How My Crochet Hippo Landed in Times Square: A Crochet Business Win

In today’s blog, I’m sharing a story that took me all the way back to 2014, long before I had an Etsy shop, before I started designing crochet patterns, and before I began teaching courses. This story is about one crocheted hippo, a random “yes,” and an unforgettable moment when my handmade work showed up on a giant digital screen in Times Square, New York City.

In June 2014, Michaels—the craft store we all know and love—posted a simple message on Twitter:

The next morning, I pulled up the livestream on my computer at work. I kept it minimized into a small square in the corner of my screen while I pretended to focus on my daily tasks. My heart was pounding as I watched photo after photo flash across the billboard.

Minutes stretched into an hour. I kept glancing up, straining my eyes every time a new handmade item appeared. And then it happened. My crocheted hippo appeared, larger than life, on a Times Square screen. For just a few seconds, my little handmade creation shined under the biggest spotlight imaginable.

Looking back now, that moment taught me lessons that still guide me as a crochet designer and entrepreneur.

Submitting one photo felt insignificant, but it became a memory I’ll treasure forever. Sometimes the smallest steps—posting a project on Instagram, entering a crochet-along (CAL), or sharing a handmade gift—create ripple effects you can’t predict.

How often do we tell ourselves, “This isn’t good enough,” or “No one will care”? That hippo was far from perfect, but it still ended up on one of the world’s largest stages. Perfection isn’t the point—visibility is.

Every time we pick up a crochet hook, we’re doing more than making stitches. We’re creating memories, heirlooms, and even time capsules for future generations.

Part of the reason I began my podcast, Simply Hooked: A Crochet Podcast, is to capture these stories—not just about crochet, but about creativity, resilience, and intentional living. I wanted to create a library of episodes that my children could one day listen to when I’m no longer here. It’s about legacy.

When my kids hit play years from now, I don’t want them to just hear stories about crochet patterns and yarn. I want them to hear the laughter, the struggles, the lessons, and the hope that carried me through these years. That’s the beauty of recording these episodes. They aren’t just content, they’re audio time capsules.

So, what’s the takeaway from a hippo in Times Square?

• Say yes to opportunities, even if they feel small.
• Keep sharing your crochet projects, you never know who might see them.
• Remember that your handmade work is valuable and meaningful.

Crochet connects us, to ourselves, to others, and sometimes, even to the bright lights of New York City.