Meet the Designer: CrochetHighway

Get Ready to Meet the Designer Behind "Harmony" – Ana-Maria from CrochetHighway!

If you’ve ever been curious about what goes on behind the scenes of a crochet design, you’re in for a treat! We’re absolutely thrilled to introduce Ana-Maria Babanica, the creative mastermind behind CrochetHighway, and her upcoming "Harmony" collection. This mini collection is all about stepping outside the box and trying something new, whether you’re a seasoned crocheter or just looking for a fun challenge. 🌟

Ana-Maria has shared her journey, the inspiration behind the designs, and what makes the "Harmony" collection so special. So get comfy, and let’s dive into this exciting chat! 🎉🧶

Creative Journey: From DIY to CrochetHighway

Ever wondered how a simple hobby turns into something bigger? We did too, so we asked Ana-Maria how she got started with crochet and built her creative universe, CrochetHighway.

Ana-Maria, tell us a bit about your creative journey: How did you get started with crochet?

“I’m a do-it-yourself girlie through and through! If there’s anything I can DIY or teach myself how to do, you better believe I will. And crochet was no different!

Back in 2008, during the early days of YouTube, I began teaching myself how to crochet out of a deep and unexplainable desire to create a colorful piece of fabric that I could stick to the cover of my notebook. Yep, having cute notebooks is THAT important to me! Before long, I ventured into making hats! My first beanie was a bit of a misadventure… It ended up looking more like a beret because I misunderstood how to space out the increases. Oops!

The learning process was far from smooth. I struggled especially with how to hold the yarn, often looping it awkwardly around my index finger over and over again before I found a gripping method that felt natural. But I kept going! I was determined to improve, and that determination kept me experimenting. After a long pause, I picked up my hook again in 2021 and started CrochetHighway. And the rest is history!”

How would you describe your crochet style?

“I’m especially drawn to the bold, geometric elegance of the art deco style. Its repeating patterns and rich colors resonate deeply with me, and I’m constantly exploring ways to bring that same visual rhythm and vibrancy into my crochet designs. If I were to describe my crochet style in just a few words, it would be this: freedom to experiment with colors, textures, and details while creating custom wearables that fit well and don’t look homemade.”

What’s your all-time favorite crochet item you’ve ever made?

“Without a doubt, my favorite piece is the Scorpio Raglan! It was a true labor of love, and months of planning, experimenting, and refining went into it. Not only was it my first time designing a garment in interlocking crochet, but it was also my first fully reversible design. I created it in two distinct variations: a cozy, long-sleeved pullover for winter and a breezy, short-sleeved top for summer. Each version isn’t just a sleeve-length swap either; they differ in shaping around the neckline, bust and sleeves, making them feel like entirely separate garments.

Seeing such a complex vision come to life in a way that’s both functional and beautiful was incredibly rewarding. It reminded me just how much is possible with yarn and a hook.”

What’s your favorite place to crochet?

“I do most of my crochet work at home. I also love taking my current WIP with me anywhere I go. My husband is almost always the designated driver, so I can sit in the passenger’s seat and crochet away until we reach our destination.”

When you’re not crocheting, what does your perfect summer day look like?

“A new DIY project, long walks on the beach, playing video games with my husband, rearranging my yarn stash, or chasing my pigeon through the house, are some of the things I may be observed doing on a random summer afternoon! But let’s face it, more often than not, I am crocheting or doing crochet-adjacent tasks!”

Inside the "Harmony" Collection: Inspiration and Vibes

We’re so excited about your new "Harmony" collection! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind it?

“The Harmony collection is all about encouraging makers to push beyond their usual crochet boundaries and try something a bit more intricate and rewarding. If the designs draw you in, but you’re wondering, “Could I really make that?”, my answer is a resounding YES! My goal is to guide you every step of the way with patterns that are written with care and detail.

You won’t find vague directions like “increase evenly across” in these patterns. I break everything down, covering the fine details and technical steps so there’s no second-guessing involved. Whether you’re new to a technique or just need a little extra clarity, these patterns are designed to make complex projects feel approachable and achievable.”

What was the overall vibe you wanted to capture with the new patterns?

“Bold, joyful, and unapologetically fun! Vibrancy and texture were at the heart of it all. I wanted each piece to be bursting with color and designed it to be a true joy to make. Think soft, lightweight yarns that feel amazing on the skin, combined with patterns that not only look great but fit beautifully, too.”

How did you choose the yarns for this collection?

“For the Purpureal Shawl, I was looking for a lightweight yarn that offered excellent stitch definition, and I found exactly that in Seashell. This beautiful blend of cotton, viscose, and linen comes in a stunning array of both soft pastels and bold, vibrant shades.

I was instantly drawn to the color Lavender. It just spoke to me! I loved it so much, it actually inspired the name of the design itself. Working with this summery fiber blend was a true pleasure. The resulting fabric feels incredibly smooth and silky against the skin, and the yarn’s unique texture reminded me a bit of bouclé. It even has a subtle, sophisticated sheen (similar to mercerized cotton) that elevates the whole look. I’d absolutely use this yarn again, especially for a garment!"

“I’ve been using Friends Cotton 8/4 a lot recently while prepping some new designs for next year (can’t wait to share more!). It has quickly become one of my favorite yarns from Hobbii. The color range is phenomenal, and for the Bobble Up Raglan Top, I knew I wanted to create my own custom purple gradient to match the shawl. Choosing this yarn was an easy decision. It’s also impressively colorfast: even after multiple wet blockings, the dye has never bled. That kind of reliability has built a real trust for me with this yarn, and that’s not something I can say about many others!”

“Now, for the Florentine Cardigan: since the fabric is denser with closely packed stitches, I needed a yarn that would bring out the structure and give it a polished finish. Acacia turned out to be the perfect choice. It’s incredibly soft, yet durable and easy to work with. Despite being loosely spun, it hardly ever splits as you work, which makes the process much smoother. Plus, because it’s a heavier weight than the yarns I used for the shawl and top, the cardigan came together quicker, which is always a bonus when you’re excited to wear your creation!”

The Designs: What’s Behind the Top, Shawl, and Cardigan

For the top, what tips do you have for beginners?

“Swatching is everything! I mean it, swatch, swatch, swatch! And don’t skip blocking your swatch either! This isn’t just beginner advice; it’s a must for anyone making their own garments. In my patterns, the gauge swatch serves a dual purpose: not only does it help you check your tension and make sure you’re aligned with the pattern, but it also acts as a gentle introduction to the stitch pattern and techniques you’ll be using.

Take the Bobble Up Top, for example. The swatch instructions come with detailed, step-by-step photos showing you exactly how to form the stitches, where to place them, and even how to seamlessly transition between rounds. You’ll learn how to create a nearly invisible join at the back of your sweater, right from the swatch. It’s your secret weapon to ensure a smooth garment-making process!”

Your lacey shawl looks absolutely stunning, especially with those 3D raised flowers! Could you tell us a bit more about this project and the techniques involved in creating the beautiful texture?

“The Purpureal Shawl is easily one of my all-time favorite summer designs! At first glance, the texture looks intricate and complex, but here’s the fun secret: it’s actually just a simple 2-row repeat! The use of tall stitches and chain spaces gives it that rich, lacy feel while also making it a surprisingly fast and relaxing project once you hit your groove. The post stitches are what give it that beautiful, three-dimensional texture. It’s the kind of pattern that becomes second nature quickly. Before you know it, you won’t even need to glance at the instructions. It’s absolutely ideal for those cozy crochet sessions while binge-watching your favorite show!”

The cardigan is such a lovely and chic design! What’s your favorite part of this one?

“What I love most about the Florentine Cardigan is that it showcases my all-time favorite technique: interlocking crochet! Unlike intarsia or tapestry crochet, this colorwork method only requires working with one yarn color at a time. That means no yarn strands to carry, no floats to fuss over on the back, and a beautifully clean finish on both sides of the fabric. The result is a smooth, reversible surface with a striking geometric pattern. The construction is also pretty straightforward, with just five panels to be joined together: one back, two fronts, and two sleeves. I finished it off with my signature faux i-cord edging along the hem, collar, lapel, and cuffs, and added delicate buttons for that extra touch of elegance. It’s a design that combines eye-catching texture with timeless style!”

Exciting News! A Sneak Peek from Ana-Maria

Is there anything else we should know?

“I’m thrilled to share that my first book, Reversible Crochet Sweaters: 16 Patterns for Double-Sided Tops & Accessories Using the Interlocking Technique, is launching this November! The book is a deep dive into creating reversible crochet garments and accessories using the interlocking crochet technique, and is packed with 16 new patterns geared towards intermediate to advanced crocheters.

The book will feature a wide range of sweater styles, both seamed and seamless, with constructions worked top-down and bottom-up. Some of them use my favorite Hobbii yarns, Friends Extra Fine Merino and Winter Glow! And if you don’t feel like garments are your thing just yet, I have great news… Each sweater is paired with one or two matching accessories that use the same stitch pattern, yarn, and color palette, giving you the chance to explore and experiment even further.

Whether you’re already comfortable with garment-making and looking for a fresh challenge, or you’re just getting started and want to try your hand at striking, reversible designs through accessories first, this book is designed to inspire and empower you every step of the way. I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it! Follow me on Instagram @crochethighway for more sneak peeks and updates on the release."

Pssst! Here’s a sneak peek from Ana-Maria’s new book! 👆 On the left, she’s using our super-soft Friends Extra Fine Merino, and on the right, the stunning Winter Glow. Want to know more? Read all about it on her site ➜

Ready to Dive Into the "Harmony" Collection?

The three stunning patterns from the "Harmony" collection are now available for download! Whether you’re looking to make the cozy top, the intricate lacey shawl, or the chic cardigan, you can grab all three patterns right here on the Hobbii website.