A love for creativity, a crochet hook and a little curiosity was all it took to set Houghton resident Rashida Suleman on a journey that would span decades, and eventually inspire her own collection of handcrafted children’s clothing.

Suleman’s interest in crochet began when she was about 14 years old, after she noticed a woman working with a crochet hook outside a shop while in Vereeniging to buy bread. Fascinated by what she was doing, Suleman would stop to watch, eager to understand how the woman created the intricate patterns.

Determined to learn the craft herself, she eventually asked someone travelling to town to buy her a crochet book and hook. Although she initially struggled to understand the stitches, she persevered and gradually taught herself the skill.

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One of her earliest memorable creations was a dress she crocheted for her daughter to wear to a wedding more than 40 years ago. The outfit attracted plenty of attention, with family and friends admiring her handiwork. Suleman still treasures the garment, which serves as a reminder of how long she has been honing her craft.

Over the years, crochet remained part of her life. When her children grew older, however, she found herself looking for something creative to occupy her time, particularly during the winter months. What began as a hobby soon became a renewed passion.

Today, Suleman creates children’s dresses, baby garments and other carefully handcrafted pieces. Rather than relying on established patterns, she enjoys developing her own designs, using her imagination to experiment with different styles, colours and details.

Her attention to detail is evident in every garment. She takes pride in ensuring that buttons are securely stitched, finishes are neat, and no loose threads are left behind. For her, the quality of the workmanship is just as important as the finished design.

Her love for crochet has also begun inspiring the next generation. Recently, when her granddaughter saw what she was making, she and her other granddaughters became interested in the craft and wanted to learn from her. Suleman welcomes their curiosity, seeing it as an opportunity to pass on a skill she has cherished for decades.

The name, Creation by Wisdom, became the identity of her business after her daughter encouraged her to give her work its own label. Her husband has also played an important role in supporting her passion, becoming one of her biggest cheerleaders. Suleman said he continually encourages her to keep creating, even going as far as buying her additional thread and reminding her to take pride in how she presents her garments. His support has given her the confidence to continue doing something she loves.

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For Suleman, however, the value of her work extends beyond selling clothing. “I am not here to make money. I love helping people who don’t know,” she said.

She hopes people appreciate the time, care and effort that goes into each handmade piece, particularly in an age when many items are mass-produced.

With her creativity still flourishing and her granddaughters showing an interest in learning the craft, Suleman has no intention of putting down her crochet hook anytime soon. “I’m not done with life. Until the last breath, I’m going to carry on,” she said.

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