Jonah Larson is a 12-year-old on a mission to change the world in an unexpected way: through crochet. The talented young fiber artist has fundraised enough to build a library for kids in the village in Ethiopia where he was born, and now, he’s raising money for a science lab for these students halfway around the world.
The Wisconsin tween also teaches crochet, does speaking engagements and has authored books, including “Hello, Crochet Friends! Making Art, Being Mindful, Giving Back: Do What Makes You Happy.”
Doing what makes you happy is a theme in his work.
“He gives presentations to kids on ‘do what makes you happy’ even if it’s not what everyone else is doing,” his mother, Jennifer Larson, told People.
All those efforts are the result of his fondness for crochet and the beautiful paintings he has created, and he has become addicted from the beginning.
“It’s a coincidence that I discovered crochet,” he told Simply Crochet. “When I was five, my aunt gave the young people a bag of handicrafts that she no longer wanted, and when I looked at her, I discovered a sharp object. I asked Mom what it was and it was a hook. She did not know crochet, so she helped me locate an instruction on YouTube.”
He finished his first crochet project, a kitchen cloth, the same day. From this first tutorial, Larson temporarily moved on to larger, bolder projects.
May the four of you be with you! #amigurumi #crochet #bathroughyoda #bathroughyodacrochet #starwars #dowhatyoulove #ilovecrochet #alien #maker #makersgonnamake #yarn – maythefourthbewithyou #bernathandicrafter #yarnspirations The Hatching Alien style is loose and designed through ? kaytedid86
A shared post through Jonah’s Hands (@jonahhands) on May 4, 2020 at 10:31 am PDT
As his hands became faster and his dot patterns more colorful and complex, he began to win awards for his excellent work. But, he saw something more valuable than a blanket or a hat with the task completed. In fact, Larson believes crochet can bring other people together.
Larson turned his hobby into an opportunity to teach others the trade he enjoyed so much. He posted tutorials on social media, created a YouTube channel, with 82,000 followers, and online activities, either of the two calls Jonah’s Hands. Your Instagram account has 265,000 followers!
Fourth of July is the same day I became an American! When I was little, my mother told me that all the fireworks were due when I arrived ?. These are two countries I really appreciate. This is called spectrum policy and you can get the loose style and see the thread I used on my online page www.jonahhands.com or tap the link on my timeline. USA #etiopía – 4thofjuillet #americana #afghan #crochet #crochetersofinstagram #yarnspirations #redheartyarns #adoption #neverforget #giveback #makersgonnamake #crafter #crafting #hobby #dowhatyoulove #fiberartist #fiberblartayyarnindependeparfait
A shared post through Jonah’s Hands (@jonahhands) on July 4, 2020 at 6:49 a.m. PDT
At first, Larson sold his own craft projects, but the call has become so strong that he and his mother deserve to prevent and focus their attention on their love of the trade and devote their time to training others and charity work.
One of his favorite reasons was to help build a library in Ethiopia, a country from which he was adopted. Lately he has worked with Roots Ethiopia, an organization that works in the country’s schools for all its children.
Please check out my GoFundMe page If you’d like to help. Link in bio. ??❤️. Posted @withrepost • @globalpositivenews Ever since the age of 5, 11-year-old Jonah Larson (@jonahhands), WI, has been obsessed with crocheting. His first techniques he learned from YouTube tutorials and he quickly became very good at it. + As he became more prolific, he started to sell some of his creations on Instagram. He also donates to the Ethiopian orphanage he was adopted from. — Photo: @jonahhands ••• @globalpositivenews @globalpositivenews @globalpositivenews . . . #kindness #kindnessmatters #randomactsofkindness #actsofkindness #caring #heartwarming #positivepsychology #globalpositivenews #news #tanksgoodnews #Positivenews #positivenergy #positivity #onemillionactsofgood #mademecry #imnotcrying #imnotcryingyouarecrying #crochet #crocheting #orphan #givingback
A post shared by Jonah’s Hands (@jonahhands) on Feb 25, 2019 at 7:41pm PST
“Hello, supporters! If you followed me, you will know that I finished the construction of a library in my village in Ethiopia, where I was born. Now I’m working on building a scientific facility for them. My dream is to go back to Ethiopia to see the library.” and meet the young people who have been affected,” his mother wrote on his GoFundMe page in March.
He raised more than $27,000. That this young man will not only make his dream come true, but that love in each and every point he creates will help to gather the hopes and dreams of many others!