Connecting Through Crochet by Alyssa

Connecting Through Crochet by Alyssa - August 2025 Scholarship Essay

Stitching Smiles started as a tiny idea tucked in the back of my mind during spring break. With my family away at my brother’s baseball tournament, I stayed with my grandma. I’d always admired her crocheting creations: huge throw blankets, vibrant pillows, and the comfortable seat cover in her car. I was amazed by this “magic,” and she was more than happy to share her craft with me.

I watched her hands move with purpose, and I was eager to replicate it. At first, my hands were always in an awkward position, and I constantly dropped the yarn or lost count of my stitches. But when I finally made my first lopsided potholder, I’d never felt prouder and closer to her.

I started experimenting. I bought a Woobles kit and tried my hand at making stuffed animals. I spent hours rewinding tutorials, hunched over my kitchen table and counting stitches. I fought with the tangled yarn and restarted several times. When a penguin formed, I was “hooked,” and Stitching Smiles was born.

This year, my goal is to expand my initiative and maximize outreach. In July alone, I crocheted 12 animals, each one unique and customized for the recipient. The first one, a pink elephant, was for my grandma. She keeps it on her bed for company and as a reminder of me. I want others to feel that same comfort and happiness. I aspire to partner with community organizations and help people in hospitals, nursing homes, and shelters. Additionally, I intend to film tutorials with tips for new crocheters. I want to embody the patience and kindness that my grandma showed me.

It’s so important to me that I spread as much kindness as possible. Everyone, no matter their age, was once a kid. We all remember finding comfort in our favorite stuffed animal. A crocheted animal seems small, but I’ve seen how much happiness it can bring. The thought of making someone smile inspires me. It is so fulfilling to know that a handmade gift can make people feel seen and loved in a way everyone deserves. The feeling of giving back and being connected to my community is one that I want to relive again and again.