You’ve arrived at the annual NatCroMo Blog Tour! What is that, you ask? It’s a virtual celebration of National Crochet Month with new blog content daily throughout March, including featured crochet designers, free patterns, discounts, giveaways, and more.
This year our theme is The Crochet Concert and we are celebrating music as creative inspiration. Each featured designer’s showcase will include an “Opening Act” (a quick or easy pattern); “Intermission” (the designer’s favorite crochet tools, yarn, or books); a “Showstopper” (an impressive or unique pattern); and “Designer’s Choice” (any pattern of the designer’s choice).
See all of this year’s tour here: NatCroMo Blog Tour 2021.
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About April Garwood
Our featured designer today is April Garwood of Banana Moon Studio. Be sure to visit her blog today to read her post celebrating National Crochet Month!
Here’s where you can get April’s patterns:
Hi there! I am April Garwood and I blog about yarn-crafting at BananaMoonStudio.com. I got my start designing in 2010 by publishing in magazines like Interweave Crochet and Crochet Today!. I’ve also designed for yarn companies like Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts and Cascade Yarns. Over the past few years, I’ve shifted to blogging and self-publishing. I enjoy the freedom of working without deadlines and designing what interests me instead of an editor. I really love designing garments and accessories that match today’s trends and styles. I love to crochet and learned how at age 10. I picked up knitting in my 20s, and spinning in my 30s, so you will find patterns, tutorials, and reviews for all three crafts on my website, newsletter, and social media channels. My husband, Dan, and I have been married for almost 18 years and we have four daughters. I also love to hike and bake. As I always say, happy crocheting!
April’s Special for Our Readers
Get 50% off patterns in April’s Ravelry pattern store March 1-3, 2021 with the coupon code in her special NatCroMo blog post! To get the coupon code, visit April’s blog.
April’s Creative Inspiration
Is music a source of inspiration for your crochet creativity? Or do you listen to music while you crochet? If so, tell us about it. If not, what is something else that helps fuel your creative inspiration?
I have loved music all of my life! My dad is a lover of music and I learned that love from him. I played the trumpet and the French horn in band during my middle and high school years. I also love to sing, and if you were to pass me on the road I’m sure you would see me passionately belting out a song, heedless of how that might look, LOL. I often have music playing in the house while I’m working on yarn-crafts, or working around the house. It energizes me! Music also speaks to me deeply and sometimes brings me to tears. Music is a definite inspiration in my life!
Can you recommend one or two songs/pieces of music you find inspirational?
- A song that grounds me: “Be Still My Soul” by Kari Jobe
- A song that reminds me of my childhood: “Daydream Believer” by the Monkees (I was not born in the 60’s, but I watched reruns of the Monkees TV show as a child in the 80s).
- A song that reminds my early years of motherhood: “Come Away With Me” by Norah Jones
- A song that I just love the sound of: “Good Life” by OneRepublic
- A song that I love to belt out: “Defying Gravity” by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenowith (from the musical, Wicked)
- A song that is just fun: “Better When I’m Dancin'” by Meghan Trainor
- And so many more!
Design Showcase: The Opening Act
Pattern name: Bloom Headband
Get the pattern: http://bananamoonstudio.com/2015/06/15/bloom-headband-free-crochet-pattern/
About the pattern: Adorn your lovely locks with this crochet fascinator headband. The pattern includes written instructions for 4 different flowers. Make them in any color and sew them to any size elastic headband to complement a favorite outfit. These flower patterns can also be used as appliques or to attach to alligator clips or brooch pins.
Intermission
Tell us about one (or more) of your favorite crochet-related items.
I have a set of hand-turned wooden crochet hooks made by an artisan from Washington state. His name was Jim Price, and he sold his hooks on his blog, Jimbo’s Front Porch. He hasn’t posted in years now, so he isn’t selling his hooks any longer. I love this set of hooks! They are so comfortable to work with. I have them in a mason jar in my studio and I use them more than any other hooks I have.
Design Showcase: The Showstopper
Pattern name: Sonoran Sunset Wrap
Get the pattern: http://bananamoonstudio.com/2018/07/18/free-crochet-shawl-pattern-sonoran-sunset-wrap/
About the pattern: The Sonoran Sunset Wrap is a showstopping piece made in two colorways of sock yarn that have subtle color changes within them. It makes an elegant, colorful accessory over a contrasting solid top. Make this luxurious wrap for every day comfort or for a special occasion!
Design Showcase: Designer’s Choice
Pattern name: Heartbeat Scarf
Get the pattern: http://bananamoonstudio.com/2021/01/16/heartbeat-scarf-valentine-crochet-project/
About the pattern: Heartbeat Scarf is a granny stitch scarf perfect for all your sweethearts! It uses intarsia colorwork techniques to make the fun heart shape at each end. You can make this for a Valentine, or for any time that you want to show some love!
Parting Thoughts…
Hi there! This is me wearing my most recent crochet design, Primula Scarf. In this photo I’m out in the woods outside our home. Best wishes to you all and happy National Crochet Month!
Follow April Online
Here’s where you can connect with April online to be sure you don’t miss any of her new designs!
- Website: BananaMoonStudio.com
- Blog: BananaMoonStudio.com
- Instagram: @BananaMoonStudio
- Facebook: facebook.com/BananaMoonStudio
- Twitter: @BananaMoonStdio
- YouTube: youtube.com/c/bananamoonstudio
- Pinterest: pinterest.com/BananaMoonStudio
- Etsy: bananamoonstudio.etsy.com
- Ravelry: ravelry.com/designers/april-garwood
- Newsletter: Subscribe to the Banana Moon Studio free newsletter
How lovely these patterns are! I admire your talent. I came to this site looking for info on Jimbo, and sadly, it doesn’t appear there is any to be had. You are indeed fortunate to have a set of his hooks; many of them were hand whittled. I am guessing he no longer whittles or crochets on this earthly plain, but he has left us his hooks and International Crochet Day to remember him by ❤️
Hi, Susan! I’ve tried to get in touch with Jimbo, but haven’t heard back. He lived in Washington state, and sadly, no one has heard from him since the 2018 wildfires there. We’ve all been worried! I wish we had answers.