At just 26, Lovitoli B Awomi, a fibre artist from the picturesque village of Tsutoho under Satoi Circle in Zunheboto district, has stitched together a story of resilience, creativity, and purpose—one yarn at a time. Raised in a humble family that believed in nurturing dreams, no matter how small, Lovitoli’s journey is a testament to how passion, patience, and faith can transform lives.

She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Dimapur Government College in 2022 and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Sociology at St. Joseph University. While academics sharpened her understanding of society, creativity had always been a part of her identity. As a teenager, she found joy in painting, which laid the foundation of her artistic journey.

A craft born from curiosity

Crocheting entered Lovitoli’s life unexpectedly in 2020. What began as a simple moment of curiosity, after seeing a friend’s yarn accessory on WhatsApp, soon became a life-changing pursuit.

“Curious about how something so simple could become so beautiful, I shared my interest with my mother. With her encouragement and my parents’ constant support I carved a crochet hook out of bamboo for me,” he recalled in an exclusive interview with Nagaland Tribune.

“With that single handmade hook, I started making small accessories,” Lovitoli said adding, “I started creating small accessories and gradually moved on to larger pieces like bags and flowers and to my surprise, it did not take me long to learn and soon orders followed.”

As crocheted items were rare at the time, friends and family became her first customers. Word spread quickly, and orders followed. She soon launched a home-based online business on Instagram, where her work reached a much wider audience.

“I am a self-taught crocheter who learned the craft through YouTube and online tutorials,” Lovitoli said whose dedication to the art paid off. At a time when even a reach of Rs 1,000–3,000 felt significant, the response she received was overwhelming and deeply motivating.

Balancing dreams and responsibilities

Naturally introverted as a child, Lovitoli struggled to make friends. “I am a naturally patient person. As a child, I was extremely introverted and struggled to make friends,” he said adding, “However, as I entered higher secondary level, I consciously stepped out of my comfort zone. Over time, I have grown more confident and improved my ability to engage and connect with others”

She further said, “When it comes to struggles, my parents always ensured that my needs were met from college and auto fares to daily essentials. However, I chose to work alongside my studies because I wanted to lessen the financial burden on them. I took responsibility for my transportation expenses, college related costs, and my basic personal needs. I worked during periods when I did not have exams, usually for 4–5 hours a day, and sometimes 7–8 hours during holidays when handling bulk orders, with breaks in between. During examination periods, I made sure to focus entirely on my academics.”

“Balancing work and academics was challenging,” she said, “but it taught me discipline, responsibility, and time management.”

Outside of her work, Lovitoli finds joy in dance and remains deeply drawn to creativity and have an interest in all forms of art.

Giving back through art

What keeps her going, she says, is her parents’ unconditional love and belief in her. Everything she does is driven by a desire to give back for the sacrifices they made.

“I may not have one specific dream, but I deeply wish to be involved in the teaching profession, whether in academics or the arts sharing knowledge, nurturing creativity, and helping others grow,” she says.

Her journey soon expanded beyond personal success. Determined to inspire others—especially youth from financially challenged backgrounds, she began teaching crocheting to children and friends in her free time. To reach more people, she launched a YouTube channel, which has now grown into a close-knit community of around 3,000 subscribers.

“Many young people reached out to me, saying my story inspired them to start crocheting. Some even turned it into their own small business,” she shared.

Strength through faith and purpose

Lovitoli’s life has not been without struggle. As a child, she was physically weak and often faced health issues, including severe breathing difficulties that once landed her in hospital. “As a child, I was physically a little weak and could never engage in heavy work. There were moments in my life when I struggled with health issues, even reaching the hospital with difficulty in breathing,” she shared.

“Looking back, I believe God worked miracles in my life preserving me with a greater purpose. Through my journey in art, I found strength, healing, and direction, and I believe I was saved not just for myself, but to serve and help others in need,” she said.

A message to the youth

Her message to young people is simple yet powerful: “You don’t need expensive tools, big achievements, or perfect conditions to begin. I started with curiosity, faith, and whatever little I had. Skills grow with patience and consistency and willingness to learn. Use your hands, your time, and your creativity meaningfully. Let your work serve others, not just yourself and trust that even small efforts can create lasting impact when done with honesty and purpose.”