Well, the day has FINALLY arrived!!!! Today is the release of the first of the patterns in our 1st anniversary CAL “Friends Around the World”.

Event link:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1526445664325311/

Our first designer is Valerie Bracegirdle. She designs crochet and knitting accessories, is a technical editor for other designers, as well as for some publications. Plus, she somehow finds time to run workshops and teach crochet!

Valerie had not one, but two designs featured at Yarndale. She had a scarf and a cowl on display there. For those of us unfamiliar with Yarndale, it is a very popular British yarn festival that features workshops, demos and exhibitors. It’s a very well attended event with this years numbers reaching around 7,000! And it’s not uncommon to run into your favorite designer during the course of the weekend. If interested, the next Yarndale will be on September 24th and 25th 2016, so mark your calendars.

Visit Valerie’s blog Agrarian Artisan, The Accidental Designer, for more of her designs. You can also find her designs on Ravelry, Etsy, Craftsy and several other places. (These are listed on her blog).

Blog:
http://agrarianartisan.com/

Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/designers/agrarian-artisan

Below you will find a brief description of Valerie’s designs. She’s said this “The square(s) is designed for inexperienced crocheters, so you will find I use some crochet ‘longhand’ rather than ‘shorthand’. All skill levels will throughly enjoy making them.

Week 1, March 22nd:

OCTOGHAN
The exquisite Octoghan Square couldn’t be more appropriate to kick off our Anniversary CAL. This fun and easy square was designed with the beginner in mind. The 8 points, created by a combination of double and treble crochet stitches show us that the way around the world goes in every direction.

Week 2, March 29th:
FLOWER SQUARE
The square is exactly as the name suggests. That’s all I’m telling, after all this is only a sneak peek. 😉 You’ll have to wait till next week to find out more.

You will find the pattern for Week 1 on Valerie’s blog as well as on her Ravelry Page. (Links above) Check back at either next Tuesday for the pattern for Week 2.

Additionally you will find links to these and all the patterns in “Friends Around the World” CAL our Under Photos in the album section.

Let’s give Valerie a round of applause for her generous contributions & discover more of her wonderful designs on her blog, Ravelry page etc. – look for the Seamless Long Cowl – it’s one of my favorites!

Please post pictures of your finished square! We can’t wait to see your creativity at work!!!

Happy crocheting!

Laurene