Unsung Heroes #2 

BJ Licko-Keel 

By Gwen Blakley Kinsler 

BJ, a Founding Member of both CGOA and the Northern Illinois Chapter of CGOA (NICGOA), is proud to say that she celebrated her ninety-first birthday on April 3, 2025! 

 At age 5, BJ was an active child who could be bothersome at times! When her mother, an avid gardener, tried to do what she loved, she often sat BJ on a blanket to keep an eye on her. One particularly frustrating day, her mother finally gave her a hankie, thread and a small hook and told BJ to crochet! The rest is history! 

BJ is also a talented knitter and learned at an early age from her younger sister. “Crochet and knitting have been an integral part of my life since then,” she explains. “I always have a project on the hook or needles!” 

BJ recalls, with admiration, her mother’s talents. She often designed her own crochet projects, as written patterns were uncommon at the time. BJ still remembers three large window shades in their living room, made of fine thread, designed by her mother. ”It was truly an inspiration,” she says! 

With an AB degree in Psychology from the U of IL at Chicago and a BA in Photography from Columbia College, BJ enjoyed a long career in the printing/publishing industry. Her first job was at the Printing Industry of Illinois which was a great learning experience. From there, she qualified to begin work at the Publishing Division of the American Bar Association (ABA). For twenty-three years, she oversaw all publishing there! 

Getting close to retirement age in 1994, BJ began looking to join a group of stitchers. Coincidentally, Threads Magazine advertised the Inaugural Crochet Conference, “Ancient Roots ~ New Beginnings,” and BJ called the contact number. It was Me! 

After enjoying that first conference, BJ attended each one thereafter until 2019! Looking back on the many experiences and different states where they were held, she talked about her transformation as a stitcher. “I met friends from across the US and other countries, that without CGOA I would not have. Amazing designers and teachers inspired me with their skills and willingness to share their techniques.” 

An active member of her chapter, NICGOA, BJ always got to the meetings despite the hour-long drive in heavy traffic. “I always helped the chapter whenever I was needed, and I served a two-year term as President. After earning the Craft Yarn Council Certificate of Teaching Skills in 1995, I found so much joy in teaching, not only at Chain Link Conferences, but at my local chapter and in my suburban area as well. Guided by her bond with other designers, BJ is adept at the intricacies of both crochet and knitting which enables her to combine the best of both techniques. She served on the CGOA Education Committee as a Portfolio Reviewer. 

“Because of my art background, I am intrigued with the graphic qualities of crochet. I have an extensive collection of stitch dictionaries and a diverse collection of historic patterns.” 

Volunteering for CGOA both locally and nationally, is very personal for BJ. “My interest in the personal contact found at meetings along with the opportunity to teach others motivates me.” Her joy from teaching and her interest in antique crochet patterns merged with the publication of Magical Misers Purses ~ Crochet Patterns with Victorian Inspiration, co-authored in 1999.  

Since retiring from teaching crochet, BJ has donated her time to Hospice of the Calumet Area in Munster, Indiana. She makes original-design crochet lap robes, afghans, and knitted shawls, and devotes her stash yarn to these projects. The finished sizes are most useful in this patient care environment where there is great need. To get involved, check with your local area Hospice. 

For thirty years, BJ has been a living example of the Mission of CGOA: 

To provide education 

Embrace innovation 

Create connections 

While setting a national standard for crochet 

BJ has generously offered to share her original design edging pattern. She requests that you download it for your personal use only.

 PEACOCKS-TAIL-EDGING HANDKERCHIEF

	Materials:	Handkerchief with scalloped, hem-stitched edging (approximately 10 hem-stitches per scallop) 1 ball size #20 crochet cotton thread (approximately 200 yards) in your choice of color Size 10 (1 .30mm) or size Il (1 .10mm) steel crochet hook steel sewing needle (for sewing in ends)
	Finished Size:	Will depend UPOn size of handkerchief. Model is 9-1/2 inches square not counting edging.
	Gauge:	One 10-stitch repeat per scallop
	Definitions:	Ch(s) = chain(s), sl st(s) = slip stitch(es), SC(s) = single crochet(s), dc(s) = double crochet(s), 5-ch p(s) = 5-chain picot(s)
	Stitch Guide:	To make 5-chain picot: ch 5, sl st in stitch just below first ch made.
	Instructions:	To begin, attach thread in the hem-stitched space at bottom of the first "valley" in the first scallop to the left of any corner.
FOUNDATION Row: PATTERN ROW:			Ch 1 , sc in same place, sc into next 9 hemstitched spaces, * 10 scs into next 10 hemstitched spaces of next scallop, in the extra space at the corner (sc, ch 5, sc); repeat from * until the foundation row is completed, ending with a sl st in the first sc. (Note: If a scallop does not have exactly 10 spaces, adjust the number of stitches by increasing or decreasing a stitch. To increase, make 2 scs in the same space; to decrease, (yo and bring a loop through the next space) twice, yo and bring a loop through all 3 loops on hook.) To begin the first motif, ch 1 , sc in the first stitch (in same place as sl st), 4 scs in next 4 scs, ch 5, 5 scs in next 5 scs.

Follow instructions for B and C below to complete the first motif.

A)            For following motifs, * scs in next 5 scs, ch 5, 5 scs in next 5 scs.

B)            Ch l , turn, sc in first sc, in ch-5 sp (5 dcs, 3 trs, 5 dcs), skip next 4 scs, sl st in fifth sc.

C)            Ch l , turn, skip sl st, (sc in next st, ch 3) 6 times, sc in next st, 5-ch p, sc in same st, (ch 3, sc in next st) 6 times, sl st in side of sc, sc in last foundation st.

Repeat from * across first side, ending with a sc in the last sc of repeat in foundation row just before the corner stitches.

To make corner motif:

D)            Sc in first corner sc, in corner ch-5 sp (4 scs, ch 5, 4 scs), sc in second corner sc.

E)            Ch 1 , turn, sc in first sc, in ch-5 sp (5 dcs, 3 trs, 5 dcs), skip next 4 scs, sl st in fifth sc.

F)             Ch l , turn, skip sl st, (sc in next st, ch 3) 6 times, sc in next st, 5-ch p, sc in same st, (ch 3, sc in next st) 6 times, sl st in side of sc, sc in last foundation st.

Complete the following three sides, ending with a corner and 

a final pattern scallop. Join the round with a sl st in first sc;

 fasten off the thread and carefully sew in the ends.

FINISHING: Rinse the hankie with a mild detergent, and either pin out the scallops and air-dry, or carefully iron out each scallop with the iron set at "cotton."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ **To all members: I am looking for future “Unsung Heroes” to interview. If your chapter has a member who you think deserves this honor, 

please contact me at crochetkween@gmail.com 

 

The Mission of CGOA:

The Crochet Guild of America provides

education,

embraces innovation,

and creates connections,

while setting the national standard of crochet

 

To all members: I wish to interview future “Unsung Heroes” for this Series. If your chapter has a member whom you think deserves this honor by setting an example of the Mission of CGOA, please contact me at crochetkween@gmail.com

 Unsung Heroes #1

Pam Oddi

By Gwen Blakley Kinsler

Pam Oddi has a long history of serving CGOA as a volunteer. 

I wanted to catch up with her, just as the 30^th Anniversary Celebration was ending, to hear her thoughts on three decades as an avid supporter of our beloved organization.

Pam Oddi

She attended the Inaugural Crochet Conference in1994 and brought a wealth of abilities along: computer and organizational skills plus experience with not-for-profit groups. While at her first conference, Pam was happy to help wherever needed; getting involved became her contribution at each consecutive conference. Her path to CGOA leadership was becoming evident!

Volunteering to take over the Chain Link Newsletter in 1995 led Pam to become the CGOA Vice President in 1996. During her tenure, she coded the first website for the fledgling organization. She also had the foresight to obtain the domain name that is still in use today: crochet.org! Pam thinks of her work for CGOA, as the webmaster from 1996-2006, with pride as one of her “lasting contributions.”

I asked Pam if she has a favorite saying, and she recalled her mother encouraging her to realize that “one gets out of volunteering what is put into it.” Pam stepped up to be the CGOA President and served from 1997 until 1999. She says, “My membership afforded me the opportunity to meet a diverse group of crocheters, as well as famous designers from so many places in the US and the world. Crocheters become fast friends and designers are real people who know me.”

Having attended several conferences, Pam got to know members of the Northern IL Chapter of CGOA (NICGOA). In 1999 she moved to Illinois with her husband, Andy, from Northern Minnesota.  Soon after, she joined NICGOA and has been a member ever since! Her service to her chapter became her focus, yet she always maintained her dedication nationally to CGOA. Pam believes that “Each CGOA member needs only to determine what skills they can offer. Each of us has something that we can contribute; and it is sure to lead to a feeling of belonging to the group!”

Pam wanted to find connection especially the in-person kind, to find meaning and purpose in her hobby. She hopes to inspire other CGOA members to do the same.

When I asked Pam what she discovered that is unique to crochet or is personal to her, she quickly responded. “Crochet cannot be done by machine; it cannot be mass-produced! Calling herself a “progressive activist,” Pam quips, “I need to learn to do that!”

Pam’s long-time membership in CGOA has had many rewards in addition to her friendships. She believes that for everyone effort is required to get the most out of membership.  She recalls, “I went to all the conferences, took all the classes, and earned the CYC Teaching Certificate. I can now write patterns or modify others. It would not have happened without CGOA.”

She explains, “Today crochet is my passion and volunteering for the Crochet Guild of America is my hobby.” In recognition of her many years of service to the Guild as a living example of the Mission of CGOA, Pam received a Lifetime Membership in 2004!