The Joy of Making It By Hand
There’s a quiet kind of joy that comes from making something with your hands — from turning a ball of yarn into something beautiful, useful, and completely your own. Crochet, for me, has become more than a craft. It’s a reminder of where I came from, the people who inspire me, and the simple beauty of creating something handmade.
How It All Started
About five years ago, I was down the shore with my family when my sister-in-law brought out some yarn and started crocheting a baby blanket for her friend. I was instantly curious — watching her work was oddly calming. That year, she gifted me a beginner’s crochet kit for my birthday. I learned the single and half-double crochet, made one scarf for my mom for Christmas, and then… put the hook away.
It wasn’t that I didn’t enjoy it — I just hadn’t found my connection yet.
Fast forward to the beginning of this year. I picked the hook back up, learned how to crochet in a circle, and suddenly everything clicked. My creativity felt supercharged, and this time, I didn’t put it down.
Threads of Family and Memory
Crochet takes me back to my Oma, who used to knit everyone — and I mean everyone — a pair of booties. It became part of her legacy. My mom and I both tried knitting several times, but it never stuck. Crochet, though, somehow felt more natural for us.
When my mom mentioned wanting to recreate my Oma’s booties, I offered to try with her. She loved the idea — and before long, I was deep into creating pairs myself. One day, I gave my Opa his pair during a simple lunch together. It wasn’t a teary moment (we’re German — if you know, you know), but he looked at the booties, looked at me, and said quietly, “You’re like your Oma.”
That was it. A core memory made.
From Hobby to Heartfelt Business
What began as a nostalgic hobby soon became a passion that shaped my small business — Handmade by Erika Liesel Every milestone brings a new wave of gratitude: my first sale, my first wholesale order, my first collection launch. Each one reminds me that handmade is powerful — that something as simple as yarn and patience can connect generations and spark joy in someone else’s life.
Every time someone chooses one of my crochet baskets, scarves, or keychains, I’m filled with warmth knowing it was made completely from the heart.
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Why Making It By Hand Still Matters
In a fast-moving, factory-made world, handmade work stands out. It slows things down. It teaches patience, care, and appreciation for imperfection. Every stitch carries intention. Every finished piece holds a story.
Crochet has taught me that the joy isn’t just in what you make — it’s in the making itself. It’s in the quiet evenings spent with yarn, in learning new stitches, and in seeing others smile when they hold something you made by hand.