Discover Slaywithcrochet: Edmonton’s Nigerian Canadian Artisan Crafting Crochet Fashion

Hailey Bell
Aug 12
3 min read

Name: Oluwatunmise Ajayi

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Category: Small Biz Owner / Artisan

💬 INTRODUCTION

Meet Tunmise — the creative soul behind Slaywithcrochet, a brand that’s redefining handmade style in Edmonton.

Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, Tunmise moved to Canada in 2023 to study Business Administration in HR Management at NAIT. But her journey as a maker started much earlier — when her sister first taught her to crochet as a child. That spark turned into a passion, and today, her vibrant, meaningful crochet pieces reflect not just talent, but deep personal and cultural roots.

Her work is more than wearable art — it’s a reminder that handmade still matters. Every stitch is intentional. Every piece tells a story.

Now part of Edmonton’s growing community of creatives and entrepreneurs, Tunmise is building something from the ground up — with resilience, creativity, and heart.

🔥 THE PASSION

While crochet was something Tunmise learned when she was younger, it wasn’t until 2020, during the pandemic, that the spark truly reignited. With more time and fewer distractions, she stumbled upon a crochet piece online and was instantly intrigued. That curiosity led her back into the world of yarn and hooks — creating everything from bralettes to roses to bikinis just to stay busy and inspired.

"YouTube was — and still is — such a big part of my journey,"

she says. With encouragement from friends and family, and a lifelong love for fashion, she officially launched Slaywithcrochet in June 2021.

Her motto? If I can’t sew, I should crochet good then… lol.

When things get tough, it’s the people who believe in her — and her own desire not to disappoint herself — that keep her going.

🇨🇦 COMMUNITY & CANADIAN PRIDE

For Tunmise, being a Canadian creative is all about creating for diverse audiences, incorporating culture, and staying expressive and unique. As a Nigerian-born artisan now living in Edmonton, her work reflects a blend of backgrounds — and she’s proud to bring that cultural richness into everything she creates.

Her art connects her to both her roots and her new home. It’s her way of contributing to the creative fabric of Canada — with colour, intention, and pride.

🚀 BUILDING THE DREAM

When asked about standout moments in her journey, Tunmise doesn't just name one — every moment stands out. From the joy of seeing her customers love and cherish her creations, to the impact she’s made through teaching workshops, and the community support she receives online — it all matters deeply to her.

These moments, big or small, remind her that she’s not just building a business — she’s building something meaningful, piece by piece.

🤝 NETWORKING SPOT

Tunmise is all about collaboration. One dream collab? Working with a travel creator.

She’s full of ideas for crochet designs inspired by adventure, movement, and culture — and would love to bring that vision to life through someone else’s travel lens.

“I’m a big fan of traveling and exploring,” she says. “And I’d love to express that through my lens — or someone else’s.”

🌈 CLOSING

What’s next for Tunmise?

She’s thinking a fall collection or a community event might be on the horizon. But the bigger vision is clear: one day, Slaywithcrochet will be a global brand.

It’s a work in progress, and she’s patiently waiting for that time to come.