From Sourdough to Etsy: How a Simple Idea Became Something Cozy

It started, like many of my favorite projects do, with sourdough.

It was a chilly fall morning, and my starter was sitting on the counter, struggling to rise in our cold kitchen. I’d been crocheting a lot that season, cozy projects, warm yarns, little touches that made home feel softer, and I wondered if I could make something to keep my starter warm.

So I grabbed my hook, some extra yarn, and a little curiosity… and the jar sweater was born!

At first, it was purely practical, just a small crochet cozy to keep my jar warm while the wild yeast worked its magic. But then, something unexpected happened: a sourdough influencer found my post, shared it, and encouraged me to open an Etsy shop. (Thanks Mandy!!)

I still remember that message!! It felt like a gentle nudge from the universe saying, “Do it.”

So I did.

Over a year later, my little Etsy shop is still going strong. Each jar sweater I make carries that same blend of creativity and comfort that inspired the very first one. Most people are using them as sourdough starter warmers but I’m sure some have found other uses for them and that’s the beauty of handmade things, they find their own purpose once they leave your hands.

This whole experience has reminded me how often our most meaningful projects come from the smallest sparks, a cold morning, a little curiosity, and a desire to make something useful and beautiful at the same time.

If you’ve ever thought about turning one of your “what if” ideas into something more, maybe this is your nudge too.

🛒 You can find my handmade jar sweaters and other cozy creations on Etsy — shop here.