Mumbai Grandma Builds Global Crochet Brand at 73

At 73, most people might think about slowing down, but Chandraprabha Parihar in Mumbai was just getting started on something beautiful.

She learned crochet decades ago but set her needles aside when family responsibilities took priority. Life moved forward, and her creative passion waited patiently in the background.

When lockdown arrived in 2020, everything slowed down. Chandraprabha found herself with time to pick up her yarn again, and the muscle memory returned like greeting an old friend.

Her daughter-in-law Swati noticed the delicate bags and jackets taking shape and started sharing photos on Instagram. They had no grand business plan, just pride in beautiful handmade work.

The first posts earned about 50 likes, which felt like a huge celebration. Then the first order came through, followed by another, and another.

Chandraprabha tackled each custom piece with fearless creativity. "I'm never scared to try a new design. I am always confident that I can do it," she says.

One jacket inspired by Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt became a viral hit. The intricate neck patterns challenged her skills, but she figured it out with patience and determination.

In 2023, they made it official and launched Nayher, named after Chandraprabha's childhood home where she first learned to stitch. The name carries decades of memories and connects her past with this unexpected new chapter.

Sunny's Take

Here's what makes this story shine beyond the beautiful crochet work. Chandraprabha didn't let age define what was possible for her. She approached complex patterns with confidence instead of doubt, turning each challenge into creative joy. Her simple motto captures something profound: "I like to keep working. It keeps my mind busy."

The business now receives around 50 orders monthly, each piece handmade with care. What began in one Mumbai home has reached customers across India and six countries including the United Kingdom, Dubai, Canada, Australia, the United States, and Poland.

Their Instagram following has grown from those first 50 likes to over 160,000 people who follow along with each new creation. Swati handles the social media while Chandraprabha focuses on what she loves most: bringing yarn to life.

What started as a way to fill quiet lockdown hours has become purpose, income, and confidence wrapped into one beautiful package.