Charlotte’s Youth Rediscover Traditional Hobbies, Transforming Pastimes into Profitable Ventures

Charlotte: A City Embracing “Grandma and Grandpa Hobbies”

In a world increasingly saturated with technology, it seems a delightful twist is sweeping through our younger generations. More and more young people are turning to what social media has affectionately dubbed “grandma and grandpa hobbies.” From gardening and baking sourdough to canning produce and assembling intricate puzzles, these traditional crafts are making a comeback—offering both a respite from screens and a way to save money amidst rising inflation.

DeJané Angel Cade: From Hobby to Hustle

Take DeJané Angel Cade, for example. She is a prime illustration of how these hobbies can transform lives. Growing up in Charlotte as the daughter of a Liberian immigrant, DeJané found her spark at just 11 years old when her mom asked, “Do you want to learn this craft I taught myself as a kid?” What began as a simple bonding moment blossomed into a profound passion. “I just started watching her and caught on quickly,” she recalled, “and it was like love at first stitch!”

Initially, DeJané crafted traditional items such as blankets and baby clothes. But with the onset of the COVID pandemic and the additional free time it provided, she decided to take her creations a notch higher, diving into women’s clothes and accessories. “I look at modern interpretations of fashion and create that with crocheting,” she explains. “Many think crocheting is limited, but you can make anything.”

Turning Passion into a Profitable Business

When she was just 14, DeJané launched her business, Angel Love Crochet & Co., and it quickly gained traction—thanks in no small part to the rapid rise of crochet trends on social media, reminiscent of styles popularized in the 1960s and ’70s. “It was surreal,” she describes, reflecting on how her passion for crochet became her therapy during a challenging time. “I had my hook and my yarn, and that’s what mattered to me.”

Her TikTok debut in February 2021 showcased her recreation of an outfit worn by Michelle Obama during President Biden’s inauguration. This standout piece, which included wide-leg pants, a top, a belt, and an ankle-length coat, helped her gain followers and orders. Her story continued with another viral sensation—a peach-colored, one-shoulder gown she designed for her junior prom, grabbing an astonishing 10.1 million views and leading to appearances on various television programs.

The Power of Social Media and Creative Spirit

In the spring of the following year, she wowed her audience once more with her senior prom dress, showcasing her crochet skills in a fabulous black-and-white ensemble. The combined views of her videos hit 23.1 million on TikTok, causing her order list to swell.

With around 200 outfits created and sold in just a few years, each handmade piece takes DeJané about six weeks to complete. Prices range from $2,000 to $8,000, reflecting the quality, technique, and expertise that go into each creation. She ensures that each custom order is tailored to fit perfectly, utilizing high-quality yarn sourced from around the world.

Balancing Life: Business and Education

Despite her flourishing business, DeJané still manages to juggle her education. As a student at the Charlotte Teacher Early College, she will graduate with both a high school diploma and an associate’s degree in elementary and special education. As one of the 130 students selected for North Carolina’s Teaching Fellows program, her future is as bright as her colorful yarn stash.

Upon completion of her degree, she dreams of returning to her mother’s native Liberia to teach children how to crochet, inspired by her mother’s dreams of craftsmanship that were never realized. “A lot of her dreams had to be sacrificed. She never became a crochet designer. So that motivates me every day—to fulfill those dreams for both of us.”

DeJané’s story beautifully reflects a growing trend of young individuals reconnecting with traditional crafts, preserving rich skills while finding their own voices. In doing so, they create a vibrant community that bridges the generational divide, illustrating that perhaps some old-fashioned hobbies are more relevant than ever.