Welcome to Another Edition of Behind the Biz.
Kayla Qamba Talks Creativity, Culture, and Crochet from the Heart of Buffalo City.
Who is Kayla Qamba, and where are you from?
I'm Kayla Lisakhanya Qamba, a self-taught crocheter and hobby enthusiast, born on July 2, 2004. I'm thrilled to share my story with your readers. I'm originally from East London, specifically Mdantsane, Unit 17, but I reside in Alice, Nkonkobe. I'm an optimistic person who's crafty, practical, and creative, with a curiosity that led me to discover my passion for crocheting.
How did you first become interested in crocheting, and what inspired you to start creating crocheted items?
I became interested in crocheting after seeing the beautiful, handmade items my grandmother or other crafters made. My grandmother used to make a lot of beautiful wool garments for newborn babies, children, and adults. I was fascinated by the way yarn could be transformed into something cozy and functional. I wasn't always good at crocheting. I had more skills in knitting, which was easier to learn for me. At the age of 7, as I learned the basics from my grandmother, I started creating my items, and I was inspired by the freedom to express my creativity and make something truly unique. My first knitted work was a Christmas scarf and socks that I made for my family. At first hand, I can openly say, it wasn't easy, but throughout time, it got better. At the age of 14, I took the initiative of teaching myself how to crochet using social media platforms based on different types of tutorials for beginners. When I first sold my first crochet top item, I gained the confidence to share my work with other people and make it a good financial benefit for me. As for someone who struggles with stress and ADHD, crocheting became a good coping mechanism to keep myself calm and relaxed with a nice cup of herbal tea next to me. I enjoy experimenting with different patterns, colors, and textures, and I'm always looking for new ideas and challenges.
Can you walk us through your creative process when designing a new crochet piece?
When designing a new crochet piece, I start by brainstorming ideas and looking for inspiration from various sources, such as nature, art, or current trends. As an entrepreneur, I mostly focus on what my client wants. Some of the inspirations from my clients come from various social media trends, which can sometimes be difficult and a lot of pressure to bring to life, so I always encourage my clients to show what I'm capable of doing and what I'm not capable of doing yet. I think about the purpose of the piece, what they intended, and the desired texture and color palette. I then sketch out rough designs and experiment with different yarns and stitches to bring my idea to life. As I work on the piece, I make adjustments and tweaks along the way to ensure it turns out as envisioned. I love the process of trial and error, and I'm always excited to see how my ideas take shape.
What are some of your favorite materials to work with when crocheting, and why?
What are your favorite crochet techniques or stitches to use?
What has been the most challenging crochet project you’ve worked on, and how did you overcome it?
One of the most challenging crochet projects I'm currently working on is an intricate lace shawl with complex stitch patterns and sewn-in fabric crochet for dresses. The challenge lay in maintaining consistency and accuracy throughout the project. To overcome it, I broke the project into smaller sections, focused on one repeat at a time, and referenced tutorials and patterns for guidance. I also joined an online crochet community for support and feedback, which helped me troubleshoot issues and stay motivated. Through persistence and patience, I was able to complete the project and learn valuable skills along the way. Another challenge I've faced was halter top Crocheting. When chrocheting for myself, it's much easier, but when I started doing it for someone else, it came out a different size than the one desired by the client, so to fix that problem, I focused on an All side, back lace halter chrochet top technique with requires me to add strings at the back of the top to make it easier to wear and easier to fit.
Can you share a favorite crochet piece you’ve created and the story behind it?
One of my favorite crochet pieces is a ruffled hat I made for my mother and sister. It's a soft, colored hat with a delicate ruffle pattern. I created it for her birthday, and she was overjoyed with the gift. The story behind it is that I wanted to give her something special that would keep her warm and cozy during the cold winter months. I spent hours choosing the perfect yarn and pattern, and it was a labor of love. Seeing her smile when she received it made all the effort worth it, and now it's one of her treasured possessions.
How do you stay inspired and motivated to continue crocheting regularly?
Pocket money.
But mostly, I stay inspired and motivated to crochet by following other crocheters and designers on social media, exploring new patterns and techniques, and setting personal projects or goals. I also enjoy experimenting with different yarns, colors, and textures, which keeps my creativity sparked. Additionally, sharing my projects with friends and family and seeing how they enjoy using or wearing my creations motivates me to continue making things. Overall, I find joy in the process of creating something with my own hands, and that's what keeps me hooked.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start crocheting but doesn’t know where to begin?
To someone who wants to start crocheting but doesn't know where to begin, I'd say start with the basics! Choose a simple project like a scarf or dishcloth, and invest in some good-quality yarn and a comfortable hook. Watch online tutorials from YouTube, TikTok, etc., or join a crochet community to learn the stitches and techniques. Don't be afraid to make mistakes – they're an opportunity to learn and improve. Most importantly, be patient with yourself and enjoy the process. With practice and persistence, you'll be creating beautiful crochet pieces in no time! Consistency is key.
How has crocheting positively impacted your life and well-being?
Crocheting has had a profoundly positive impact on my life and well-being. Emotionally, it provides me with a sense of calm and relaxation, helping to reduce stress and anxiety. Especially when I was going through Matric last year. Mentally, it stimulates my creativity and problem-solving skills, keeping my mind engaged and active. I don't only crochet, I also sew, sketch, draw, paint, and write poems, so whenever I start crocheting, I get most of my inspiration from the other hobbies that I focus on. Financially, I've been able to create handmade gifts and items for sale, generating a supplemental income and allowing me to share my passion with others. Overall, crocheting has brought me joy, fulfillment, and a sense of purpose, enriching my life in many ways.
What are some common misconceptions people have about crocheting that you’d like to address?
Some common misconceptions about crocheting include the idea that it's only for grandmothers or that it's too time-consuming. It's not a common thing to find young people knitting and crocheting lately. I'd like to address these by saying that crocheting is for anyone who enjoys creative expression, relaxation, and making something with their own hands. It's also a versatile hobby that can be adapted to fit various lifestyles and schedules. Additionally, many people think crocheting is difficult to learn, but with practice and patience, anyone can pick it up. By sharing my passion for crochet, I hope to show that it's a fun and rewarding activity for people of all ages and skill levels.
On a more personal note, what do you enjoy doing in your free time when you’re not crocheting?
Currently, I'm studying coding, which requires me a lot of attention to put in, but I always keep a profound schedule with me to create enough time to do other stuff, but besides that, in my free time, I'm either planting, painting, drawing, sewing, reading a book, singing, or writing poetry. I'm also passionate about experimenting with new cooking techniques, dancing, exercising, or concocting herbal remedies using my plants. I'm always up to something to keep myself busy! If there's nothing else to do, there's always sleep.
For anyone who wants to see more of your work or reach out, where can they find you, whether on social media, via email, or on your website?
As we wrap up this edition of Behind the Biz on East Side Insider, it’s clear that Kayla Qamba is more than just a crochet artist—she’s a creator, a storyteller, and a force of calm in a chaotic world. From her roots in Mdantsane to her current home in Alice, Kayla’s journey is stitched with resilience, creativity, and a quiet determination to turn yarn into art and passion into purpose.
Her story is a reminder that artistry doesn’t always come with a mic or a stage it often begins with a single loop, a thread of inspiration, and a heart full of intention. Whether she’s creating ruffled hats for her loved ones, experimenting with bold stitches, or turning her craft into a business, Kayla shows us that there’s beauty in every fiber of doing what you love.
We hope this conversation gave you a glimpse into the colorful, thoughtful world of Kayla Qamba and left you inspired to chase your creative spark, whether through crochet, code, or quiet moments with herbal tea. Stay tuned to East Side Insider for more authentic stories from the creatives shaping our culture from the Eastern Cape and beyond.
Thank you for reading and if Kayla’s work spoke to you, don’t hesitate to connect with her on Facebook or reach out via email. Support local, spread love, and always stay curious.
Until next time, stay inspired, East Side Insiders.
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