The Fun Part Begins! 

It's time to start planning your conference schedule: the 2022 class schedule is finalized and viewable. 

Registration opens in early April. Conference dates are July 20-23, 2022.

Scroll down to see our lineup of teachers.

Helpful Details for Planning Your Trip

Conference Schedule of Events. NEW THIS YEAR - Longer Lunch & Dinner Breaks so you can enjoy NOLA.

Our hotel in New Orleans is the New Orleans Marriott Warehouse Arts District. They're excited to have us! Hotel rooms reserved for our group can be booked now.

Top Notch Crochet Teachers

Learn from the best! It's what our Chain Link conferences are famous for throughout the yarn industry. Since 1995.

Only 1 week left!

The 2019 Chain Link conference is fast approaching, and there is only 1 week left to get those entries in for the fashion show.

If you are a member and attending the conference, please consider entering something! The fashion show is low key and fun, and your entry does not need to be your own design. 

We have made some changes to the entry process this year. The entry form is entirely online and is due by June 30th.

I hope to see all your lovely projects in the show!

CGOA Chain Link Conference 2018

The 2018 CGOA Chain Link Conference is fast approaching and I can’t wait! This year will be the fifth conference I have attended since I joined CGOA five years ago. What keeps me coming back year after year…the classes, the inspiration, the friendship possibilities, and the always-spectacular marketplace. A huge bonus…the location of this years’ conference – Portland, OR.

Whether you are a beginner or an intermediate/expert crocheter…extrovert or introvert…you will find the conference to be a great experience.

CLASSES ARE VARIED in experience levels and interests…from learning new crochet techniques (too many classes to mention)…to Simplifying Symbol Crochet or Math for Crocheters…from Customizing your Crochet or Beading Three Ways…to Drop Spindle or Home Dyeing Safe and Simple. For a quick class listing, which includes the experience level, visit: https://www.crochet.org/page/CL18ClassList

When not in classes, why not check out the MARKETPLACE? For attendees, there is a preview on Thursday evening so you can check it out before it opens to the public. The Marketplace is open to everyone Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm/5 pm. Plenty of time to get in some shopping between visiting with friends, attending classes, and checking out the area.

DESIGN COMPETITION is open to all CGOA Members. Do you have a project you designed that you would like to enter? This year there are 6 categories…Fashion, Accessories, Home Décor & Afghans, Artistic Expression, and Thread Crochet. The deadline is fast approaching…June 30, so don’t delay if you would like to enter: https://www.crochet.org/general/custom.asp?page=DesignCompetition

There is so much more I could talk about regarding this years’ conference, however, why not check out the complete schedule of events at: https://www.crochet.org/page/CL18Schedule

One last item to mention…beautiful PORTLAND, OR that sits on the Columbia and Willamette rivers with the backdrop of the amazing Mount Hood.  There are so many sites and possibilities...from Powell's City of Books to Lan Su Chinese Garden, from the Oregon Zoo to Voodoo Doughnut, and much more. https://www.travelportland.com/things-to-do/activities-attractions/

See you in Portland, OR

2017 Design Competition Winners

The 2017 CGOA has come to an end. The design competition had some amazing entries that were showcased throughout the weekend. Check out the amazing entries below.

The first slide show has all the photos as well as who designed each project.
The second video is a slide show of the winning entries.

Below is the slideshow of winners!


 


Start thinking now about what you will enter for next year!

Chain Link 2017 Fashion Show

The 2017 CGOA Chain Link conference is over and once again it ended with the Banquet and Fashion Show which was sponsored by Leisure Arts. The Fashion Show is a chance for all our CGOA members to show off what they have made. Some items are one-of-a-kind pieces made for the show, others are designs that have patterns available and some are designs that will be coming out in the coming year.

There has been a request for a list of the garments from the show and where the patterns can be found. Where known, the name of the designer and pattern availability is listed with the name of the Fashion Show garment below.

Reflective Pantsuit – Gina Gallina   Modeled by Gina

Pineapple Miranda Pantsuit – Gina Gallina   Modeled by Sparky

Blues Vest – Kathryn White   Modeled by Kathryn

Nan’s Shrug – Laurinda Redding  Modeled by Sharon

Sargassum Shawl – Pia Thadani  Modeled by Elisa

Celtic Filet Shawl – Susan Lowman   Modeled by Amy

Stormy Weather Vest – Cathy Robbins   Modeled by Nancy

Summer Seaside Shawl from “Wraps for All Seasons” – Andee Graves   Modeled by Creusa

Oswego Sunset Shawl – Shari White   Modeled by Shari

Adalene Cabled Vest – Jennifer Pionk   Modeled by Heather

Granny Square Shawl – Michele Maks   Modeled by Regina

Beaded Gray Shawl – Susan Lutz Kenyon  Modeled by Tammy

Beachside Wrap – Laurinda Reddig   Modeled by Lauren

California Wildflowers – Barbara Hynes  Modeled by Barbara

Krpa Silk Dress – Cathy Robbins  Modeled by Danielle

80’s Diva – Urmie  Modeled by Rani

Cozy Quilted Vest & Scarf – Margaret Hubert & Nancy Smith  Modeled by Nancy

Cascading Lace Cardigan – Juliette Bezold  Modeled by Kathryn

Reina Cardigan – Jennifer Pionk  Modeled by Heather

Bling It On! Poncho – Shari White   Modeled by Shari

Midnight Sparkle – Joan Davis (modified from a Jenny King pattern)  Modeled by Regina

Tunisian Crop Top – Lily Chin  Modeled by Sharon

Greek Holiday – Jenny King  Modeled by Amy

Scoop Neck Top from “Fringe Benefits”  – Melissa Leapman   Modeled by Danielle

Cherry Schwimm Vest from Leisure Arts publication “The Long & Short of It”   Modeled by Elisa

Winterfall Ruanna from “Wraps for All Seasons”  – Andee Graves   Modeled by Lauren

Rainbow Circle Vest from Red Heart.com – Tammy Hildebrand   Modeled by Tammy

Jewelled Sweater Coat  - Creusa Gillmore  Modeled by Creusa

70’s Princess – Urmie   Modeled by Rani

by Andee Graves
Mamas 2 Hands

2017 CGOA Chain Link Conference

JOIN US IN CHICAGO!

Registration for the 2017 CGOA Chain Link Conference is now open! 

Visit the CGOA website for all information on the conference - including event details, a list of available classes, weekend schedule, directions, and more. 




Brought to you by blogger contributor:
Kristine Mullen
Ambassador Crochet

Importance of Crocheting Networks

There is one simple trick that can greatly improve your crochet and your crochet experience, networking.

Networking can greatly help in a professional manner for those interested in following a career in crochet, but in its simplest form it can help you improve your crochet skills. Sharing our passion with ours is an opportunity to learn and grow, finding other crocheters allows you to gain new insights to methods and approaches that you have not thought of before. 

Finding networking opportunities vary dependent upon where you live, you can seek out local crochet guilds (from CGOA), or even local get-togethers(from Ravely), or even gatherings at local coffee shops, community or senior centers, libraries, and local yarn shops. Even finding a few “crochet friends” can improve your skills and bring new joy to your work. 

If you are a crochet professional or aspire to be, then networking with follow professionals can greatly assist you in your profession. You can never be a expert at all the skills you need to make your business grow, but by networking you can find the people and the tools that can help you. 

For 2014 there is one event in  the United States that can aide both professionals and non-professionals in obtaining networking opportunities, the CGOA 20thAnniversary Chain Link at the Knit & Crochet Show, in Manchester, NH July23-27. There are opportunities for all to get together and make the connections that can last a life time. Pre-Registration ends June 30, so if you haven’t already, make your plans to attend, it could just change your life (This I speak to as a personal experience).

Love to Crochet Your Own Originals? Enter the CGOA Contest!

Love to Crochet Your Own Originals?  Enter the CGOA Design Contest!

If you are a crocheter who often does your own original wonderful creations, here are a few reasons you should enter the CGOA Design Competition.

·         It is fun to see your creation exhibited with other outstanding crochet designs.

·         It will give you a reason to really stretch yourself and create something that will give joy to yourself and others.

·         It may lead to crochet fame and give you credibility with magazine editors, book publishers and yarn companies (if you’d like to become a designer in the industry). I know as Design Manager at Red Heart I found new designers this way.

·         And last (but not least), there are monetary prizes in each of the 5 categories: Fashion, Accessories, Home Décor & Afghans and Thread Crochet. And this year there is a special category, the CGOA 20th Anniversary Award, that will be given to the entry that best celebrates and exemplifies the spirit of CGOA in 2014.

Last year I was one of the judges lucky enough to see the amazing designs up close and personal. Boy was I wowed! The Design Competition grows each year as CGOA grows. It is the most exciting part of the conference (other than seeing crochet friends and meeting new enthusiastic crochet people and taking classes and shopping the market and so on and so on). So I encourage you to enter the contest and let the world see what you can create!

You'll need to become a member of CGOA (if you are not already) and check out the competition rules that will be on the CGOA site soon (or maybe they are being added as I upload this).

Here are a few photos of memorable winners from 2013:

Mille Fleurs Dress by Dot Drake (Grand Prize)

Granny’s Tree of Love by Deborah Bagley (Afghans and Home Décor Honorable Mention)

Owl Sit with Your Yarns by Deborah Bagley (Artistic Expression 3rd prize)

A big thumbs up to Amy and Donna for hosting the Crochetville Blog Tour! As a new member of the CGOA board, I am very pleased to be a part of this community. We are supporting the charity, Halos of Hope. Please see their site for how you can help. halosofhope.org