Valerie Bracegirdle, Featured Crochet Designer

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 Valerie Bracegirdle

Our featured designer of the day is Valerie Bracegirdle of Agrarian Artisan Designs. Be sure to visit her blog to read her post celebrating National Crochet Month! You can find Valerie’s patterns in her Ravelry designer portfolio and on Lovecrafts and Etsy.

I have designed crochet (and knitting) for over 10 years, accidentally falling into the field through my longstanding love of the craft. Even my technical editing started by accident – I queried a pattern in a magazine and was invited to write the errata! Now I design daily for my own online stores and for most popular craft magazines, and do tech editing for magazines and independent designers.

Valerie’s Special for Our Readers

Get 50% off (with coupon code) all three of today’s featured patterns: Chelford Bunting, Queen of May Wrap, and Honeycomb Web Blanket. Good in Valerie’s Ravelry shop March 20-March 31, 2021. Get the coupon code on Valerie’s blog post and use it in your Ravelry cart on these patterns:

Valerie’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 am inspired by nature and frequently whilst on holiday, when I am most relaxed. Being a Grecophile, I have spent many hours on the terrace of a Greek villa, in the shade of an olive tree, overlooking the glistening sea with the ‘orchestra’ of Greece all around – birds, bees, cicadas and crickets all singing a chorus that is natural and inspiring.

Designer Showcase: The Opening Act

Pattern name: Chelford Bunting

Get the pattern: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/chelford-bunting

About the pattern: A simple and quick floral motif which makes perfect bunting, ideal for Easter!

Intermission

Tell us about one (or more) of your favorite crochet-related items.

Hooks are the essential tools for crochet! I have many and favour the Clover Amour for everyday use, but my favourite hook is a special treat – a solid silver hook with perfect balance, bought on my annual trip to Yarndale.