Crochet Inspiration: An Interview with Jonah Larson
This child crochet prodigy hopes to inspire and unite the world through his favorite hobby.
With equal parts inspiration and fascination, the story of Jonah Larson has taken more than just the crochet world by storm.
Nearly everyone, whether they crochet or not, has heard about the impressive young boy from Wisconsin who has become a master crocheter before most even think to pick up a crochet hook.
Not only has Jonah impressed the world with his age but his lightning-fast crocheting speed is revered by many. It often takes decades to build up to the crochet projects and pace we see from Jonah and he's only been crocheting for a few years.
Although he's been crocheting since he was 5 (after finding a crochet hook in a bag of crafts and learning by watching crochet video tutorials), it was his more recent Jonah's Hands Instagram account and Facebook page that started much of the buzz behind this prodigy.
People started to take notice of his beautiful crochet pieces and it was only a matter of time before his story went viral and he gained more fans or "crochet friends" as he calls them. Jonah now has a new YouTube Channel where you can keep up with his unboxing, crocheting, and personal updates.
Here at AllFreeCrochet, we are all in awe of his talent but, more importantly, that he uses his skills to teach and inspire so many.
He also helps raise money and awareness for Roots Ethiopia, a non-profit organization located in the Ethiopian village where he was born.
Meet Jonah and his family and watch how fast he crochets in this segment from USA Today.
After reading and watching all of these wonderful stories and talking with Jonah's mom, Jennifer, it is clear to me that Jonah is a kind-hearted and level-headed old soul who wants to help the world as much as he can while still enjoying being a child.
He has a great family and a better balance of everything going on in his life than most. He even took time out of his busy schedule to answer some of our burning questions.
Do you like to do anything while crocheting, like watching TV or listening to audiobooks?
"I like to listen to music. I like a wide variety from new music to old country favorites like Patsy Cline, George Jones, and Johnny Cash. I also watch historical documentaries. I'm intrigued by the past."
How do you find patterns to crochet?
"I like to look at Pinterest for patterns and when I see something that interests me I put it in a folder. Then when I have yarn that I want to use I go back and find a pattern that suits the yarn."
How do you choose colors/yarn to use?
"I typically find a texture and color of yarn that intrigues me and then I think carefully how the different colors will complement each other. Sometimes I use colors that aren't typically popular to see if I can make something magical with the unique color combinations."
Do you make any yourself? If so, do you share your patterns?
"I do occasionally design my own work but the patterns are in my head. I usually design as I go...and writing down the directions isn't part of my creative process. But, it is a goal of mine to write down those that are quite popular. If I use someone else's pattern I like to share it when I display my finished project."
What are your favorite projects to crochet?
"My favorite project is usually the one I'm working on at the time. I choose patterns to help me learn something new like a new stitch or a different yarn so I keep it interesting. If I had to choose one, it would be afghans."
Have you ever tried knitting or other yarn crafts?
"I have tried loom knitting when I was little and enjoyed that as an introduction to working with fiber. I have knit a few items. I have deep respect for all knitters but I am a diehard crocheter. Recently I've been learning broomstick and hairpin lace."
Which project has been the most challenging for you so far?
"It would be my Puff Flower Afghan (shown in image above). Not because it was hard, puff flowers are easy. It's making 800 of them and sewing them together that's hard. I wanted to stop many times but it was a lesson in persistence from my mom that saw the project through."
How big is your yarn stash?
"I have a huge yarn stash, about 30 totes of yarn in our storage room. Although we've attempted to sort them by fiber, the tote system isn't ideal. I really need to figure out a way to display my beautiful yarn so I can see all I have."
What advice do you have for people considering taking up crochet/just starting crochet?
"I don't want people to think they have to speed crochet and make as many projects as I do. The goal is making a beautiful item to help you relax even if that's one project per year. It's not speed, it's quality and the enjoyment of making beautiful items for others. I started with a dishcloth and I still enjoy making them."
Since you crochet so quickly, we're curious, do you have any tips for slow crocheters and how they can speed up their crocheting?
"This is difficult to answer because I never intended to speed crochet. It just happened. I am very focused when I crochet my fastest and like a quiet space without distractions. I imagine the speed comes with practice too."
If you had all of the time and yarn in the world, what would your "dream" project be?
"I would want to make afghans that represent every country in the world to show how crocheting unites us all."
Keep up with Jonah through his social media platforms because he's just getting started. He even wrote a book, Hello, Crochet Friends! Making Art, Being Mindful, and Giving Back: Do What Makes You Happy.
What inspires you most about Jonah?