Do Good, Look Good: Krochet Kids

By Chadner Navarro
October 13, 2011

Longtime friends and Spokane, WA, natives Kohl Crecelius, Travis Hartanov and Stewart Ramsey started crocheting knit hats in high school so they could sport unique headgear for snowboard. And like the genesis of most design stories, where necessity breeds popularity and demand, it didn’t take long for the hats to become a hit with other kids, grandmothers and even a local newspaper (who gave them the moniker Krochet Kids).

Krochet Kids

Travis Hartanov, Stewart Ramsey, Kohl Crecelius, founders of Krochet Kids

In 2007, what started as a cool way to jazz up drab winter sport outfits has become Krochet Kids International, a non-profit organization that supports women in Uganda by giving them fair-wage work crocheting. Born on a night where the guys, now in their mid-twenties, were sitting around a campfire discussing how to make a difference in the world, the project is on its way to changing the lives of many while providing shoppers everywhere with stylish handmade accessories. Over 100 people go to the Krochet Kids compound in Northern Uganda every day to work on the production of Krochet Kids hats, bowties, scarves and more, and each one is marked with the name of the woman who created it.

Krochet Kids

Krochet Kids homepage

Below, the guys spoke with us about how it all began and where they'll go from here

The Inside Source: You three started crocheting while in high school. That's not a typical teenage activity for boys. Did other kids ever give you guys a hard time?

Travis Hartanov: I don't recall anyone ever giving us a hard time to our face. However, who really knows what people thought about us crocheting? Our peers loved the hats, so I think that made the act of us crocheting kind of cool. We also received a few orders from some awesome grandmas in the area because they were fascinated by the thought of young high school boys crocheting.

The Inside Source: How did the conversation begin to make crocheting hats into a non-profit business?

Travis Hartanov: Starting a non-profit ultimately branched from what we experienced first hand in developing countries around the world such as Uganda. We were blown away by individual circumstances and the fact that they wanted to work but there was no opportunity to do so. Everyone we encountered in Uganda was craving the dignity that comes with being able to provide for yourself and your family. We never thought crocheting would be our vehicle to providing jobs, but after discussing the need we saw in Uganda with friends and family, we were encouraged that crocheting would be the perfect tool that we could offer. One thing was for sure—we knew we could teach people how to crochet and we knew we could sell hats from our high school business.

Krochet Kids

Krochet Kids hat, iPad case and bowties (below)

The Inside Source: How difficult was it to iron out the logistics of building a non-profit in Uganda?

Kohl Crecelius: When we tell anyone about our organization they have questions about how we do business in such a challenging and difficult region, both politically and geographically. We have always relied heavily upon the support and guidance of our local Ugandan staff. They are the ones that enable us to make culturally sensitive decisions and find materials and facilities at fair prices. They are also the ones that interview and visit the homes of every woman who applies to be a part of our program.

Krochet Kids

The Krochet Kids team in Uganda

The Inside Source: Tell us about your initial reaction to seeing your work come to fruition in Uganda.

Stewart Ramsey: In the Summer of 2007, 10 of us Krochet Kids had traveled to Uganda to teach 10 women how to crochet hats. A lot of work, time and energy had been poured into the project and for the first time, I felt like I realized the weight of what was happening. First, these women took to crocheting like a fish to water. Second, a new reality was being created as these women learned a new skill. Their lives would be the first of many that now look radically different. Out of our hopeful naivete and a simple crocheted hat came this beautiful resurrection of life in real and tangible ways.

Krochet Kids

Each Krochet Kids hat is marked with the name of the woman who made it

The Inside Source: How aware are the Ugandan women who produce the hats of Krochet Kids International’s success?

Stewart Ramsey: I don't think they could ever fully understand the western retail atmosphere, but they see the success of their work in the program’s growth. That means more ladies are being brought into their work community and more lives are changing. That they understand better than anyone.

The Inside Source: What have you learned about Uganda and these women through this project?

Stewart Ramsey: At first I think we came into this "developing country" as young Americans, which unfortunately in a foreign context is most closely related to cowboys and the Wild West! But we learned very quickly, that if we really wanted and expected to help, that we would indeed need to become students of Uganda, its culture and ultimately its people. I'll sum that up in saying we learned a lot about respect.

The Inside Source: Do you guys have plans of expanding this project?

Kohl Crecelius: We actually just launched a brand new program in Lima, Peru. We are excited to apply our model for empowerment to a new context and new culture. You can get involved and purchase the first hats from our Peru program by visiting our Kickstarter campaign.

The Inside Source: Lastly, do you guys use eBay?

Kohl Crecelius: Directly after the devastating earthquake in Haiti each of us on our staff crocheted a unique hat using some really high caliber yarns. We then auctioned the hats off on eBay to our supporters. Some of the hats went for over $300! As individuals we matched the money that was made from the auctions and donated it all to earthquake relief efforts.