What was once mostly associated with handmade home pieces and traditional craft is finding a fresh place in fashion, and in Eswatini, Wels Crafts is part of that shift.
Founded by Welile Dlamini, Wels Crafts began in 2020 during the COVID-19 period, when she taught herself how to crochet through YouTube. Inspired by her grandmother, who was always making things by hand, what started as a personal creative outlet has grown into a handmade fashion and design brand creating crochet bags, clothing, accessories and custom pieces. For Dlamini, the journey has been about changing the way people see crochet.
“I want to show that crochet can be more than just a craft. Itcan be fashionable, contemporary, expressive and proudly handmade in Eswatini,” she says.
The shift did not happen overnight. As Dlamini became more confident with crochet, she began experimenting beyond traditional pieces and exploring clothing and accessories with a more modern feel.
“Seeing people actually wear and love my pieces also changed my perspective,” she explains. “I began thinking less about crochet as simply a craft and more about design, styling, silhouettes, textures and how a piece makes someone feel.”
That evolution has also changed the way Wels Crafts operates. Growing interest in different designs, colours and custom pieces showed Dlamini that there was potential to build something bigger than a brand based solely on individual orders.
Participation in markets, fashion programmes and exhibitions further opened that door. One of those opportunities came through the 2026 Luju Fashion Programme, where Wels Crafts joined other local designers. The experience pushed Dlamini to approach her work with an even stronger fashion perspective.
“Luju pushed me to think more like a fashion designer,” she says. “I became more conscious of the overall look. The silhouette, styling, colours, finishing and how the pieces work together as a collection.”
It also encouraged her to experiment more freely. Instead of asking, “Can I crochet this?”, she began asking, “What can I create with crochet that feels fresh and different?”
Wels Crafts was also part of the 2026 Indalo Exhibition, an experience that placed Eswatini craft alongside contemporary design and international designers. For Dlamini, the exhibition reinforced an important point: handmade does not have to mean traditional.
“Indalo showed me that handmade craft can absolutely exist alongside contemporary and international design,” she says. “Crochet doesn’t have to be separated into a traditional craft category.”
The technique, she believes, is only one part of the story. The design, creativity, presentation and concept behind a piece can completely change how it is experienced.
With Wels Crafts now appearing in fashion platforms, exhibitions and spaces beyond social media, Dlamini’s vision for the brand has naturally grown.
“I now see Wels Crafts as more than just my crochet business. I see it as a fashion and design brand from Eswatini.”
At the same time, she does not want growth to take away from what makes the brand special.
“I still want the handmade character of the brand to remain at the heart of everything we do.”
Style It: Wels Crafts for Summer
3 Summer Looks
Crochet does not have to mean a full crochet look. In fact, some of the easiest ways to bring it into your wardrobe are through accessories and statement pieces.
- For an Eswatini summer, Dlamini’s first look would be a lightweight crochet summer dress with sandals and a statement crochet bag.
- Another option is a crochet top paired with relaxed trousers or a skirt, finished with a Wels Crafts bag for an effortless daytime outfit.
- For a getaway or day out, she suggests a crochet swim cover-up or matching summer set with simple sandals, sunglasses and a statement bag.
New To Crochet
If you are new to crochet, Dlamini recommends starting with a bag. It adds handmade texture and personality without requiring you to completely change your style. From there, you can experiment with hats, tops and eventually clothing.
Daytime and Nighttime Look
A single crochet piece can also take you from day to night. A crochet top paired with jeans or relaxed trousers and sandals creates a casual daytime look. Switch those for a skirt or tailored trousers, heels, statement jewellery and a Wels Crafts bag, and the same piece takes on a completely different feel depending on how you style it.
Incorporating Crochet to Your Wardrobe
And if a full crochet outfit feels like too much, accessories are the easiest starting point. A crochet bag, hat or statement piece can add texture to something as simple as jeans and a basic top while allowing the handmade piece such as a crochet bag or cardigan to stand out.
Colours and Textures for Summer
For summer, Dlamini is drawn to soft neutrals, blues, earthy tones and pops of colour. She also loves open, airy textures that give crochet a light and effortless feel, while combining different textures to keep pieces elegant and wearable.
Wels Crafts sits at an interesting point between craft and fashion, where traditional technique meets contemporary styling.
Its journey from self-taught crochet during lockdown to fashion programmes, exhibitions and growing consumer recognition reflects a wider shift in how handmade work can be viewed. Crochet can be simple, but it can also be fresh. It can be handmade and still feel fashion-forward. And for Wels Crafts, that is the space worth exploring.
To place an order or discuss a custom piece, follow Wels Crafts on Instagram, Facebook or WhatsApp +268 7651 4293. Custom orders can be made according to customers’ ideas, preferred colours and sizing.
