Biz Lounge: Caren Wambui uses Instagram to grow crocheting business
Caren Wambui holds a red cardigan that she has made, during an interview on 25th November, 2024.
“Crocheting used to be a grandma skill,” says Caren Wambui, the creative force behind the crochet brand Yarn by Bobo.
Wambui says her journey into crocheting began in 2019 when her brother was involved in an accident. While taking care of him during a long holiday, she found herself wanting to stay productive.
Having learned basic crochet skills in primary school through home science classes, she decided to revisit the craft.
She purchased yarn, hooks, and stitching needles and turned to YouTube for a refresher.
“I remembered the basics, and with YouTube tutorials, I refreshed my skills and began crocheting as I took care of my brother,” she says.
Initially, Wambui made clothes for herself, her family, and her friends, sharing her creations on Instagram.
Caren Wambui displays a dress she has made during an interview on November 25, 2024.
However, in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, she decided to turn her passion into a business.
Her first sale—a handmade top which she sold for Sh.500 marked a turning point in her life. It was then that Wambui decided to make this a full blown business by using Instagram to market her work.
All this while she was still in campus pursuing a course in Accounting.
Despite landing an accounting job after graduating, Wambui continued crocheting. Her growing success allowed her to hire an assistant to meet increasing demand.
While she started with women’s wear, Wambui says she has noticed rising interest from men seeking custom-crocheted apparel.
Her products now range from Sh500 to Sh5,000, with monthly earnings reaching up to Sh20,000. She also sells crochet patterns online to supplement her income.
Understanding that crochet may not appeal to everyone, Wambui ensures her designs remain trendy and modern.
“My target audience is the conscious, modern individual who values handmade, unique pieces,” she says. “Young people, especially, want comfort, style, and something trendy.”
Determined to challenge perceptions about crochet, Wambui plans to elevate it to a respected skill, comparable to science and technology.
Caren Wambui displays a bag that she has made during an interview on November 25, 2024.
“Crochet has long been dismissed as a cheap hobby,” she says. “People expect to pay next to nothing for handmade pieces, saying, ‘I’ll provide the yarn—can’t you just make it?’ That mind set needs to change.”
Over her five-year journey, Wambui highlights the crucial role of mentorship in entrepreneurship. She believes it helped her avoid obvious pitfalls and provided a supportive community that offered guidance in times of need.
Looking ahead, the 26-year-old plans to expand Yarn by Bobo, adding more clothing options and eventually opening a physical store to cater to walk-in customers.
“It brings me so much joy to see people wearing my designs and sharing them on Instagram. Knowing they genuinely love my work means a lot. I get referrals, and it’s all incredibly rewarding,” she says.
For now, her brand continues to thrive online, redefining what it means to turn passion into profit.
Wambui concludes by encouraging young women to not be scared to start businesses because “success lies on the other side of fear.”