92-Year-Old Nani Builds Crochet Business With Granddaughters

Padma Parikh spent eight decades perfecting her crochet skills before discovering that her hobby could become something even more special. At 92, the Gujarat grandmother launched an online business with her granddaughters that now ships handmade treasures around the world.

Padma's creative journey started at age 12 when she began transforming old sarees and torn dupattas into doormats, pillow covers, and purses. She taught herself crochet without any formal training, spending years making chains, mufflers, and sweaters from yarn.

Her granddaughters Bansari and Heer Shah saw untapped potential during the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown. They launched PB Handmades, named after their beloved nani, after spotting another crafter selling crocheted birds online.

The first attempt didn't go smoothly. Padma failed three times before successfully completing her first crocheted bird, spending three full days figuring out the intricate pattern.

"It is not easy to crochet; it takes a lot of patience," Padma says. But that persistence paid off when the sisters posted photos of the finished bird on Instagram and orders started rolling in.

The crocheted birds became the signature product, but the range quickly expanded. Today, PB Handmades offers blankets, bedsheets, keychains, earrings, cradle lace, purses, and cup coasters priced between Rs 400 and Rs 5,000.

By November 2023, Padma had fulfilled 70 international orders from customers in at least 10 countries. Her creations travel from her home workspace to destinations across the globe.

Sunny's Take

What makes this story shine isn't just the entrepreneurial success. It's watching a 92-year-old woman prove that creativity and purpose have no expiration date.

After completing her daily household chores of cooking, cleaning, and watering plants, Padma settles onto a swing at home that serves as her workplace. She dedicates at least three hours every day to her craft, her fingers still nimble with the crochet hook.

Her granddaughters handle the online presence and logistics while Padma focuses on what she does best: creating beautiful handmade pieces with decades of skill woven into every stitch. The partnership bridges generations, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern e-commerce.

Three generations now share in this unexpected venture that transformed a lifelong passion into a thriving business, proving that the best chapters can be written at any age.