Solange Knowles newest album "When I get Home" is a critical darling. The album has been praised across the board, and has inspired new art in its own right.
One of Solange's fans posted a series of photos Tuesday of a crop top she crocheted, featuring Solange's face from the cover of the album.
Akua Darkwa, a 19-year-old student at the University of Illinois shared her hand crafted clothing.
When I get home - @solangeknowles shirt hand crocheted by me πΊπΎ https://t.co/G6MceHc0kqβ I'm finna just start staring at niggas (@I'm finna just start staring at niggas) 1555437595.0
The top took Darkwa 12 hours over four days to make.
In an interview with Page Six Style, Darkwa described her process,
"The process of crocheting is tedious and a bit stressful at times, but finally getting to the end is so rewarding that I don't think it's something I'm ever gonna stop doing."
She's been crocheting since she was a child, though she didn't start making clothing until high school.
And it would seem people agree that this shirt is fire!
I did not expect this to blow up at all πβ I'm finna just start staring at niggas (@I'm finna just start staring at niggas) 1555441571.0
@nyancoaa @solangeknowles Youβre the champion! πβ Anayah Rose π πΎββοΈπΆπΎπ§πΎββοΈ (@Anayah Rose π πΎββοΈπΆπΎπ§πΎββοΈ) 1555451685.0
@nyancoaa @dev0ski @solangeknowles Honestly the skill set is phenomenal! Mind blown π€― Amazing!β Tila.C (@Tila.C) 1555520717.0
@wayl0r @nyancoaa @solangeknowles like WOWβ FINESSA (@FINESSA) 1555441315.0
Darkwa's passion did not go unnoticed. In addition to all the people on Twitter asking her to make them one, Solange herself retweeted the tweet.
"It feels amazing knowing Solange saw it!"
Darkwa said.
"And now there's thousands of people in the world who know and love my work. It feels great."
@zahriasimone @solangeknowles I'M SCREAMING SO LOUD INTERNALLY RNβ I'm finna just start staring at niggas (@I'm finna just start staring at niggas) 1555443232.0
SOLANGE RETWEETED MY TWEET!!!!!! Y'ALL CAN'T TELL ME A DAMN THING!!!!!!!!β I'm finna just start staring at niggas (@I'm finna just start staring at niggas) 1555441520.0
Solange's new album has proven to be a powerhouse. Some reviews have called it the best album of the year so far, with Metacritic's aggregate scoring it 89 out of 100.
The album has been praised for its spacey sound, with synths and electronic sounds reinforcing the cosmic ambience. Knowles has said she was very focused on what she had to "feel" for an album about going home.
It's proven very popular. Combined with Darkwa's skill and hard work at her crochet, how could you not want a Solange top?
@nyancoaa @solangeknowles You sellin some?? Cause I will cop!β a$hpa$h (@a$hpa$h) 1555438582.0
@nyancoaa @solangeknowles U know we all want one right?! Where it at!!β Rach β¨ (@Rach β¨) 1555448129.0
@nyancoaa @solangeknowles Oh my word, I need to make one! Would you be willing to share your pattern?β And Grace Too (@And Grace Too) 1555533130.0
Darkwa plans to wait to take orders. She is still in classes and wouldn't have the time to make these for everyone who wants one.
"I do have plans to start selling! I'm planning on doing orders in mid-to-late summer,"
Darkwa confirmed.
I would like to say that I do have a website, but it won't be open for orders until mid June. These are the items Iβ¦ https://t.co/LoDk0sB1kHβ I'm finna just start staring at niggas (@I'm finna just start staring at niggas) 1555450427.0
I guess the last question is, think she can do other artists?
@nyancoaa @solangeknowles but are you selling these? i'll buy one with frank ocean on it. seriously, i'll pay anythβ¦ https://t.co/VmqQ4vaDDHβ glitter girl β¨ (@glitter girl β¨) 1555439136.0
@nyancoaa @solangeknowles Soooooo are you taking orders? I want a nipsey 1 πͺπ½ππβ BuLL (@BuLL) 1555561774.0
@nyancoaa @solangeknowles Um can you do some Nicki Minaj inspired ones???! Even if it just say Queen or Her Majest. Your talent is crazy!β IG: HERSTORY_UNTOLD (@IG: HERSTORY_UNTOLD) 1555528350.0
11-Year-Old Boy Amasses Huge Social Media Following With His Incredible Crocheted Creations
Making it through the sixth grade is significantly easier when you have a cool skill or talent. For Jonah Larson of La Crosse, Wisconsin, that skill is crocheting, and he is very, VERY good at it.
Jonah began crocheting at the age of five and now, six years later, he's a veritable master of the craft.
He speed crochets without any difficulty, talking and looking at other things while his hands do all the work that needs to be done.
His mom, Jennifer, thought his crocheted creations were so impressive she started an Instagram account for him.
A month ago, it had 2,400 followersβnot an incredibly huge number, but certainly enough for any sixth-grader to be proud of.
All that changed when his local paper, the La Crosse Tribune, picked up his story. That profile got the attention of producers at Inside Edition, Good Morning America, and NPR, who blasted Jonah's crocheting into the stratosphere!
He now has over 46k followers and attracts new ones every day!
Jonah is gifted in many ways, scoring so high on an IQ test in elementary school that his parents had him skip a grade.
His mother believes crocheting helps him focus:
"I think his mind is just always very busy, and it turned out that crocheting is something that calms him down and makes him feel good. I think of it as medicinal in some ways."
Working with his hands once he's done with assignments has also helped Jonah, who can be easily distracted and bored, behave better in school.
"His fifth-grade teacher encouraged him to bring his crocheting into school, and after assignments he was allowed to crochet. It was just wonderful because then he wasn't bored anymore."
Jonah makes crocheted gifts for his friends and even fills the occasional order to a paying client.
Since going viral, the sixth grader is receiving roughly 3,000 orders a week.
But Jonah's mother is careful not to let Jonah take on very many orders.
She believes it would defeat the point of his calming hobby:
"He only has two little hands. I don't want to overwhelm him, plus he likes to make things on his own terms."
Jonah himself echoed the sentiment when asked whether he prefers to crochet for profit or pleasure:
"I enjoy both. It is always nice to have your wallet full. But crocheting just what people want to buy can get repetitive, and I always want to try new things. Plus, I need to do some things for family members too. Like, my dad is bald and needs a hat. It gets very cold here in Wisconsin, so I need to do that soon."
Twitter couldn't have been more impressed by the young craftsman!
This is Jonah and he is amazing! He is crocheting with the best of us and has such a great attitude! Thanks for shoβ¦ https://t.co/8k9We3EapGβ KitsKnits (@KitsKnits) 1550521634
Please check out this amazing young man's channel and subscribe to it. He donates the proceeds that he receives toβ¦ https://t.co/B0ftEVm3d1β Raine ππππ»π· π (@Raine ππππ»π· π) 1550283341
@Yahoo @flugerdragon What a guy!! Nice!β Rob Robson (@Rob Robson) 1550514356
I am in awe of Jonah and the work he is doing. Also anyone want to drop off some yarn and a crochet hook?! https://t.co/yY8qvjCy3Sβ Be Who You Want to Be (@Be Who You Want to Be) 1550373437
@NickKochanov I've been obsessively checking & scrolling through Jonah on Instagram for like 2 weeks now!!! He hasβ¦ https://t.co/KuTAg0mG8Rβ Jake (@Jake) 1550158313
@Arts_Ally He is very talentedβ DezzyLoops (@DezzyLoops) 1550083665
Keep up the good work, Jonah. You're bringing out the crafty in all of us!