LIFESTYLE | TASUTWA | CROTCHETS

According to research, both knitting and crochet were born from a technique called Nålebinding, which literally means "binding with a needle" in Danish. 

The oldest known example of Nålebinding is believed to date back to 6500 BC. 

Judging from the time that crocheting came from, it is amazing how the product of crocheting is still considered vogue in the fashion world, especially by millennials of today.

Flavia Tasutwa for two years now has been exploiting the benefits crocheting has brought her. Growing up watching her mother crotchet stamped an everlasting memory of the craft in the 24-year-old’s memory. It was only a matter of time before she could put her hands on the hook and yarn to give the world what she called "Seraphitah_Crochets." Join me as we explore her story.

It was in 2019 when Tasutwa had to skip a semester at Nkumba University, where she was pursuing her degree in public administration and management. 

Her parents, Grace Wachemba and Charles Bogere, who are both police officers, could not raise her tuition at the time.

Seeing that she had no chance of going to school at the time, she decided to tap into her childhood memories of watching her mother crochet so that she could stay busy all through her hiatus from school.

"With admiration for the craft, I used to watch my mother make table clothes, sweaters, and as a kid, I had always looked forward to a time when I would be able to make my own crotchet products, and being home gave me the chance to start crocheting."

For Tasutwa, holding a hook and yarn was all that mattered because she had memorised everything her mother used to do while making products during her childhood. All she needed was to come up with a design.

"All I needed was to come up with a design and I was good to go because even as a child, I used to stealthily make some small products using my mam’s yarn and hook."

Coupled with research through YouTube, it was not so long before she became perfect with the designs. What makes her products unique is the fact that she takes the risk of trying out new styles. 

"I do unique crotchets because I have always wanted to be a better version of what my mother used to be; I wanted to make her proud," she says.

Her starting capital was Ushs8000 which she used to buy four rolls of yarn and a needle. Although her first product was not as good, Tasutwa says that she is glad that she took that step to start doing something she had always liked.

Currently, her most unique product is the shrug shirts, a product she says is not common amongst her competition because they are time-consuming. In addition, beaded bags are the most preferred product from her collection because, according to her, she sells about 30 bags a month, and if all is well, she is able to make at least more than Ushs1,3000,000 a month or even more.

What makes Tasutwa's products unique is the fact that she takes the risk of trying out new styles. 

Through the crotchet business, Tasutwa says she has been able to afford a decent life, pay her rent, keep her dream alive, and grow a loyal clientele base, especially among Rastafarians.

Challenges

"I get so confused with colours sometimes. There was a time I was making an attire when I ran out of yarn. When I went to buy an additional role, I totally picked a different color."

She added that sometimes impatient customers also become a challenge to her work; "Some clients want products so quickly, and yet sometimes doing certain designs takes a longer time compared to others, but clients don’t get that."

Mistakes

"There was a time I made wrong measurements of a client, but since then I have learnt to always take my time to get the right measurements of the client."

Training

"Currently I am training seven people how to crotchet and how to make bags, so that in case I have orders I can’t handle, I can hand them over to them."

Tasutwa’s students speak

Over time, Tasutwa has been able to train some girls in crocheting. They share what they have learnt and what plans they have going forward.

"It has been a year now since she encouraged me to start learning how to crotchet, but I am glad that right now, I am able to make my own products such as bags, sweaters, and I am still working on my craft to perfect my work in making clothes," said Catherine Nakintu

She added that she plans on pulling resources together with Tasutwa to establish a business where they can both work to build a brand and a variety of products.

Carol Nimanja has been a student for two years now and currently makes a variety of products. Nimanja says although she does not have a lot of clients, at least she is able to make some money out of the few products that she is making, "I move with my product and market to potential clients. I am grateful to Tasutwa for her effort in teaching me.

“Crotchet is not just about yarn and needles, it a lifestyle, it's fashion. Tasutwa is a mighty brand that will empower many young girls with simple cute outfits but also a money-making venture for those that can keep up with the trends. 

Crotchets helped me not get in trouble during lockdown and I like the fact that she is now expanding, the brand not only makes yarn apparel, she is into bead accessories like bags, purses and much more,” said Elsie Nabutiti, one of her students

Dreams

"I dream of having a big crotchet shop because I have not seen any in Kampala. The aim is to make sure that I become a one-stop centre for these items such as yarn, crotchet items, and needles."