Let's give a warm welcome to Annika, owner of The Helping Hat!
All About Annika
Do you have a job outside of this?
I am a junior in highschool.
What’s your dream vacation spot?
Argentina and Chile (Patagonia)
What’s your favorite color(s)?
Yellow – it’s so happy
What’s your favorite food/meal?
Mashed potatoes or peanut butter (just not together haha)
What’s your least favorite food/meal?
Olives
Do you have a favorite movie or TV show?
Friends
What’s a quote that you live by?
“Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard.”
Do you have other hobbies ?
Running cross-country and
track
What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve done in your life?
Ironically, probably starting my shop. A teammate gave me the idea of starting a shop and my aunt suggested donating hats to cancer
patients, so we combined the two and began the business a few months later.
Do you have a favorite holiday?
Probably Christmas and the season leading up to it
Do you have a favorite season?
Fall for so many reasons – food, colors, clothes, etc.
What inspires or motivates you?
Knowing that every hat I knit and sell helps donate one to a cancer patient.
If you could do one thing for the world (people or environment), what would it be?
I am hoping to
connect with knitters, crocheters, etc. through Instagram and create a group to help knit blanket squares for orphaned children in South Africa, due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. I’m fascinated by
global health and would love to start here.
Anything else?
I have two cats, which are very helpful when it comes to picking yarn. (Haha) My sister is also a huge help when it comes to photography.
All About The Helping Hat
How long have you been knitting?
I’ve been knitting off and on for the past couple years, but seriously started about a year and half ago when I knit hats and headbands for teammates for Christmas.
When did you start The Helping Hat?
I started my business in July of 2020, but worked on
preparations consistently throughout the spring.
Why did you start?
I started because I wanted to donate hats to cancer patients and spread cancer awareness. Starting a business was a way to create a cycle of supporting different communities through being able to donate hats from the profits while interacting with new people.
What’s your favorite thing you’ve made?
The seasonal rainbow hat with white brim and pom pom because the colors are exciting and not overbearing, or the pine tree beanie because it is perfect for nature.
What’s a piece of advice for someone just starting out in your field?
Don’t overthink patterns and color combinations. Some of the best projects come when you start something and have no idea
where it’s going.
What was your most memorable success?
The first set of hats I donated to cancer patients. It was a moment where I realized that a business run by one person affects so many others, both customers and cancer patients, and that the product I was making was worthy.
What was your most memorable challenge?
Being confident and connecting with potential
customers.
How did or are you overcoming this challenge?
I’m meeting new people, both customers and amazing knitters on Instagram. Being confident is taking time but comes with putting yourself out there and taking every opportunity to learn and experiment no matter how uncomfortable. Sometimes you have to jump into the deep end.
What’s next for your business (the future)?
Experimenting with new patterns (letting curiosity and creativity take control) and donating more hats to cancer patients!
The Future for The Helping Hat
What’s your latest project?
Knit-a-Square South Africa – I am creating a project for the month of July to see how many fellow Instagram knitters and crocheters (and any others) can come together to set their mind to the goal of donating blanket squares to orphaned children in South Africa, due to the HIV/AIDS epidemic (start saving up those yarn scraps!). I’m hoping to have everyone mail their blanket squares to me or directly to the organization at the end of July, where I will tally up and give a total of how much we accomplished. Then I will ship them off to South Africa!
Where did the inspiration come from for this project?
I’ve always been interested in global health
and disease prevention (now more than ever) and want to create a connection with those going through it. It is difficult to find opportunities as a high school student and am hoping that this will be
my first step into the field. I feel that an issue this large is a project bigger than me and that anyone from around the world should be able to contribute.
Have there been any challenges with this project?
I haven’t put the plan into action yet, and am trying
to connect with people through Instagram who may want to be involved, both within the U.S. and worldwide. It is a slow process, but I hope that we can form a real community.
Will this be free or paid?
Joining the mission is totally up to you and
doesn’t have any minimum requirement of blanket square donations. Everyone is welcome – the
more the merrier! Feel free to DM me for more information.
Where can we find this project when it’s finished ?
This goal is separate from my shop and is in no way affiliated with Instagram. This is an opportunity
to help a global issue. All information about the project will be through my Instagram. For pre-made and custom hats:
www.thehelpinghat.etsy.com
When will it be finished?
The process of knitting the squares will occur throughout the entire month of July and then once they are tallied and shipped the whole project will probably be complete mid-August.
Go and give Annika some LOVE! Like, share, or check out her beautiful beanies and her service project coming up. Remember, supporting Annika is supporting a small business and a local maker’s dream. Plus, her donations to cancer patients are just wonderful.
Here are the links:
Instagram: @thehelpinghat
Etsy: Click Here
Comment below if you have any questions for Annika or The Helping Hat!
And THANK YOU so much for reading and joining along on our Maker Spotlight. You can see a new maker right here EVERY Monday. I have some AMAZING makers lined up and I cannot wait to share them with you.
xoxo, Lindsey
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