Meet the 11-Year-Old Crochet Prodigy Whose Afghans Went Viral
*By Kate Gill*
Jonah Larson has threaded a small empire with his even smaller hands. The 11-year-old Wisconsin native and crocheting prodigy who learned his craft at age five has a massive following online (40,000 and counting) through his viral [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/jonahhands/) account. He even has a business manager ー his mother, Jennifer Larson.
But Jonah, who captured the internet's fickle attention with his elaborate creations, isn't motivated by fame or money. (Although he does take commissions.)
"I just sit back and relax, and that helps calm me," he told Cheddar Big News.
"And the best part is, I get to sit by my mom and spend quality time with her, and she can teach me important life lessons."
As with any prodigy, practice is essential. But Jonah admitted his practicing fluctuates with the seasons.
During the winter, he crochets roughly five hours a day, "because I kind of hunker down," he said. "But in the summer, I'm usually outside, playing sports," he added.
What's his item of choice to crochet?
"If I had to choose, it would be afghans," he said.
Our celebration of Pride Month continues here on Cheddar News, with a special segment on New York-based photographer Thomas Evans and his efforts to promote unity & equity.
Pop star Bebe Rexha was hit in the face and injured by a cellphone hurled from the audience at a hometown show in New York City Sunday night, and a man was arrested, police said.
Cheddar News is continuing our celebration of Pride Month as we highlight trail blazers throughout the LGBTQ+ community. Cheddar's own Baker Machado recently had the opportunity to sit down with the editor-in-chief of Them, a magazine that covers everything from culture to politics to fashion within the LGBTQ+ community.
If you're stressed out, worried, or just need to let off some steam, consider trying out smash therapy. Our own Shannon LaNier is on the scene to try it for himself.
