Thursday, June 13, 2013
Past Entries in CGOA Design Competition
CGOA 2010 Design Competition
CGOA 2011 Design Competition
CGOA 2012 Design Competition
There is still plenty of time to enter your new and exciting designs for the 2013 Design Competition! Please visit the Crochet Guild of America website here to find out more details. Enjoy and Good Luck!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Enter the Professional Development Committee's GIVEAWAY CONTEST!
Lion Brand is the proud sponsor of Professional Development Day which will be held in Indianapolis, IN on July 17 and in Charlotte, NC October 2. You can find all the details here http://www.knitandcrochetshow.com/ and we hope you can join us for at least one show!
What Can You Win?
Take a look and see the fabulous prize package you can win. (Disclaimer: All photos shown are meant as samples only. Yarn photos do not indicate the color that may be included in the prize package.)Copyright: All photos are copyright Lion Brand Yarn and are used with permission.
- A pack of Lion Brand's newest yarn release, Heartland, and the Royal Triangle Shawl pattern
- A pack of Bonbon mini-skeins and the Mini Granny Square Bookmarks pattern
- A skein of Kitchen Cotton and the One Ball Soap Bag pattern
- A tape measure, tote bag, and crochet hook
How Can You Enter?
To enter, simply comment on this blog post. If you've attended Professional Development Day in the past, tell us what is your favorite part about it! If you've never been, tell us why you would love to attend. You can also earn a second entry by visiting and "liking" the CGOA Professional Development Facebook page.Contest Rules
Contest will be managed by the Rafflecopter app on the CGOA Professional Development Facebook page. Winner will be selected by random drawing by Rafflecopter.
Open to U.S. and Canadian residents only.
Must be 18 years or older to enter.
Void where prohibited by law.
Contest ends July 1, 2013, at midnight EDT.
Winner will be announced on the CGOA Professional Development Facebook page.
Winner must provide a valid email address to the CGOA Professional Development Facebook page via a Direct Message to the page by midnight EDT on July 8, 2013. If a message is not received by that time, the prize package will be forfeit and another winner will be selected.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability. Winner(s) will be contacted by email 48 hours after receiving email address.
Good luck to everyone!
a Rafflecopter giveawaySunday, May 19, 2013
20th Anniversary Logo Design Contest
Professional Development Day: Social Media
Saturday, May 18, 2013
Book Review: Tunisian Cables to Crochet
Book Review: Reversible Baby Afghans
Book Review by Jennifer J. Cirka (www.jaybirddesigns.com)
When I saw the stunning blanket design on the cover of Barbara Shaffer's book, Reversible Baby Afghans, I immediately fell in love and knew I had to review this book. The impressive ripple design with the bold color accent, the fantastic textured stitches, and splendid photography shown on the cover intrigued me to see what more Ms. Shaffer had to offer. I wasn't disappointed.
Her book features 5 beautiful designs perfect for baby, or anyone else for that matter! I love how she incorporates post stitches to create surprising details, and how those details translate to the opposite side of the blanket. Sometimes it was hard for me to tell which side I liked better. All of the patterns in the book are of intermediate skill level and use light weight yarns. The directions are clearly written and I enjoyed the beautiful photography. In the back of the book you will find the general instructions along with some definitions.
Last night, my husband conveniently reminded me that a co-worker is soon to have a baby. So what did this crocheter do? Of course I grabbed some baby pink yarn and a hook and got right to work on the Building Blocks design featured in Barbara's book. I really am happy with how it is turning out. The pattern is not difficult, but looks stunning. It is easy to read and follow. I can't wait to see how the finished project turns out.
If you are looking for a unique blanket to make that will surely become a family heirloom, be sure to check out the designs in Reversible Baby Afghans by Barbara Shaffer. It will probably be my go-to baby blanket book for a while because I have absolutely fallen in love with the designs and can't wait to make each and every one of them!
Full disclosure: A free review copy of Reversible Baby Afghans was provided by Leisure Arts. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.
Book Review: Short Row Tunisian Fashion
Title: Short Row Tunisian Fashion
What is a short row, you ask?
Book Review: Crocheting with Lucy Loop
Title: Crocheting with Lucy Loop
Author: Karen D. Thompson
“Lucy hoped and hoped that one day she would be picked too. Lucy wondered which fabric she would become. Maybe a nice warm hat or a long scarf! A sweater or blanket would be a dream come true.”
Book Review: Curvy Crochet
Authors: Marlaina Bird and Jill Wright
Book Review by Jennifer J. Cirka (www.jaybirddesigns.com)
Fashion
Figure Flattering
Plus Size
she crocheted herself from the book
Full disclosure: A free review copy of Curvy Crochet was provided by Leisure Arts. Although I accept free products for review, I do not accept additional compensation, nor do I guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions.
Book Review: Crochet Scarves
Title: Crochet Scarves: Fabulous Fashions-Various Techniques
Book Review: Learn to Crochet Socks for the Family
Title: Learn to Crochet Socks for the Family
Author: Darla Sims
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Announcement: Masters Program
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Come Join the Fun!
As editor of Interweave Crochet, I am all about crochet. All day, every day. How great is that? Maybe you are just as fortunate. Maybe not.
If not, I have the next best thing for you: Close your eyes. Picture yourself in a place filled with people with hooks and yarn. People who don’t ask you if you’re knitting. People whose eyes don’t glaze over when you respond that you’re crocheting. People who don’t say “Huh, an old lady down the street used to do that.” The people in this room come up, touch your sleeve, ask what crochet stitch that is, where you got the pattern, what yarn you used. They ask if you used an inline hook to get the bullions so smooth. They might ask you if you’ve seen Lily Chin or Doris Chan or Tammy Hildebrand roaming around. Because you are that kind of person -- the kind who hangs out with Lily and Doris and Tammy, just crocheting and shootin’ the breeze.
Ok, now open your eyes and fetch your calendar (go ahead -- I’ll wait). Circle these dates: July 17-21 and October 2-6. Now dial up your Google maps. Figure out how far it is from your house to Indianapolis. Now to Charlotte. Go for whichever is closest. Then sign yourself up for the Chain Link Conference. Because you deserve to be in a room filled with crocheters who love crochet.
And, really? These people are serious fun. Don’t believe me? Check this out. (And in case you missed it there at the end, watch the video that was made at the 2010 Chain Link Conference)
You’ll learn, you’ll crochet, you’ll do nothing but breathe this great craft for three full days (and, yeah, you might have to buy a commemorative hook and a skein or two of yarn, to work on in the lobby with Doris and Tammy and Lily. Because you are that kind of person.)
I look forward to seeing you there. Let’s have a coffee and crochet a motif. Can’t wait!
Best,
Marcy
p.s. If you have some swatches and spare yarn lying around looking for a home, why not whip them up into a blanket? Our friends over at Crochetville are gathering blankets and donations for Project Night Night, which is seeking handmade blankets 50” x 60” or smaller. A patchwork blanket will help you clear out your stash and help a homeless child stay warm and feel loved. Win, win!
Friday, March 22, 2013
My name is Jane Rimmer, and I’m excited about talking to you about crochet and the CGOA. Thank you to Amy, and Donna, & Crochetville for sponsoring this month-long blog tour for National Crochet Month.
This year is my 4th and final year on the CGOA Board of Directors. It’s been fun and educational working with others who have a love of crochet. Currently I am the Treasurer for the National Board. During my years on the Board, I have been involved with several committees, related to crochet education. I have served on the Event Education committee, and served as both co-chair and Board Liaison. The Event Education committee is responsible for selecting teacher and classes for the crochet portion of the Knit & Crochet Shows. The committee also selects and holds free, education programs such as “Learn to Crochet”, “Learn to Read Patterns” and “Learn Tunisian” that have been held at recent conferences. For more information on this year’s Knit & Crochet Shows, check out the website:
This year I’ve also taken on the co-chair of the Masters Program Committee, working with Susan Lowman and a great group of reviewers. The Masters Program is a correspondence course where candidates produce a portfolio of swatches and answers to questions to show that they’ve mastered the program materials. The portfolios are then reviewed by two reviews, and the candidates received a certificate and a pin when they pass the course. For more information about the Masters Program, check at the CGOA website:
I’ve also been the CGOA email correspondent for several years. This is a volunteer position not related to the Board. It involves answering questions that people pose to the CGOA. The questions can be simple to answer, such as how to make a specific stitch, or explaining a pattern abbreviation, or where to donate an antique crocheted family item; or the questions can require a little research such as substitutions for yarn used in a vintage pattern.
My committee involvement reflect my interest in continuing education I’m an avid proponent of life long learning. And I can attest that you can spend a lifetime learning new things in crochet, and there will always be something new to learn. I have been crocheting for more than 50 years. In the past few years I’ve taken classes in broomstick lace and Tunisian techniques, building on the basics that I learned in the 1960’s. I’ve learned some beading and jewelry making, Entrelac, and delta. This year I’m looking forward to learning the crocodile stitch.
In addition to continuous learning, I love teaching, both math and crochet. I have taught at Knitters’ Day Out in the Harrisburg area, and at the Hershey Public Library, and my local CGOA Chapter. Along with teaching classes and private lessons, I am an instructor on Ravelry’s Learn Crochet group. I am also a contract crocheter, and love working with some very talented designers. I am the co-founder and current President of Those (Y)arn Crocheters, the Harrisburg Chapter of the CGOA. We meet twice monthly, once at the East Shore Library in Harrisburg and once at the Hershey Public Library. We are always welcoming new members. For more information:
My designs are in Tunisian crochet, have been published in the Crochet Pattern a Day Calendar 2007, and Across the Board 2010, 2011 and 2012. Across the Board is a publication by CGOA that features designs by members of the Board of Directors. You can obtain the pattern book by joining or renewing your CGOA membership.
Don’t forget that Crochetville is helping to support Project Night Night throughout the March for National Crochet Month. Project Night Night is a non-profit that provides a tote bag of comfort items to homeless children. I’m going add this worthwhile charity to our Chapter’s list of charities for this year. Please check out Project Night Night:
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
Get Hooked!
Mary Colucci




















