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 Mary Onorati
Our featured designer of the day is Mary Onorati of Kickin Crochet. You can find Mary’s patterns in her Ravelry store, Etsy shop, and website.
I’m a mom of four, science nerd, bookaholic, Pacific Northwesterner, and, of course, crocheter! I love learning new techniques and have lately been drawn to interlocking crochet and Tunisian crochet. I’d also love to create more designs for menswear in the future.
Mary’s Special for Our Readers
Get 50% off everything in Mary’s Ravelry shop with the code NatCroMo – good now through the end of the month (offer ends 3/31/2021).
Mary’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 wouldn’t say that I am inspired by specific songs, but I love music in general. I grew up playing clarinet, and I still play piano regularly. With four kids in the house the noise level has ramped up so much that I usually prefer crocheting in the quiet hours at night, but sometimes I’ll pop on some classical in the background. Sometimes a little music can help clear my head to make more room for creative idea
Designer Showcase: The Opening Act
Pattern name: Moss Stitch Mug Rug
Get the pattern: https://kickincrochet.com/moss-stitch-mug-rug-pattern/
About the pattern: This one is a free pattern available on my blog, and it’s actually one of a set of three mug rugs I designed (the PDF for the trio is also available on Ravelry). I’m a fan of moss stitch – it’s simple, so super beginner friendly, but it looks great!
Intermission
Tell us about one (or more) of your favorite crochet-related items.
I love my Furls Odyssey crochet hooks, with a runner-up favorite hook being Clover. Also – retractable tape measures – where would we all be without retractable tape measures?! I’m pretty sure my kids have squirreled away at least a half a dozen of them somewhere in my house, so I keep having to buy more. Ooooh, and my yarn swift and ball winder. My boys are always so excited when I buy more yarn, because it means they’ll get to use the swift and winder!
Designer Showcase: The Showstopper
Pattern name: Synergy Square
Get the pattern: https://kickincrochet.com/synergy-interlocking-crochet-square/
About the pattern: This square is the first design I created using interlocking crochet in the round, and I totally love the result. The inner part of the square reminds me of New Mexico (where I lived for about a year). For those unfamiliar with interlocking crochet, it’s a technique where two crochet meshes are worked around each other to create colorwork designs. It’s actually made using just chain and double crochet stitches until the last row. This design is free on my blog as well (with a PDF option), and includes a full video tutorial for those new to interlocking crochet.
Designer Showcase: Designer’s Choice
Pattern name: Braided Rose Fingerless Gloves
Get the pattern: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/braided-rose-fingerless-gloves
About the pattern: These gloves were a labor of love, using fingering weight yarn and crochet cables. The palms are smooth single crochet because I really don’t like lumps under my hands when I grab things (who does?!). They come sized for women’s Small, Medium, and Large with matching hat, cowl, and headband available as well.
Follow Mary Online
Here’s where you can connect with Mary online to be sure you don’t miss any of her new designs!
- Website: kickincrochet.com
- Blog: kickincrochet.com/blog
- Instagram: @kickin_crochet
- Facebook: @kickincrochet
- YouTube: youtube.com/kickincrochet
- Pinterest: @kickincrochetdesigns
- Etsy: Kickin’ Crochet Etsy shop
- Ravelry: Kickin’ Crochet Ravelry store
- Newsletter: Subscribe to Kickin’ Crochet free newsletter
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