (LLC) with the help of formation services - doing so can help you to benefit from tax advantages, reduced paperwork, and personal liability. Using a formation service will also help you to save on expensive lawyer fees; just be sure to read reviews to determine the best available service.
● Permits & licenses: Obtaining permits and licenses for a new business in the USA can be a complex process depending on the type of business and location. Generally, businesses need to register with the state in which they will operate and obtain any necessary licenses or permits specific to their industry. This can include obtaining a business license, sales tax permit, and any professional or occupational licenses required for the specific type of business.
● EIN: Businesses may also need to comply with federal regulations, such as obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS and obtaining any necessary permits from federal agencies such as the FDA or OSHA. There are plenty of guides to help you with this online.
Growing Your Business
With a fully formed business, your work is only half done. The next step is to work towards growing the enterprise and increasing revenue.
● Digital marketing: For a growing business, marketing should be a key focus point. You can start by building a marketing plan to help you reach your target market and promote your business. This should include strategies for social media, content marketing, email marketing, and other tactics to help grow your business.
● Physical marketing: So much of business is now conducted in the digital space, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still rely on a few older methods. You can, for example, enhance your content with business cards - it’s easy to design a personalized card using pre-made templates, then adding images, text, color schemes, and fonts of your choice.
Starting a business in the crafts can be a lot of fun and highly rewarding. However, it's important to remember your business basics if you want to find success. Whether you’re writing a plan, creating a business structure, or marketing your services, remember to stay focused on your goals, remain persistent, and always be willing to learn and adapt.
Author: Jenna Sherman
]]>How to Launch a Business in Your Local Community
Launching a business to serve your community is a wonderful way to give back. You can cater to everyone’s needs, benefit the economy, and make money while you’re at it. By their very nature, local small businesses depend heavily on their community’s support. If you’re thinking of launching such a business, you will need to carefully align it with your unique community’s nature and needs. Here, Jonah’s Hands walks you through the considerations to make when launching a local business:
Your community is your biggest patron
It’s crucial to understand that for local, small-scale businesses, the majority of income typically comes from the local community. Having a good relationship with your community is integral to your survival. You will not only need to focus on the business aspect of things but also foster a social connection with the people around you. Provide a valuable service and, more importantly, be seen as a business that’s a valuable part of the community.
How your business can benefit the community
TRUiC sums up how your business benefits the local community nicely: It helps prop up your community’s economy, creates jobs, has a cultural impact, raises environmental awareness, increases city revenues, and inspires entrepreneurship in others. If you put extra emphasis on giving back, your business will benefit the community even more. For instance, some businesses host local charity events while others volunteer employee time for causes that need it.
An effective way to give back to your community is by donating simple crochet items that you and your employees can make yourself in your spare time. It’s fast, convenient, and doesn’t require a big money investment. Needless to say, it also scores brownie points with your community – and helps people in need. You can learn simple crochet patterns in the Giving Back Crochet book.
How to start a community-based business
You’ll need a solid business idea, first and foremost. Ideally, you should research your local market conditions and pick a niche with little competition and a great deal of future potential. Furthermore, you should consider doing something that you find personally interesting, and that aligns with your past experiences.
Once you have something figured out, you should write a business plan – Investopedia explains how to do so. This document will help you set up your business. It contains details about everything important – your funding, monetization strategy, market conditions, customer relationships, and business goals. Finally, you will need to take care of basic legal tasks like registering your business, acquiring a license or permit, getting an EIN, and acquiring a trade name.
Consider an official business structure
Forming an LLC can be beneficial. It can help you limit the risk you face by launching your own business, as limited liability protects your personal assets against lawsuits. Other benefits are less paperwork, more flexibility, and some tax benefits. You can avoid hefty lawyer fees by filing the paperwork yourself or using a formation service. States have different regulations around LLC formation – check the local rules before you move forward.
Ways to raise your profile locally
Building a strong relationship with community members is how you attract customers and keep them coming back. There are countless ways to do so. You should participate in local eventslike fairs, volunteering initiatives, and charity drives. You can host workshops and trade shows. You can sponsor local sports teams and events. Finally, you could network by joining local business groups.
Engage with your customers on social media to market your business
Social media is one of the most powerful ways to engage with your community. You can create a local social media group for your followers, a business page, and profiles across various platforms to reach the most people. Talk to your followers and be approachable. One of the best ways to keep your followers engaged is via memes. They’re fun, easy to follow, and shareable. You can use an online meme maker tool to make your own meme. After choosing a template, you can customize it by adding your own background and changing the appearance of the text.
Go back to school for a business degree
Running a business requires serious knowledge. Although you can pick it up as you go, you may find going back to school for a business degree worthwhile – especially if you feel ill-equipped to launch right now. You can earn a degree in accounting, business, communications, management, or similar and learn skills that allow you to avoid mistakes in your business. See your options here. With an online degree, you could even run your business while going back to school at the same time.
Conclusion
Running a business will require careful planning, goal setting, and a host of entrepreneurial skills. You can go back to school to gain the skills or knowledge you need or seek mentorship from an experienced businessman or coach. As your business will be heavily reliant on your local community, focus your efforts on building a strong, lasting relationship with it for the best results.
Author: Jenna Sherman
]]>Self-care is vital to your success and well-being. Despite that, most adults do not take the time for self-care, according to research. There are many reasons: perceived lack of time or money, thinking it's a selfish pursuit, or simply not recognizing they need it.
Self-care isn't an expensive, time-consuming pursuit. You can devote even 10 minutes daily to the practice and feel the effects. Here are some ideas to consider if you'd like to take better care of yourself.
Trimming Your Budget
Reducing financial stress can be challenging, and you might not feel like you're seeking self-care while sitting at your desk and crunching numbers. However, once you've hit the issue head-on and made changes, you'll probably feel much better about your money situation.
Sometimes you have to get creative to find ways to reduce your budget. Have you considered your living arrangements? Research the possibility of downsizing if you're paying a lot for an apartment or mortgage. It may take some stress off of your budget and help you practice better self-care in the process. To find a new home, read online listings to find places in your price range with the number of bathrooms and bedrooms you require.
Saving on Massage and Manicure Services
There's nothing like adding a relaxing massage to your self-care routine. However, the price may be out of reach in your budget. You may be able to save money, though. Some places offer prepaid packages that cost less than individual bookings. You can also call the spa and see if they have cancellations or last-minute spots they want to fill for a reduced price.
Nail salons may offer package deals that allow you to save on services you plan to purchase. You may be able to get a cheaper manicure if you opt for shorter nails or bring your own polish.
Crafting
Crafting, painting, building and other creative hobbies are excellent forms of self-care. According to experts, creating art reduces stress hormones in your body.
You don't have to be an expert crafter to enjoy a creative hobby. Even if you don't think of yourself as creative, you can learn by following a pattern. You can purchase crafting kits from Jonah’s Hands containing all the necessary materials and instructions — all you need to do is create and relax.
Crafting can be a budget-friendly form of self-care. The materials are relatively inexpensive, and your finished product is much more valuable. Your crafts can make excellent presents for friends and loved ones, and there's a lot of satisfaction in giving treasured handmade gifts.
Relocating
Moving can be a form of self-care. Making the decision to move to a new home is a way of taking control of your life and making a change that you know will be good for you. It can be a chance to start fresh, get rid of old memories, and create a space that is entirely your own. Moving to a new home can also help you to meet new people and discover new interests. It can be an opportunity to explore a new city or neighborhood and find out what it has to offer. With many rentals available, you don’t have to break the bank to move by buying a home. Check out online listings to find a home in your price range—some listings have virtual tours, so if you’re moving long distance, you can find a rental without having to visit in person.
Finishing One Thing
Your to-do list can make you feel stressed, especially if you don't think you have the time to tackle it. Often, the tasks important to you get moved aside in favor of daily responsibilities or more urgent priorities.
Pick one thing on your list and create a plan to get it done. Start with a small task if you prefer. You can also break larger tasks into small goals that you conquer over time. Whatever mission or method you choose, stick to it until you complete it and don't jump to something else. Crossing something off your list is very satisfying, and mental relief can be a nice form of self-care.
Self-care methods are different for everyone whether you’re moving to a new home or just getting a massage. The most crucial factor is making time for it and realizing that your efforts — and you — are worth it.
Author: Jenna Sherman
]]>Since teens are our future, it is only right that we would want to see them turn their bright ideas into new business ventures. If you are a youngster with an entrepreneurial mind, then we are here to help. At Jonah’s Hands, we love to see young people bring their dreams to life, so we have some tips for how you can get your first company off the ground.
Understand the Benefits of Starting a Business
If you are on the fence about starting a company, then you should sit down and think about some of the benefits. This is a chance to develop skills that could help you later in life, including time management skills, how to solve problems, and how to talk to employees and vendors, so you will be comfortable once you learn the ropes. You can also learn a lot about money management, which is important as you pay for college and life afterward.
Create a Business Plan
Now that you are set on creating your own enterprise, it is time to put your plans in motion and the first step is to write out a detailed plan of how you expect your company to run from A to Z. In this ZenBusiness start a business guide, they recommend spending a lot of time on this business plan as you outline what your product will be, how you plan to manufacture it, how much money you will need to get off of the ground, where you will find those funds, how many employees will be required, how you plan to market your idea, and more. Get every detail down in writing, and then follow it to the letter until you have reached your goals.
Marketing Your Business With Social Media and GIFs
Once you start manufacturing your product, you will want to begin marketing to the masses. One way that you can do that is by going on social media and using a service like Facebook Adsto create attention-grabbing posts that you can target to a specific audience and get them to come to your website or product page.
Another idea is to create your own GIFs that will add movement to catch your customer’s eye and make your content stand out. A GIF could be a funny caption or a little cartoon. You can make your own by using a free MP4 to GIF converter. You simply upload a video from your computer, trim it down so it shows the best content, and then click download. Then, you can use your new GIFs on your marketing materials.
These are just a few of the tips that you can use to start a business as a teen. Create a smart product and market it with social media and GIFs, and the sky can be the limit for what you achieve. If you want to learn more about Jonah’s Hands, check out our blog here.
Written By: Jenna Sherman
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Crochet can do a number on your hands. Think of how much your hands go through in the course of crocheting. Granted, it’s not working construction or in a dangerous factory all day, but crocheting can be rough on your hands. Our natural healing salve has been proven to work great on hands, but, don’t feel like you have to be an expert, professional crochet artist to get something out of this salve. If you spend your days typing, in an administrative position, or really just using your hands often, you can reap the health benefits of this salve.
Does your skin feel tough? Do you worry that your skin is too dry? Then our salve might be perfect for you. Rich and naturally moisturizing, it can revitalize even the toughest, driest skin. We know that there are no shortage of moisturizing products for your hands available, but this is the one that works for Jonah. When his skin gets dry or cracked around his nails, just a little bit of it can bring his skin all of the way back.
The last thing any of us want to do is put something unnatural and artificial on our skin. That’s why we made sure that this all natural salve blended essential rosemary oil with vitamin E oil and extra-virgin olive oil. While that was good, we knew that we had to give it more. So, we mixed in conditioning yellow beeswax shields as well.
To make this healing hand salve for everyone, we knew that we truly had to make it appealing for everyone: so, it has a natural herbal scent that men and women of all ages find appealing. Too many other salves have that thick, off-putting medicinal odor. This one is the exact opposite.
Yes, this salve will do wonders for your hands, particularly if your skin is feeling rough or dry. However, it’s also been proven to be effective for many other areas of your body, too. As a moisturizer, it’s highly effective for your feet, lips, knees, elbows, and more. Really, if there’s a part of your body with rough or dry skin, this moisturizer can probably help out. It’s just one of the many great products that we offer for crochet enthusiasts and everyone else at our site. You can find them all there.
]]>Many folks, understandably, might think that they just aren’t cut out for crocheting. It can seem intimidating at first: you start with some yarn and a needle, and somehow, at the end of it, you have something impressive like a hat, scarf, or something else. However, while it may seem intimidating at first, it doesn’t have to be. Jonah Larson has many different resources available to help you to learn how to crochet in the way that's best for you. Through these methods, you can find the one that best fits your experience, so that you can have a fun, new hobby.
Crochet has, in a very literal sense, given Jonah so much. Yes, it’s been a wonderful ride for him and everyone at the Jonah’s Hands team, but perhaps the best part of it for Jonah has been the community. Crochet is a vibrant, welcoming community, full of great people who make utterly incredible items. This book has that title because it’s Jonah “giving back” to the crochet community, offering up something that can contribute to the crochet conversation, moving it forward. It’s great for enthusiasts as well as novices alike.
This book has about as many different kinds of crochet products as there are imaginable. From something as small and intricate as baby booties, all the way up to incredible items like blankets, sizable baskets to friendship bracelets, slippers, hats and more - those are just some of the items that Jonah can teach you how to crochet here in this book. There are 27 projects in all that this book shows you how to make in great detail.
This book includes the patterns, yes, but it also includes a stitch guide. Instead of just showing you the final products and saying, “well, you’re on your own,” this book’s stitch guide offers a helping hand in support of those just starting out on their crochet journey. Just following the stitch guide and the patterns recommended in this book can provide you with not just several holidays and birthdays worth of great, thoughtful gifts to give the people you care about, but a hobby that will provide joy and fulfillment. For more, head to our site.
]]>Jonah is all about crochet, yes, but he’s really about the crochet community. For many, “crochet” has this stereotype of people doing it by themselves in a quiet room. Sure, anyone in the crochet community is welcome to crochet however works best for them, but there’s a vibrant, strong, and welcoming crochet community. Jonah has a series of t-shirts that celebrate this community, welcoming in anyone who wants to be a part of it. Shirts like “Brochet” (depicting a fist bump) as well as the ones that say “crochet away” are all a part of this. You can celebrate this community with this apparel.
Even summer has days that are a bit windy, a bit chilly. If you go out on the water, for example, you may find yourself in an area that’s cool even on the hottest day. Besides, summer, wondrous as it is, eventually gives way to autumn and the cold. What we’re saying is that there’s no bad time to get an awesome hat. There are plenty of great hats available at our site. Between the “chunky hat with pom pom,” “toasty tweed hat,” “shell stitch hat” and “pom pom hat,” you can find a hat that matches the temperature as well as your style.
We know that when you’re looking for apparel online, you want something unique. At our site, many of the items that we have are handmade. For example, each of the hats mentioned in the above paragraph are made by hand. So, that means that they’re constructed with the epitome of craftsmanship. These hats will stand the test of time, no matter how you wear them. Moreover, they’re entirely unique. When something is made by hand, that means that it will have subtle differences that make it different from any other hat in the world. That’s the kind of apparel you can find at our site.
Each of the items we offer at our site make for great gifts. While everyone else is giving clothes that just fit the given, trendy style, you can give someone the kind of unique gift that shows you were really thinking about them. Beyond that, there’s nothing wrong with giving yourself a gift. At our site, you can find the kind of stylish gifts that will pay fashion dividends throughout the year. YOu can find our complete catalog at our site.
]]>Everyone learns differently. Some learn best through “hands on” experience. Others pick up things the fastest when they have someone walk them through the process. Many others learn best from a combination of both: they watch someone do it, and then, they try it themselves. Jonah has the kinds of learning materials that can help, no matter how you learn best.
Over the years, many have learned how to crochet through reading a book. What’s great about a book is that you can keep going back to it to pick up the information again. Videos and audio lectures are fantastic for many people, but for some, they have to keep clicking back to hear what the instructor said. With a book, it’s all laid out in front of you. Jonah Larson’s book, “Hello Crochet Friends” can show you how to crochet in simple, easy steps. From just looking through this book, you can gain the kind of foundation that can set you up for crochet success.
Jonah’s DVDs and videos have helped many to crochet how they want. In the videos, you can actually watch Jonah crochet. It’s one thing for our site to be called “Jonah’s Hands,” but when you actually see them at work for yourself with your own eyes it can be a different experience entirely. Obviously, you aren’t going to crochet like Jonah the first few (or first several) times that you watch the videos, but you can clearly see, step by step, how he did it. Instead of just looking at a marvelous completed product and wondering “how did that happen,” you can see it as it’s built, moment by moment. Then, you can try it for yourself.
In our culture, sometimes, we’re too afraid of failing. “Failing,” or rather, “trying something new and working our way through mistakes” is part of learning, and really, part of life. That’s how we grow, how we ultimately succeed. All of the most successful people you’ve seen, in practically any field, were once upon a time beginners and novices. They had to work their way up, making mistakes, growing, and learning all the while. With Jonah’s teachings, you can take the frustration out of learning to crochet, so that you can just experience the fun. To check it out for yourself, head to our site.
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Just about everything starts with fundamentals, the absolute basics that you need to know. Jonah makes sure to cover those in great detail in these tutorials. They give beginners what they need to get started off right. For those that have crocheted before, these basics can be a fantastic refresher course, helping them to really dig into the skills they might have learned in the past, or giving them a new perspective on something they might already be familiar with. So, early on, Jonah covers foundational crochet terms as well as techniques.
When you hear “educational tutorial,” most people think of something like a traditional college lecture, as if these tutorials were just Jonah talking for a few hours or something. Nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, in these tutorials, Jonah doesn’t just tell you what to do, he shows you. Moreover, he shows in great, in-depth detail. For example, at the very beginning, he covers how to crochet four stitches. But then he shows you how he does it. You can see it first hand. You don’t have to rely on hearing it and then putting it into practice: you can pause the video, go back, and crochet along with him.
Once you’ve mastered the basics, then you can go on to do what you want. That means learning how to hold the hook and the yarn, making a slip knot and foundation chain, joining with a slip stitch, fasten off stitch, weave in yarn ends, work a half-double crochet stitch, work a double crochet stitch, and many others. Does that all sound a bit complicated and jargon-filled? That’s okay! It won’t after you watch for a while.
Often, when you watch some kind of tutorial, the idea is that, at the end, you’ll have some skill, ability, and knowledge that you didn’t have before. With this tutorial, you’ll have more than that: you’ll have five coasters! Yes, you’ll be able to crochet five coasters, which you can use around your home to keep drinks from staining your furniture. Alternatively, they make great gifts for the people in your life too. You can get all of this and more from our site.
]]>“April showers bring May flowers.” That’s something we’ve all heard before in a literal sense. The idea is that the more it rains in April (when, for much of North America, it tends to rain a lot) will eventually lead to a beautiful month of May. In our year of 2020, we hope that it's true metaphorically: that the difficulties of this month of April, when we’re all doing our part by staying inside and self-distancing, can lead to a future time when it’s beautiful, where we’re able to go out and enjoy all of nature’s splendor, together. At Jonah’s Hands shop, you can find items that will fit in at any time of year.
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When you think about it, is there any piece of clothing more versatile than the sweatshirt? You can wear a well-made, cool-looking sweatshirt at practically any time of year, no matter what. You can wear them on a chilly day, to keep you warm. When it’s hot out, you can wear a sweatshirt as it probably won’t overheat you. It works for any activity too. You can be hard at work studying, crocheting, out playing with friends, cleaning up, or just sitting around watching TV - there’s practically nothing a sweatshirt can’t do. A Jonah’s Hands crewneck sweatshirt can be just the universal piece of clothing you’re looking for.
That’s the message on one of our most popular Jonah’s Hands t-shirts. During this incredibly difficult time, it’s natural to feel like we’re more disconnected than before. After all, we can’t really be around each other, not closer than six feet. But, for so many of us, we’re closer than we ever were before. There are kinds of technology that allow us to catch up with family members, friends and more that we might not have talked to as much in the past. This t-shirt celebrates that, embracing the fact that the things that connect us are more than the things that divide us. That said, these shirts also look pretty cool to boot.
There are very few hobbies which are a great amount of fun, a true art form, and then, when you’re done at the end, you get something really cool that you can actually use. That’s crochet. Celebrating just how cool crochet is, the “Brochet” t-shirt is one of our most beloved shirts for a reason. Featuring a fist bump over the word “Brochet,” this shirt is one more way to exemplify just how enjoyable crochet can be.
Most people, whether they realize it or not, have a little crochet in them. Since Jonah started his tutorials, he’s been amazed by the incredible things that people make, their passion for the art form. You can take these tutorials and learn how to crochet yourself. For our complete catalog, head to the site.
]]>I’m at home with my family in Wisconsin. We are self quarantining. Dad is doing lots of cooking and Mom is doing lots of baking and culling, as she puts it. My siblings and I are doing online school. I’m getting in lots of crocheting and some knitting too.
I hope you all are safe and staying at home. I made a blanket from loop yarn to remind everyone to “stay home”. Making those words were harder than I thought but they turned out in the end. Stay safe friends and crochet away!
Hello Crochet Friends! I take the Coronavirus very seriously. Here's my message for all of you, especially the younger folks:
]]>Have you ever received a gift out of the blue? Sure, it’s wonderful to get something on your birthday or during the holidays, but some of the most special gifts we ever receive are those that someone gives to us seemingly out of nowhere. Those tend to be the gifts with the most thought behind them, given for the sheer reason that someone who cares about us wants us to be happy. You can find plenty of gifts like that at the Jonah’s Hands store. Sure, there might not be any holidays on the immediate horizon, but this is certainly a time when someone could use a pick me up.
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It’s recommended that most folks get outside every now and then. Sure, as of this writing, we’re all staying at home as much as possible. That's for many good reasons: to slow and stop the spread of the virus, to help those among us who might be at the greatest risk of the virus, and so many other reasons. However, it is still good, every now and then, while taking great care, wearing a mask, and maintaining social distancing, to go outside for a walk or run too. In spring, it can still be a bit chilly in some parts of the country. That’s where a jacket from Jonah Hands comes in handy. These jackets are stylish, plenty warm, yet very “cool.” There may be a delay in shipping due to the virus, but we’ll be taking orders as they come in.
The message of so much of Jonah’s apparel has always been, in part, that it’s okay to pursue your dreams and do what you love, no matter what it is. As long as you love it with your heart, you should pursue it with all you’ve got. That’s a part of what “Crochet Away” means. However, at this time, it also doubles as a message about the importance of social distancing, too. Yes, you should “crochet away,” as in “you should crochet, over there, six feet from me at least, so that we can all do our part to help those we love.” An important message at the right time - that’s what you’ll get with this apparel. Of course, it helps that it looks great too!
You might think to yourself, “well, I’d like to buy some of these things, but I’m not exactly sure if any of them are right for my needs.” Have you considered making something yourself? At our site, you can find plenty of great items that you can make yourself. That might make for an even more special gift. It’s hard to get more “gift from the heart” than something you created with your own mind, your own hands, and your own love. To see everything that we have in the catalog, just head to our site.
]]>Art is wonderful in so many ways. You can appreciate it to look at it, to experience it, and there’s something very special about creating it yourself. It can be therapeutic, something to feel good about and fall back on, even when times are very tough. At the time of this writing, the COVID-19 pandemic is making life very hard for people all over. Crochet can help in small but important ways. If you’re looking for great products or to take up a new hobby, Jonah’s Hands crochet items and tutorials can help.
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This blog was written in early spring. That means different things to different parts of the country. In some areas, the temperatures will be warm, almost summer-like. In others, they’ll be cold, with snow still a real possibility. Jonah has crochet items that can help in both environs as well as any others. Here, you can find a crochet hat to keep your head warm even when it’s frosty out, as well as t-shirts that can keep you cool on a hot day. These items are made with the kind of care and love that you would expect.
It’s important to take care of yourself physically in difficult times like this. That means eating right, getting in some exercise, and so forth. But, it also means taking care of your emotional and mental health as well. Reading the news constantly, fixating on your own concerns, and so forth, can really take a toll mentally. Having something to occupy your time, to take your mind off of things, can do wonders for your quality of life. Crochet can do that. When you get into crocheting, you’ll be able to partake in a fun activity, that, when you’re done, can leave you with some truly awesome items.
Setting goals is beneficial to many people. By having something to focus on, something to strive towards, that makes it easier to focus. Plus, when you reach it, that comes with a great feeling of satisfaction. Many are using Jonah’s tutorials to get into crochet or to take their crocheting to another level. On top of that, plenty of folks have found a kind of peace in choosing one of Jonah’s crochet designs and focusing on that. By doing so, you could come out with something that you could give to someone you care about. That “someone” could even be yourself.
When folks see something of Jonah’s that’s professionally crocheted, there might be a slight feeling of: “I don’t think I could ever do that.” However, there are design plans and more that can help you to do exactly that: to make the items that Jonah crochets. Between the tutorials and more, there’s a way to crochet something that you or someone you care about will enjoy. Whether you’re picking up a new hobby, or looking to take your mind off of things, you can find everything you need right here.
]]>Everyone could use a tote bag! That’s not just because they are great to casually carry your stuff around, but also because they are very useful if you share Jonah’s love for crocheting! You can get your own Jonah’s Hands canvas tote bags for you to carry around your projects, yarn, hooks, and scissors. This way you can crochet wherever you go, whenever you have some free time. Of course, these tote bags aren’t just for crochet supplies (although they are certainly great for that!). You can use them to carry around just about anything you need on a daily basis. The cute designs on them are bound to spread some positivity wherever you go!
Patches are a great way for you to personalize all sorts of items such as bags, jackets, or even your room! At the Jonah’s Hands store, you can find several different patches meant to spread Jonah’s love for what he does and where he’s from. Whether they are expressing love for his birthplace of Ethiopia or for his passion for crochet, you too can share a little bit of his pride with one of the many patches offered in his store. There’s also the very popular Jonah’s Crochet Utility Jacket that has several of our patches on them, along with plenty of room for more patches and pins to personalize it and make it your own!
What is a better way to start your day than with a beautiful mug with a positive message on it? If you too wish to enjoy Jonah’s passion for crochet or maybe a little piece of his positive attitude, the mugs available on the Jonah’s Hands website are a great match for you. There are mugs available in plenty of different styles and sizes, so you are sure to find one that perfectly matches your style and your beverage of choice. Regardless of your taste, we have plenty of different options for you to enjoy, each with a unique design and an inspirational message.
With the help of the internet, Jonah is able to share his wonderful hobby with people everywhere through his crocheted items, or through pieces of apparel or decor that evoke that same passion. Get in on the love for crochet and look for merchandise that spark your love for the craft. And of course, remember that every purchase supports Jonah’s business which in turn supports Roots Ethiopia, a non-profit organization that funds educational initiatives in rural Ethiopia.
]]>A big reason behind Jonah’s recent popularity was his YouTube channel. He started his channel in early 2019, and he has earned well over sixty-thousand subscribers since! Jonah has used the channel mainly to share his creations with others, but also to unbox some of the many packages he’s received and to showcase some of his merchandise. You will also be able to find some excellent tutorials that can teach you how to make crochet creations by yourself. Don’t worry, even though Jonah is a very fast crocheter, he slows down when he’s showing others how to do it. Even if you don’t have a lot of experience with crochet, you should be able to pick up a few skills with Jonah’s videos.
However, if you want a more comprehensive look into the basics of crocheting in order to eventually set you off on your own, you might want to take a look at the “Learn to Crochet with Jonah” DVD available on the Jonah’s Hands website. In this series of video tutorials, Jonah shows you everything you need to know to properly learn how to crochet. He starts off by showing you how to hold the hook and yarn and by the end of the DVD you will have learned how to crochet full coasters and bracelets using a variety of different techniques, colors, and stitches. If you are interested in really digging into the world of crocheting, this is the tutorial for you.
If you are looking to learn a little bit about Jonah himself and the story behind his love for crochet, his book Hello, Crochet Friends! will prove to be quite a wonderful read. In it, Jonah explores why he loves making art and how it helps him on a daily basis. Here, he introduces crocheting, why it’s so special to him, and what you can learn from it (just like he did!). If you want to make reading the book even more special, you can purchase an autographed and personalized copy from this website. There isn’t a better look into the world of crochet than Jonah’s Hands crochet book, you can count on that.
]]>By browsing the Jonah’s Hands website, you will be able to find his online store. Sometimes Jonah uses his store to sell some of his many special crochet creations. The store is named “Jonah’s Hands” because every item he sells on it has gone through his hands somehow. After all, these are the hands that do all of the crocheting. Among the many different pieces he makes, some of his favorites include hats, scarves, mittens, gloves, and afghans. He also designs the merchandise on the website and has several popular t-shirts and tote bags for you to spread the love of crochet too!
Of course, since every crochet item is made by Jonah himself, these are not available year-round. He has to focus on his own middle school studies (especially if he wants to make his dream of being a surgeon a reality), so whenever he’s unable to crochet items for his store you can find plenty of other items you can purchase to support him and the charity he’s partnered with. Whether you want clothing apparel, books, tutorials, or cool memorabilia, you will be able to find it on the Jonah’s Hands shop. The best part? With your purchases, you are actually helping Jonah and his philanthropic work by supporting him. He has partnered with Roots Ethiopia, an organization that funds education initiatives in Jonah’s birth country, to support their cause.
You only need to watch some of Jonah’s interviews on TV to see that he has a lot of love for crocheting and that he really wants to make other people happy with his craft. That is why he has chosen to share it with people everywhere, be it through the crocheted items themselves, or through pieces of apparel or decoration that evoke that same passion. In choosing to, collaborate with Roots Ethiopia, he gets to put out as much good into the world as he gets out of his love for crocheting everyday. You can browse through the Jonah’s Hands store website in search of the perfect item for you or you can directly donate to Jonah’s GoFundMe.
]]>Jonah’s Hands store is a way for passionate crocheter Jonah Larson to share his talent with the world. Here you can see some of his many crochet projects and watch tutorials on how to make your own creations. You can also enjoy his love for crochet with the merchandise in his online store! Whether you want apparel, books, how-to DVDs, tutorials, or cool memorabilia, you will be able to find it on the Jonah’s Hands site. The best part? With your purchases, you are actually helping kids in need by helping Jonah grow his business. Jonah raises money by auctioning his crocheted items and by contributions from celebrities, crochet friends and people around the world. Many of these contributions are made through his GoFundMe account.
Roots Ethiopia is a charitable organization that helps kids and families in rural Ethiopia, where Jonah himself was born. Because of the money raised from Jonah’s projects and the generous contributions of donors, they are able to provide Ethiopian schools with books, learning tools, and even libraries and science labs! They even have a scholarship fund that sponsors students who may not have the resources to pay for their education. As their mission statement reads, “Every donation makes a child’s world a little bit bigger and widens the door to new opportunities. Your contribution today means Ethiopian students will have the resources they need to start school, stay in school, and succeed in school.”
Never underestimate the power that a small donation can have! A $10 donation can provide three new textbooks for a library. It can fill up a student’s backpack with the supplies they need. It can even add up for the school to buy new items they might need, such as blackboards, microscopes, or training for their instructors. Most importantly, donations can help sponsor students’ education when their family lacks the resources needed for them to attend school.
There is more than one way in which you can support Jonah’s Hands, LLC and Roots Ethiopia! For example, Website Depot collaborates with Jonah’s Hands by helping him spread his message. You can also help them directly by contributing to Jonah’s GoFundMe. You will be part of the community that helps kids in Ethiopia have access to the education they need and deserve. Every dollar makes a difference.
]]>I’m super excited about this book and hope you will enjoy it. My publisher is Annie’s and they are wonderful to work with. They are experts on pattern books. The book will be released in July, 2020.
Read the article about the book in The LaCrosse Tribune.
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They have taught me to be strong, confident and kind. And, they shared with me the importance of giving back to others. It’s true...giving back feels good. The library and science lab I’m building in Ethiopia makes me happy and does so much good for others. Giving to others is a win-win. My whole family takes part in my Jonah’s Hands business. My mom is my “Mom-ager”, my dad is my hat model and drives me to the yarn stores, my big brother Leif helps me with my videos and social media and my little sister Mercy is my yarn winder! Everyone plays an important role. We are a team. And like my mom always says, we are all the “lucky ones”.
]]>About an hour later my mom came back to check on me. She says now that she was sure I’d have a big mess of tangled yarn on the table. But instead, I made her a dishcloth that she still has and uses today! From that day on, I was hooked! I continued to watch tutorials and learn more difficult stitches. I enjoyed making items from the designs I had imagined in my head. Much like basketball is my favorite hobby for my brother, crochet became my favorite hobby. It relaxes me. It makes me happy. I also like to play sports and continue to be an avid reader but my crochet hook is always with me. The picture attached is of me with the frequently used dishcloth I had first made along with the hook I found in the bag that changed my life.
]]>First, I only have two hands. In 3 months time, I had over 4,500 requests until my mom stopped counting. Since then, I’ve had several thousand more requests across all of the social media channels that reach people worldwide. It’s very overwhelming to me. I’m glad my mom helps me with responding.
Second, when I make the same item multiple times (like the Jonah Cowl), it takes the fun out of it for me. I crochet to relax and I never want it to turn into “work”. I have a lot of fun making original pieces that I really don’t plan to make again.
Lastly, I have several other interests that occupy my time. I love to spend time with my family. Academics are very important in our household so I have high expectations there (good thing I’m advanced in math!). I love to read and it’s one of the reasons why I’m raising money to build libraries in Ethiopia where I was born. And my brother loves it when I play baseball, basketball and football with him. I like to run cross country and also am involved in track. We also have religion classes each week that require my time and attention. And I really love to play with my two dogs, Bella and Charlie. I’m very busy and that’s the way I like it. My mind is busy and that’s why creating items with yarn is so relaxing for me.
Those are some of the reasons why I don’t sell my items. But I do have goals for the future. I want to learn how to write patterns so people can have access to my work. Right now my patterns are in my head. And when I write my next book it will be a pattern book so I can share my favorites with you all. Another way to support me is to spread the message that crochet brings the world together. You can do this by wearing my tees, sharing my book, carrying my totes, or putting my pins and patches on your jacket! These are all good ways to keep others interested in crochet. Thank you for supporting me and encouraging me along my journey. It’s all of you that keep me wanting to create new, beautiful items. Crochet Away friends!
Update: As of January 2021, Jonah has started selling some of his handmade items as time allows. He still does not take custom orders.
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Lately I've been making lots of vintage doilies. I enjoy working with crochet thread and love the intricate stitching. This year I won Best of Show at the county fair on my Evocation doily. Many people ask me if I block my doilies. The answer is ”absolutely”. If you want to see the beautiful pattern in your doily, you must go through the process. I really like this part because it signifies the last step of my project before I can present it, or gift it, or use it. I use a mixture of water and starch and wet the item with it. I lay it on a foam blocking board and carefully pin the stitches, starting from the inside, until it has perfect form. Sometimes I use between 150-200 pins depending on the size of the item. I then lay it on a rack outside to dry or even use a blow dryer. It's fun to take the pins out and see the perfectly shaped doily! Here's a picture of me blocking the Crown of Majesty doily. It's a tedious job but well worth the results.
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