LGBTQ+ Crocheter Kunal Chourasia Creates Whimsical Yarny Wonders

Kunal Chourasia is an artist who loves knitting, crocheting, and creating amazing and unique articles. As he belongs to the LGBTQ+ community, let’s celebrate this Pride Month by appreciating this fascinating crocheter. 

If we trace the backstory of what got Kunal started with this craft, he shares that his “Nani” taught him the art of knitting and crocheting at 10, when he was in 6th standard. Down the line, in the lockdown during the pandemic, he happened to have a lot of free time. He also suffered from stress and anxiety issues, so he decided to start crocheting all over again. And soon he found that this simple activity brought him a little calm and peace. 

Soon he started making soft toys, sweaters, and cardigans. While traveling to his house waiting for a local train, he would crochet as soon as a ball of threads and needles came into his hands. When spectators would see his hands moving super fast while knitting, they’d be amazed by his artwork. This was one such situation which allowed him to make many new friends as they’d ask about his art work. His crochet skills allowed him to meet many new people from different walks of life. 

Kunal Chourasia was interviewed by BBC News Marathi. He shared that once, while traveling to Shimla via train, he was knitting as usual. A lady saw him doing this and taught him to create a doll. They had a lovely chat. They are still connected via WhatsApp and share crochet images, too.

Kunal Chourasia started knitting as a hobby, which helped him to cope with his anxiety issues. His friends were also mesmerized by his art and they asked him to teach them the art of crochet or knitting. While he started by teaching friends, Kunal now conducts crochet works in cities like Mumbai and Pune. From colorful flowers, teddy bears, bucket hats, octopus to clothes made of crochet, he teaches everything he can create with crochet. He even gets orders from people from foreign countries when they come across his work on social media. 

At times people taunt him with their stereotype thinking that this work is done by girls, but he believes this is just a beautiful expression of creativity that transcends gender norms.

People tell him that you can do this in 5-10 minutes, but he says, ‘No, it takes time. However, if you give time to it, you can do it’, he says to BBC News Marathi.

Today, Kunal’s passion has become his full-time business. He conducts crochet classes and shares his art as a content creator on social media. His dedication and talent have earned him a fan-base of over 70K+ on Instagram and over 7K subscribers on YouTube. Kunal’s success is a testament to his hard work and the impact of his art on the world of LGBTQ+. 

This year, on Valentine’s Day, he had his first-ever collaboration, and that too with Nivea India. He created cute little crochet holders for NIVEA lip balms, matching their different flavours.

He is truly an inspiration for every artist, especially a proud LGBTQ+ community member. He learned the basics of crocheting from his Nani during childhood and advanced himself while learning from YouTube. Kunal has had a fantastic journey and a long way to go.