Beyond Engineering

From Hobby to Handmade Business

The Beginning: A Creative Outlet That Sparked Innovation

At the end of 2023, I was a busy aerospace engineering student looking for a way to balance my demanding schedule with something creative. Crochet became that outlet. What started as a way to calm my mind quickly grew into a passion project that filled my apartment with skeins of yarn and half-finished pieces. I taught myself new stitches and techniques through tutorials and trial and error, always looking for ways to improve and challenge myself.

Within months, I was making blankets, bags, beanies, pillows, and even custom plushies. I loved creating gifts that were deeply personal, like a crocheted beagle modeled after my family dog or a C-17 airplane plushie for my Air Force dad. Every project gave me an opportunity to practice patience, precision, and problem-solving while also discovering the joy of bringing an idea to life.

Learning New Tools and Building Confidence

By Christmas of 2024, I was ready to explore something new. My parents gifted me a sewing machine, and I jumped in with the same determination I’d applied to crochet. My first creation—a patchwork beanie stitched together from an old curtain and a pair of middle school jeans—wasn’t perfect, but it represented something more important: a willingness to learn through experimentation.

From there, I taught myself how to quilt, mend clothes, and sew structured bags. After graduating college in May, I began designing and refining patterns, working with different fabrics, and creating pieces I was proud to gift to others. The process taught me to plan projects carefully, pay close attention to detail, and iterate on designs until they met my standards.

From Passion Project to Brand

Friends and family encouraged me to sell my work, but instead of rushing into sales, I decided to build a foundation. That’s when Loop de Lehmen was born. I started an Instagram account, designed a logo, and created packaging that reflected the care and craftsmanship of each item. I began sharing my work online, connecting with other makers, and gifting products to new audiences to grow my reach.

What started as a stress-relieving hobby quickly became a brand. In the process, I developed skills I’d never expected to gain: branding, marketing, and business planning. I learned how to manage projects from concept to completion, balance creativity with practicality, and build a small community around my work.

Looking Ahead: Creativity Meets Engineering

Today, my Etsy shop, featuring crochet and sewing pieces, is officially live as of October 1st, 2025. Loop de Lehmen represents more than a creative outlet; it’s proof of my curiosity, initiative, and drive to bring ideas to life. The same qualities that pushed me to teach myself crochet and sewing, perseverance, attention to detail, and a love of problem-solving, are the same ones I bring to engineering projects.

This journey has been about more than making things by hand; it’s been about learning, experimenting, and building something from the ground up. For me, Loop de Lehmen is both a celebration of creativity and a reflection of the determination I carry into every aspect of my life.