Sligh's Stylish Stitching

Elyssa Lee • November 4, 2024

Crocheting is more than just a craft — it is a creative outlet that promotes mental well-being and strengthens relationships. After discovering this craft from her grandmother when she was young, junior Jordan Sligh taught herself the basics of crocheting, quickly mastered them and began creating her own stitching patterns rather than following the ones online. Her friends would often request custom designs, allowing her to make unique and personalized pieces for them. Each crocheted clothing item or plush displays the time and effort she invests, making this hobby a way for Sligh’s imagination to shine while also deepening her friendships.

Although hobbies are often time-consuming, Sligh has demonstrated a desire to continue making time to craft despite her busy schedule. Crocheting is not only a creative hobby, but can also be a therapeutic way to unwind after a long day of school. Regardless of the time commitment and effort it takes to crochet, Sligh displays how it can improve mental health and add enjoyment to life. Carol Sligh, her mom, describes a time when she noticed the benefits of this craft and how it improved Jordan’s mood.

“Jordan was very young when she began to crochet; I think she may have been three years old,” Carol Sligh said. “I recall a time at an intense Vex Robotics competition where I noticed her crocheting in-between their matches. She said it relaxed her and enabled her to focus.”

The summer after her freshman year, Jordan Sligh wanted to attend a concert with her friends, which motivated her to turn this hobby into a business to afford the ticket. Although this began as a way to achieve a personal goal, it soon evolved into something more meaningful. The majority of Jordan Sligh’s customers are her friends who eagerly support this passion, allowing them to grow closer together and reinforce their friendship. Junior Maya Palinkas shared a time where she felt Sligh’s hobby spark unity and happiness.

“[Crocheting is a] passion project that she's taken on, and it’s something I can tell that she’s really invested in,” Palinkas said. “During our robotics competition, she had free time and she was crocheting this mitten. She completely finished the pair by the end, and it was just really cool. Everyone was watching, and it kind of brought us all together, [which felt really special].”

Her business has also connected Jordan Sligh with new people, allowing her to build a crafting community on Instagram where she shares her designs as inspiration. Her creations, varying from cute plushies, mittens and scrunchies, cost about $25, depending on the size and the time it takes her to make one. Jordan Sligh enjoys earning the money, but her main motivation currently is to have fun and share her creativity with others. She displays how a simple hobby can lead to meaningful connections and add more joy to life.

“To me, crocheting is my safe space,” Jordan Sligh said. “After a long week of being busy, I use it as a stress-free outlet to be creative. [This craft] has impacted my life in a way that brings me more peace and lets me [share] the things that make me happy. Crocheting is a hobby that I will never let go of.”