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Afya Ibomu Gets Her Crochet On
by L'Tanya Durante

Here’s a little word association game for you. If someone were to say the word “hip” or “cool,” what would be the first word to come to your mind?

Crochet? Well, probably not.

Author, Certified Holistic Health Counselor, and Crochet Artist Afya Ibomu is on a mission to bring crochet into the new millennium and change its reputation. Ibomu’s book, “Get Your Crochet On! Hip Hats & Cool Caps” is a collection of crocheted head coverings that you won’t find in other books. “Many people view crocheting as old-country style. When I looked at crochet books, the styles and color choices did not reflect today’s youth – this generation. Books were missing more modern and hip hop styles,” Ibomu explains.

Wanting to start a hobby, Ibomu learned to crochet in her early 20’s. She quickly picked it up and has been crocheting ever since. Crafts seem to have their own genealogical history. As it turns out, Ibomu learned that her mother crocheted while she was pregnant with her and that many of her family members also knew how to crochet.

The designs in “Get Your Crochet On! Hip Hats & Cool Caps” are stylish, functional, practical, and yes, hip. They are so hip that you may even recognize a few music industry artists sporting Ibomu’s designs.

For years, Ibomu displayed her work at Dance Africa, an annual festival in Brooklyn. The rapper, Common purchased a hat from her and later introduced her to Erykah Badu, both who appear in the book. No stranger to the music industry herself, Ibomu is married to a member of the rap group, Dead Prez.

{Common wearing "Talkin' Blues cap; pictured right.}

Although she no longer does custom orders, Ibomu used to let people choose their colors and styles. She’d spend a lot of time with them – take measurements, consult, etc. Now, her website, Nattral, showcases many of her crocheted hats, visors, and accessories where they can be purchased. Nattral also reflects Ibomu’s passion for health, culture and style.

And there’s more flava to come. By year's end, Ibomu plans to have a seasonal detoxification book, a vegetarian cookbook and a guide available. Additionally, the second book of the “Get Your Crochet On!” series, “Hot Tops and Funky Flavas,” will be released in November of 2007. It will feature crocheted halter tops and accessories and other hip, cool crochet. With every stitch, Ibomu has successfully captured the spirit of this generation and filled the gap with her crocheted designs. As a Certified Holistic Health Counselor, Ibomu delivers on her promise to educate, guide and inspire people to live a healthy, natural, and creative lifestyle. As a Crochet Artist, she delivers on her mission to upgrade crochet. Crochet is cool!

L'Tanya is the Publisher/Editor of Black Purl Magazine.
She juggles her time between her two boys, husband, cat and her needlework.
Read about her projects, the magazine, and life in her blog, Soul Stitcher.

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