This week, our Ram of the Week is someone who has a passion and uses it for fun and profit. Not only does senior Dayita Sharma wear many hats – NHS treasurer, professional Science Olympiad member, and IB student, and Banner news editor to name a few – for the past few weeks, she has been knitting new hats. This up-and-coming businesswoman has been creating customized knitted apparel for students.

Though she was five years old when she learned how to knit, it all started when she made a scarf for her friend who got into Duke, attracting attention from other college-bound seniors. Since college apparel from bookstores and other venues is often expensive, they were excited about this alternate opportunity. Some offered to pay, and the rest was history.  

Sharma created an Instagram (knittingbydayita) and her friends spread the word: so far 15 people have bought her products, with more customers expected.

Although college apparel is where she found initial success, she wants prospective buyers to know that customized knitwear has no limits. “I can monogram your initials, create a PROM? hat, anything you want!”

Hats sell for $15, scarves for $25 – $30, and mittens for an undetermined amount. (“Ask me and we can figure something out,“ Sharma says.) If you are interested, check out knittingbydayita and contact her at her student email or Facebook.