Service Spotlight: Krochet

It’s always a treat to connect with people who are passionate about making the world a kinder place. I’m especially interested in the ways we use our skills and hobbies to enact change in our communities. Meet Makayla Hemphill, the founder of Krochet who has done just that.

Liz: Let’s start in traditional Smile Project fashion. Give me a Happiness is. 

Makayla: Happiness is crocheting with your comfort movie on!

Liz: Tell me about Krochet.

Makayla: Krochet is a knit/crochet goods shop that will eventually support and spread awareness of Functional Neurological Disorder and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder through the colors of upcoming designs for products. A percentage will go towards the respective charities! The teal of my logo represents OCD awareness and the blue and orange of the knitting needles and crochet hook represent FND awareness, both of which I have.

Liz: What is something you wish people understood about FND and OCD.

Makayla: Something I wish people would understand about OCD is that it’s not cleaning everything in sight. Instead, it is unrelenting and disturbing thoughts that drive you to do odd or harmful actions repeatedly.

Liz: What’s the driving force behind what you do and what does service mean to you?

Makayla: The driving force behind what I do is to talk about these unknown or misunderstood disorders and shed the light on them! Service to me means helping others in a tougher situation than you, and I do that by spreading awareness!

Liz: How can people support the work you’re doing or find more information about the causes you are supporting?

Makayla: To help others with OCD, ADHD, and/or fund research for FND, here are the charities:

https://fndhope.org/ and https://iocdf.org/ (OCD) and https://chadd.org/ (ADHD). And to help me and my mission/dream, here is my link tree with my website, socials, and all three charities:

https://linktr.ee/MakaylaFH

Liz: Anything else you’d like to share?

Makayla: To be real here, my life is hugely impacted by FND every single day. It is incredibly disabling for me even despite going through the therapy course. So crochet and knitting are the only things that I’ve been able to do with my life. So starting my shop has been a big deal to me!

I like to think that people say or do mean or rude things because they misunderstand or aren’t educated on the matter when it comes to disabilities, so I teach them!

[Editors Note]:

The International OCD Foundation (IOCDF) designated October as OCD Awareness Month in 2009 to raise awareness about obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and promote understanding and support for individuals and families affected by this disorder. OCD affects 1 in 40 adults in their lifetime and 1 in 100 children. It is often overlooked and belittled as a personality quirk or choice. In reality, OCD is a very real disorder that affects people of all ages and walks of life. 

October 12 – 18, 2025 is OCD Awareness Week. Per the IOCDF website: “OCD Awareness Week (#OCDweek) is a worldwide event that serves to dispel myths about obsessive compulsive disorder, break the stigma around mental illness, and provide education about the disorder and how to support those affected. For the over 200 million people worldwide living with OCD, public misconception can prevent them from accessing the timely, effective treatment they need to move from suffering to thriving. This #OCDweek, whether you share facts, tell your own story, or otherwise support OCD Awareness Week, you are making a powerful difference.”