BarnYarn
What does your company do?
BarnYarn is a handmade crochet brand dedicated to turning yarn into art. Specializing in custom and ready-made crochet items, BarnYarn brings warmth, creativity, and craftsmanship into every stitch. Whether it’s plush toys, accessories, home décor, or wearable pieces, each product is thoughtfully handcrafted with quality and care.
What sets BarnYarn apart is the ability to create unique crochet patterns just by looking at pictures—bringing customer ideas and inspiration to life with precision and imagination. In addition to finished products, BarnYarn also engages in pattern design, custom commissions, and one-of-a-kind gifts for all occasions.
My name is Thaakira, and I’m a third-year physiotherapy student at UCT. I’m currently juggling one of the toughest academic programs while also running a small crochet business that I started to help pay for my studies. My annual fees come to around R90,000, and while I’ve been fortunate to receive some bursary support over the years, it’s never quite enough to cover everything.
So I got to work.
I took a part-time weekend job earning just R35 an hour — and sometimes worked double shifts just to stay afloat. On top of that, I taught myself how to crochet and began making and selling handmade bags, beanies, and other items to help chip away at my fees. I even managed to secure a spot at a flea market in Rondebosch to showcase my work — but had to give it up due to work commitments. That’s just one of many sacrifices I’ve made to keep pushing forward.
Everything I’ve built has come from my own effort. I buy all my own yarn, tools, and packaging from the little I earn. I cover my own fuel to get to campus. It hasn’t been easy, but I’ve learned how to be resourceful — and above all, I’ve learned that I’m capable of more than I ever thought possible.
But it’s not just about the hustle. I truly care about making a difference. I volunteer as a student physio at rugby matches, where I assist injured players and offer support on the sidelines. I come home from those days feeling exhausted — but also incredibly fulfilled. I often reflect on how lucky we are just to be able-bodied, and it reminds me why I chose this path in the first place.
What is your biggest success?
One of my biggest successes with BarnYarn has been building a loyal base of support through friends and family. Being able to sell my handmade crochet items to the people closest to me has been incredibly rewarding. Not only have they supported my work, but they've also helped spread the word and grow my confidence as a creator.
What makes it even more special is being able to show them the variety of items I’ve made—from plush toys to wearables and home décor—and seeing their excitement and appreciation for the time and detail that goes into each piece. Their positive feedback and encouragement have motivated me to keep improving, try new ideas, and take pride in turning my passion into a growing business.
What has been your biggest hurdle?
One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced with BarnYarn has been staying consistent—both in creating content and in building a steady customer base. As much as I love crocheting, balancing it with other responsibilities can make it tough to post regularly or maintain momentum online.
Getting my social media up and running has also been a work in progress. It takes time and effort to build a following, create engaging posts, and turn viewers into customers. Learning how to market myself and my products has been a new skill I’ve had to grow into, but I’m slowly getting there and finding what works for me.
