BORN TO CREATE
I am a Fibre Artist, Crochet Designer, Creative Teacher, Upcycling Enthusiast and Lover of Colour and Texture.
HELLO & WELCOME
Hi and welcome to my site, my name is April and I am an expert crochet designer and teacher based in Nottingham. I love to create and share that passion with others.
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WHO AM I?
Designer - Artist - Teacher! I was brought up in a creative family. My Dad is an artist, my Grandmother loves all things textiles and, for as long as I can remember, I have been creating in one form or another. From the early days of colouring books, to choosing all the arty subjects at school, right through to my university course in Textile Design and career job in Graphic Design - It's what I was born to do - Create!
I crochet, weave, felt, and sew (randomly because I always say I hate sewing but seem to be doing more of it these days!) and generally love to be making. Kids crafts are always a win too! I think I enjoy these activities more than my girls do as I'm often the last one at the table.
I crochet, weave, felt, and sew (randomly because I always say I hate sewing but seem to be doing more of it these days!) and generally love to be making. Kids crafts are always a win too! I think I enjoy these activities more than my girls do as I'm often the last one at the table.
WHAT DO I DO?
I am a designerI love to design and have created over 20+ crochet patterns that are either available for free on my blog or can be purchased as instant downloads from my Etsy store. Despite my many years of crocheting, I have very little experience of following other peoples patterns, I have of course followed some (because I too have to learn), but I love nothing more that making something my own and putting my own spin on it.
My favourite things to design are amigurumi and crochet colourwork homewares and always like to offer customisable elements within my patterns so that you too can make them your own. |
I am a teacherI absolutely love to share what I do with others and have been teaching crochet for over 10 years, including group workshops, community events, private lessons, creative parties and with anyone that shows an inkling of an interest - be warned, if you mention you'd like to learn just once in my direction, I will no doubt teach you at some point soon after!
I have recently ventured into the world of YouTube and will be expanding my range of video tutorials and guides over the coming months, which is super exciting because I will be able to share my skills and enthusiasm with so many more people around the world. |
I am an artistOne of my biggest passions is sustainability, sustaining and developing traditional crafts as well as practising a make-to-and-mend ethos. Over the past four years I have become increasing involved within community arts, project managing and creating joint community projects and installations, including Joining lines 2018, yarn bombs for the Bulwell Arts Festival as well as supporting smaller community focused events. I get so much of my drive and energy from engaging with people!
These projects, as well as a deep rooted desire to make-do-and-mend (thanks Granny for your inspiration and skill sharing) have sparked new motivation for upcycling and producing less waste. |
HOW I GOT HERE
My path within this creative jungle since venturing into the real world (life after university) has been a wobbly one. Landing myself a graphic design job rather than a hands on textiles job like I had hoped was an exciting twist. 13+ years on and oodles of experience later - now, in 2021, amidst Covid-19 and redundancy, I am living my dream!
I have had one career job as a Graphic Designer and Marketing Assistant and it has helped me immensely as I jump head first in to self employment and full time Crochet Lady, Craft Lady, all round creative bean. Was graphic design enough to keep my creativity alive for all those years - nope! I have tried my hand at all sorts of business ventures, making to sell, teaching, designing, you name it I've explored it, all alongside the full time job and starting a family. It's all led me here!
My passion for crochet began when my Granny Leitha showed me the basics. Granny would always have a yarn based project on the go (she still does aged 88) and I always knew there would be a time I'd want learn to.
I began my journey some 15+ years ago by learning to knit and after a bit of knit-one purl-one and many frustrating dropped stitches I was soon ready to move on and crochet was next up. It's been a love affair ever since.
I have had one career job as a Graphic Designer and Marketing Assistant and it has helped me immensely as I jump head first in to self employment and full time Crochet Lady, Craft Lady, all round creative bean. Was graphic design enough to keep my creativity alive for all those years - nope! I have tried my hand at all sorts of business ventures, making to sell, teaching, designing, you name it I've explored it, all alongside the full time job and starting a family. It's all led me here!
My passion for crochet began when my Granny Leitha showed me the basics. Granny would always have a yarn based project on the go (she still does aged 88) and I always knew there would be a time I'd want learn to.
I began my journey some 15+ years ago by learning to knit and after a bit of knit-one purl-one and many frustrating dropped stitches I was soon ready to move on and crochet was next up. It's been a love affair ever since.
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Crochet ClinicBuilding a thriving crochet community
How-to Crochet TutorialsContent that supports your learning
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Crochet 1-2-1Teaching you to crochet at your pace
Shop PatternsCrochet patterns that you'll love
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