Yarn took the yawn out of lockdown and made an entrepreneur of this teen

A 13-year-old Durban boy has taken being “hooked” on YouTube tutorials to a new level.

Kalon Reddy learnt to crochet via the video-sharing website in less than a month and is now selling his wares online.

The Grade 8 pupil said he watched a video about crocheting on TikTok during last year’s lockdown, but only started to watch tutorials on the needlework technique on YouTube a month ago.

With a crochet hook and wool in his hands, Kalon started to explore the Japanese art of amigurumi to create stuffed animals.

“It kept me occupied for hours and in the end I was able to make things that myself and everyone around me loves,” he said.

Kalon created elephants, bees, a dinosaur, whales and, using a standard method, made a blanket, two cardigans and crop tops for his sister.

“I like making things. It’s easy and calming,” he said.

It takes Kalon about two and a half hours to complete a piece. A blanket could take weeks, but the youngster is patient as he loves needlework.

He learnt to knit at the age of eight while in aftercare.

“The aftercare teachers taught me how to knit. My mom took me to a craft shop in which there was so much wool and I asked her to buy me knitting needles and wool,” he said.

These examples represent the two massive advantages of YouTube and other video platforms as instructional media: on the one hand they represent an unpressurised ‘classroom’ that allows kids to learn at their own pace without any judgment or consequences, and on the other, they provide a great way to learn cool new skills in one’s own time, at minimal cost.

—  Technology expert Arthur Goldstuck

A week ago his mother, Zandile Qono, posted photographs of the stuffed animals on Facebook and within a day “Kalon’s Krafts” was born and his creations listed on an online store that supports local entrepreneurs.

Qono said she was not surprised to see Kalon’s creations, but was impressed with the stuffed animals.

“Kalon has always been creative. He started with a cropped top for my daughter, then went on to the stuffed animals. I commissioned the elephant after he made me a whale. I asked him if I could post the whale on my Facebook, but he wouldn’t allow me to because he said that he’s not completely happy with his craftsmanship on the whale. He is also very critical of himself.

“I loved the whale. But when he presented the elephant, I understood what he meant. My friends on Facebook gave us the idea of an online store and it was warmly received and admired by my friends. I’m also thankful for the idea of a label and the promise of their support,” she said.

Kalon also learnt to bake via YouTube and while chatting to Sunday Times Daily, a loaf of bread was already in the oven.

Technology expert Arthur Goldstuck said YouTube has been the unspoken secret of the youth for at least the past decade.

“I’m aware of children using it to teach themselves anything from school subjects like maths, language and science to skills like French knitting, looming and henna painting.

“These examples represent the two massive advantages of YouTube and other video platforms as instructional media: on the one hand they represent an unpressurised ‘classroom’ that allows kids to learn at their own pace without any judgment or consequences, and on the other, they provide a great way to learn cool new skills in one’s own time, at minimal cost.”

“Many parents have been startled to discover their children have hidden ‘talents’ they themselves never had the time, interest or resources to nurture. Children often set this kind of example for adults, of how to learn new skills when their education and experience have become irrelevant,” he said.