Brendah Namubiru hooks yarn to craft an outfit for one of her clients. She learnt crocheting from her mother. Today, she earns a source of livelihood from crocheting. Photos/Edgar R. Batte
A s a young girl, Brendah Namubiru watched her mother make bitambala- the crochet table and chair covers that were once a staple in many Ugandan households.
With childlike curiosity and eager fingers, she picked up the skill, unknowingly planting the seed for what would become a deeply personal creative path. But for some years, other responsibilities distracted her.
Namubiru’s love for travel and hunger to make a breakthrough in the tourism sector took the better of her, shelfing her crocheting dream momentarily. It was not until 2018, when a friend’s social media posts reignited something in her, that she realised crotcheting is something she actually wanted to do.
“I saw beautiful crochet pieces my friend would post on Instagram and Facebook,” she recalls. “They were vibrant and expressive. I used to do this. I can do this again.”
The spark was back, but it was during lockdown of 2020 that gave her the space and time to fully dive in.
With the tourism industry brought to a halt- and her job as a tour guide on pause-Namubiru had time and growing financial pressure to meet both basic and pressing issues.
So, she got her hook and a ball of yarn and started busying her hands as she created outfits for herself and later on those who admired her every time she wore them. What was once a childhood hobby and then an untapped skill, became a life-saving venture.
Like some people came to appreciate, the lockdown was the time for them to thrive in talents and things they had put on hold for a while.
“I decided to do it not just for fun but to turn it into a business. It was something I could do with my hands and most importantly- it brought me joy,” she recounts. And so Brendah Crochets was born. Today, it is a fast-growing brand known for its handmade, custom-made crochet wear for all.
Namubiru specialises in unisex shirts, scarfs, beanies, vests, dresses, skirts, shorts, swimsuits, and beach cover-ups. Her pieces are carefully thought out, not just in design but in how they complement the unique body types and skin tones of her customers.
I like to involve the client in the process,” she shares. “But I also advise on the best styles, colours, and fits, based on my experience. I want them to feel beautiful and confident in what they wear.”
The magic of crocheting, according to her, lies in its simplicity and being patience. With basic tools- a crochet hook, scissors, yarn, stitch markers and a tapestry needle, she creates wearable art.
Her process often involves three basic stitches: single, half-double and double crochet. It is a repetitive, meditative practice that demands attention to detail.
Brendah Namubiru learnt crocheting from her mother. Today, she earns a source of livelihood from crocheting.
Depending on the piece, Namubiru might spend a day or even two weeks perfecting a garment. Behind the softness of yarn, lies a steely work ethic. The youthful craftswoman is fiercely committed to quality. “It is important to me that every item fits well and meets a customer’s expectations.”
Most of her clientele comes through referrals- friends, acquaintances, and people who see her work on platforms such as TikTok and WhatsApp.
Social media has become her shop window and a powerful marketing tool. It allows her to showcase her products, receive orders, and connect with potential clients, who value hand-made, slow fashion.
What makes her creations even stand out is the cultural and emotional touch woven into each item. Her work is rooted in the generational transfer of skills- from mother to daughter- and continues to evolve with modern trends.
“I am proud that I can turn a traditional craft into something fashionable and meaningful,” she says. But she is not stopping here. Her bigger plan is to expand her production capacity.
She would love to buy a crochet machine and a sewing machine to help her work faster and take on more orders without compromising on quality. Despite the challenges of running a small-scale business, especially one so time-intensive, Namubiru remains optimistic.
Her journey from a child learning at her mother’s side, to a woman crafting her own entrepreneurial path, is not just inspiring. It is instructive, reminding us of the power of creativity, of self-reinvention, and of finding opportunity even in difficult times.
Through her story, it is evident that crafts, when nurtured and modernised, can preserve culture and drive economic resilience. Even at a personal level, capitalising on evolving and dynamic local and international trends of fashion and culture.
