Welcome to "Getting To Know You" on the blog. This is an opportunity for our members to share a little bit about themselves, and for us to learn more about each other and continue the family feel after leaving the annual conference. Although we may crochet by ourselves in our own homes, we are not alone in our love of crochet, and we have more in common than we realize. By sharing our experiences and knowledge, we will all learn something new about each other and the art of crochet! This month, enjoy getting to know...
Swaantje Sass
Location:
Atlanta, GA
How many years crocheting and/or how did you
learn to crochet?
I learned how to crochet on 1/21/12 and it changed my
life. I learned to knit first in 2011
which led to my taking a crochet class the following year at a Girl Scouts weekend
leader retreat…and thus began my love affair with crochet. Thank you, Laurie Hackworth, for teaching me
how to crochet - life today without crochet
would be so unfulfilling!
What is your favorite crochet hook?
Amy Shelton wrote about Tulip Etimo crochet hooks during her
3/29/15 segment in Crochetville’s designer blog tour for NatCroMo (National
Crochet Month). You know what? They do “glide like butter through every
yarn” and after having tried many hooks, I can confidently say that they are my
favorite, too! The largest Tulip Etimo
crochet hook is a K/6.5mm so I use Clover Amour for 7mm & up.
What is your favorite yarn?
I love lively colors and my projects tend toward DK (3), worsted (4), and chunky (5) weight yarns. I really like the color variations in Patons ColorWul, and Lion Brand’s Vanna’s Choice Tapestry and Unique. I like the feel of Berroco Comfort Chunky and The Sassy Skein yarns are so vibrant (mercerized cotton). For crocheting fine apparel, I use merino wool, nylon, metallics, and bamboo. Felting wool is fun, too. When crocheting scrap-tastic items, I often combine yarn weights. Acrylic yarn is convenient
because it’s easily washed, cost-friendly, & readily available at craft stores, however, I really dislike the pilling, fuzzy quality most seem to have.
What is your favorite crochet stitch?
The crab and pom-pom stitches for edging – brilliant!
Do you prefer a written pattern, a chart, or
both?
I prefer written patterns but use charts (if provided) when
the written directions are not clear.
What is your favorite item to make?
I like crocheting skirts, purses, hats, scarves, baby gifts,
household items like magic hot pads & pot holders, and I really enjoy Jenny
King’s Get Squared technique.
Who do you crochet for?
Gift-giving always brings me joy so I crochet a lot of items for my family, friends, daughter’s teachers/bus driver, hairdresser, etc! Birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays - everyone knows to expect crochet from me – whether they like it or not! ;-)
How long have you been a CGOA member, and what is a fond memory from a CGOA Conference if you’ve attended one?
I have been a CGOA member since 2013 and have attended 4 CGOA (and 3 Stitches South) conferences to date. Having been a rowdy newbie in the Buddy Program (you may remember us from the 2013 Concord, NC conference) was such a great time that I decided to chair the committee last year and again for 2017. If you are new to CGOA conferencing, make sure to sign up for the Buddy Program during registration and I’ll pair you with a seasoned conference-goer/mentor and some other newbies to hang out with who will make your conference experience all the more enjoyable. This year’s Chain Link conference will be held in the Chicago area at the Westin Chicago Northwest, Itasca, IL - July 26-29. Book your hotel room now (Crochet Guild 2017 room block rate) and go to crochet.org for more conference info. I hope to meet you there!
Do you belong to a local CGOA chapter in your area?
Hard to believe but there was not an Atlanta CGOA chapter when I founded The Happy Hookers in June of 2016. We meet every 2 weeks and have over 50 members now on the Facebook group page. We have an on-going chemo caps & hats drive for cancer patients, visited an alpaca farm, and spent a crochet retreat weekend in Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. If you live in the Atlanta area and would like to join a chapter, we’d love to have you! https://www.facebook.com/groups/thehappyhookersatlantacrochet/
What are your crochet goals for the future?
My goals simply are to do all that I can for the members of CGOA while serving on the Board & guiding my chapter, to advance my crochet skills, and to share my love of crochet with all who will listen - from teaching beginners to crocheting in public!
Any crochet tips that you would like to share?
1. For crocheting in the round, learn the Magic (adjustable) Ring and use it instead of joining a chain to create a circle unless you want a center hole.
2. When crocheting a simple back and forth project (scarf, blanket), eliminate using the awkward chain 2, 3, or 4 and skipping stitches to start the next row - just chain 1, turn, and work the next stitch in the first stitch (this works well with dc, hdc, and tr stitches).
3. Instead of joining a new strand of yarn with a slip stitch and chain, use a “standing” or “air” stitch join.
Do you have any other favorite past times, interests, sports, or crafts you enjoy doing?
Hoarding cats. Just kidding - I only have 4 cats..!
Anything you would like to share, not covered above?
I feel very lucky to have crochet in my life. I’m pretty sure my family doesn’t feel that way though!
Thanks for asking me to participate!
Thank you for sharing with us Swaantje, it's been fun "getting to know you"!
Become a CGOA member today, click HERE to join.
Have a great day!
Carolyn
Carolyn
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If you would like to be a featured member, please contact her HERE.
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