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Chain Link
Pu bl i s h e d b y t h e C ro chet Gui l d o f America • Volu me 17 Nu mber 2 • Jan . 2008
President’s Letter
Ahhhhh, a New Year
begins . . . time to reflect
on the past and make
plans for the future. So it
is with CGOA. In 1994
when Gwen Blakley
Kinsler formed CGOA,
we had 95 members
and 0 chapters.Today
we have almost 3,000
members and 61 chapters.
Attendance at our
annual conference continues to grow. Increased
membership benefits continue to be a major
focus for your Board. This year we’ve added
discounts at Annie’s Attic, Interweave Crochet,
TheLeisureBoutique.com, Mary Maxim, ShopCaron.
com, and LionBrand.com, with new opportunities
for discounts arriving every day. We recently
introduced a new Design Contest, open to CGOA
members only, with cash prizes totaling over
$3,000. We hope that 2008 will see the addition
of even more new and exciting reasons to be a
member of CGOA.
For more information on the benefits of
your membership, visit www.crochet.org/faq.
html#benefits
Wishing you a happy and prosperous New Year!
Rita Weiss
President
P.S. And, while you’re thinking about the benefits
of membership, why not encourage your crochet
friends to become members of CGOA. Give
another crocheter the gift of membership.That
would be a great way to celebrate March, which is
National Crochet Month.
March is National Crochet Month
Ways to celebrate:
Crochet something for charity.
CGOA’s website lists 78 different charities to choose
from. Whether it’s hats, blankets, mittens, or squares,
you can make a difference. To see the list, visit www.
crochet.org/cgi-bin/charitybyname.pl
Teach someone to crochet.
What better way to share your love of crochet! Have
you thought about teaching a child to crochet but
didn’t know where to start? CGOA’s website has
some wonderful materials designed by the Craft Yarn
Council of America to help you. Visit
www.crochet.org/teach/toc.html
You can also find lessons for teaching both left and
right handed persons to crochet at
www.crochet.org/lessons/lessonl/lessonl.html and
www.crochet.org/lessons/lessonr/lessonr.html
If you’re really serious about learning to teach others
to crochet, why not consider the Craft Yarn Council of
America’s Certified Instructors Program. This
strengthens your crochet techniques, tutors you
in the mechanics of teaching, and provides helpful
information on how to set up and promote classes. And
you learn from leading knitting and crochet teachers!
Visit their site www.craftyarncouncil.com/teach.html
Join or start a Chapter
Local chapters provide an opportunity for crocheters
to get together with others in their area who share
their love of crochet. Chapter meetings are an
opportunity for showing works in progress, for sharing
information about local yarn and supply sources, for
workshops devoted to the mastery of new techniques.
For more information visit
www.crochet.org/chapter.html
Prepare an Exhibit
Form a group of fellow crocheters and plan an exhibit
of crochet items at your local library.
continued on page 2
Inside...
Mini Member
Interview
p. 2
Hooked on History
p. 3
Executive
Director’s
Message
p. 4
Yarn Review
p. 5
Book Review
p. 6
Book Reviews
Moderator’s
Message
p. 7
Free Pattern Crochet Logo by
Bendy Carter
p. 8
Crochet Guild
of America
2007
Officers &
Directors
President
Rita Weiss
Vice President
Nancy Brown
Secretary
Vashti Braha
Treasurer
Treva McCain
Directors
Carol Alexander
Ed Hamrick
Marty Miller
continued from page 1
Learn a new stitch or technique
Try something new! Participate in our Message Board
“Stitch of the Week”.
Find great information on stitches and techniques at
http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa052398.
htm and http://members.aol.com/crochetwithdee/
typesof.html
Consider taking one of CGOA’s correspondence
courses, designed to teach a specific technique
or project. Courses are written by teachers with a
wide variety of interests and skills and are similar
to conference courses in scope. Coursework that is
completed by the course deadline (about 3 months for
short courses) receives a critique from the teacher and
a certificate of completion.
• Basic Overlay Crochet
• Increasing and Decreasing Tote
• Tapestry Crochet Bag
• Victorian Crocheted Button/Brooch
• Masters Programs: Masters in Basic Stitches &
Masters in Thread
For more information visit www.crochet.org/courses/
index.html
Wear your crochet creations!
What better way is there to celebrate than by wearing
your crochet creations in public! You’re sure to get
many Oooh’s and Ahhh’s from admirers, and perhaps
many requests to teach others.
Mini Member Interviews
What is your real name (First and Last)?
Janice Olsen
What state do you live in and is this where you grew up?
I have lived in Georgia for the past 24 years. I grew up
in Indiana.
Have the places your have lived, influenced your crochet?
I don’t believe any of the places I’ve lived have
influenced me in one way or another except the
beautiful fall colors in New England were I lived in
Stamford, CT.
What is the name of your site(blog, group)and what can
we read about crochet or CGOA there?
I don’t have a blog nor do I belong to a crochet group. I
can’t find a CGOA group in this area except in
Peachtree City were it would take me at least an hour
and 15 minutes to just get there.
Do you crochet, and if so, what are you currently working on?
Yes, I crochet. I’m working on a couple of baby blankets,
a sweater for my daughter, and a sweater for my 3 year
old grandson, and also a 7 month old grandson. I’m also
working on bandages for leprosy patients, and small
baby hats for newborn babies in Africa.
Have you created a crochet item-- that you hope the family
will pass down through the generations?
Yes, I’ve made quite a few very wonderful items for
some of my sisters, nieces, nephews, and their children,
plus my grandsons.
Can you name drop for us?
No.
Is your name out there, attached to crochet, and if so,
where do we look?
I’m not known at all in the crochet world, but my
extended family appreciates all the items I make for
them.
What do you think will be the “in” thing in crochet, in the
next few months?
I think crochet has absolutely grown by leaps and
bounds in the past few years. Wonderful crochet people
are publishing incredible patterns that equal any
knitted piece. I believe that beautiful, flowing,
crocheted sweaters are truly gaining in the crochet
world, and competing with the knitters who claim;
crocheters can’t make it by making wonderful
sweaters.The patterns for sweaters are really
incredible and they will be the forerunners in the
crochet world without question.
Have you seen a crochet item (not your own work)- in the
last few months, that made an impression on you?
Yes, some beautiful work in a very special yarn shop in
Asheville, NC.
Do you have a crochet item, that you inherited from
another family member?
Yes, a baby blanket made for my daughter 33 years ago,
a gift from her great-grandmother.
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Chain Link
www.crochet.org
Hooked on History - Fast Forward to the Future
Number Three in a Series, by Gwen Blakley Kinlser
Gwen Blakley Kinsler, Founder of CGOA, has served our organization in many capacities. She served as President
1994-95; 1997; 2002-2003; Host Chapter, Local Chairperson for Chain Links 1994, 1997, 2003; Tenth Anniversary
Celebration Committee Chair 2002-03; Chair of Past Presidents’ Nominating Committee, current member; Curator,
“Chain Reaction,” Juried Crochet Art Exhibition presented by the Textile Arts Centre of Chicago and CGOA, 2000; CoChairperson, “Rhythm of Crochet,” juried, an invitational traveling exhibition of contemporary crochet to celebrate
the 10th Anniversary of CGOA. Gwen recently consented to becoming CGOA’s official Historian.
Riding on the tails of the successful gathering of passionate crocheters, Chain Link ’94, the momentum for our first year as an
official organization began to take on momentum. More and more volunteers were bringing their excitement and ideas to the
table and industry representatives were spreading the word about what CGOA represented.
Dateline-February 1995: In an article about pattern writing, Joan Glass lauds a designer who she considers her mentor
because of her excellent pattern writing skills. The designer she refers to is none other than Rita Weiss, our current CGOA
President!
Basking in the success of our first conference, the second one, “The Graceful Hand Guides the Hook,” is well underway
and sounding like it will outdo the success of the first conference. We are already talking about benefits to our members
who choose to join the organization and members-only can attend the annual business meeting of CGOA. Fast Forward to
the Future: YOUR Board of Directors wants to hear what you would like as benefits of membership. Rita has a special email
address just to hear from YOU: rweiss@gmail.com
Dateline-May 1995: For the first time, CGOA offered a free pattern to members in the newsletter, a cloche hat designed
by Nancy Brown. Fast Forward to the Future: From a donation of a sock pattern from Jackie Young, the CGOA pattern line
has come full circle. Our insistence that crocheters wanted more than just afghan patterns led from many stunning designs
on display at trade and consumer shows to distribution and sales by national wholesaler, Bryson Distributing. Fast Forward
to the Future: CGOA pioneered the trend to get fashion crochet onto the scene. In partnership with Martingale & Company,
the best of the best CGOA member-designers contributed to the book, Today’s Crochet in 2003. At long last, many other
publishers and yarn companies woke up and smelled the crochet hook. Today, fashion crochet is the norm and it is
becoming almost impossible to keep up with the barrage of new crochet books and patterns being published, but we still
have lots of fun trying! CGOA had influence and the industry has now taken over to meet the needs of crocheters, old and
new. Patterns are still available on the CGOA website as supplies last, and Jackie’s sock pattern is still a best seller. Thanks
to the many volunteers on the Pattern Line committee and the talented designers who showed the industry the way!
Michele Prieto became the first librarian for the fledgling CGOA library. It started humbly from CGOA member donations.
Fast Forward to the Future: Although a national treasure, our library has become huge and unwieldy over the years. Please
show your support of the commitment our Board has given to “saving the library” and check it out and check out books
once it is settled in the hands of the Cajun Crocheters Chapter in Lafayette, LA who graciously have taken on the task of
managing our library. Look for new details in January 2008.
Dateline-August 1995: Did you know that “Garfield” cartoonist, Jim Davis, references crochet? Due to his generosity (or
maybe because we both graduated from Ball State University, Muncie, IN), we got permission to reprint them in the May
and August 1995 issues of Chain Link!
A Chain Link article in 1995 reported that our conference was a “resounding success” as attendance more than doubled
from last year’s event. Notable crocheters were in attendance: Annie Potter of Annie’s Attic, Sylvia Cosh and James Walters,
as well as Pauline Turner from England, and the editors from Crochet Fantasy, Quick and Easy Crochet and Old Time
Crochet Magazines. The Craft Yarn Council provided a fabulous free workshop to all in attendance. Fast Forward to
the Future: Throughout the years the support for CGOA from the yarn industry has continued to grow and this says, “When
you think crochet, think CGOA!” Chain Link ’07 included programs sponsored by Tahki Stacy Charles, Coats & Clark, Caron
International, Clover, the Craft Yarn Council of America and the British Hand Knitting Confederation. Unfortunately, Sylvia
Cosh lost her battle with cancer in 2000. She is dearly missed but her memory lives on.
Shortly after the inaugural Chain Link Conference in August 1994, Josie Rafferty of New York City proposed a
commemorative afghan project. Attendees were asked to submit squares representing classes they took at the first
conference and the resulting afghan, put together by Northern IL Chapter (NIC), was used for years to promote the guild
and the beauty and variations of crochet. Photos of the afghan were turned into note cards and sold to our members as
another marketing tool. Fast Forward to the Future: Thank you, Josie! Your idea educated many about CGOA and about
crochet and the funds from the sale of the note cards helped out a lot in our early days! Josie’s idea was a great one and the
participants as well as the inspiring teachers pulled out all stops on the creativity train. Today, I believe our organization
needs a shot in the arm to restore this kind of passion in our members and the willingness to come up with creative ideas
and to see them through. Communal creativity makes enthusiasm flourish and excites our members about their
commitment to CGOA!
The topic, benefits of membership, has been an evolving issue throughout the years and it’s been tough to come up with
enough to convince crocheters they are getting their “money’s worth”. At first, we had only a newsletter; the magazine came
along years later. Intangible benefits are the hardest to explain, but members were very expressive when they wrote letters
to the editor: “I am delighted to tell you I am paying my membership dues with part of the proceeds from selling my first
crochet design. I probably wouldn’t have attempted it without the encouragement for new designs printed in the first postconference newsletter.” Linda Taylor, MA “It’s time there was an organization to raise the art of crochet from utilitarian
usage to elegance! I admire your courage, perseverance and success!” Lucille LaFlamme, OR. “I am very interested in the
Membership
information
Crochet Guild of
America is a
not-for-profit,
member
organization.
National
membership
includes a
subscription
to Crochet!
magazine with a
Chain Link insert.
Annual dues
are $35 (U.S.),
$42 (Canada &
Mexico), $50 (all
other international
addresses) and
$100 (corporate).
Dues may be paid
by check or
money order
in U.S. funds
only, payable to
Crochet Guild of
America. Mailing
address: CGOA,
1100-H Brandywine
Blvd, Zanesville,
OH 43701-7303.
Phone: (740)
452-4541. E-mail:
CGOA@CGOA.com.
Address corrections: Send your
mailing label
with corrections
clearly marked
to the address
above. Copyright
information: All
items submitted to
Chain Link become
the property of
CGOA. Chain Link
is copyrighted by
the Crochet Guild
of America. All
rights reserved
except where
other copyright
notice is given.
Please write for
permission to
reprint articles.
continued on page 4
Chain Link
3◆
Looking for a
CGOA chapter
in your area?
Check out
the complete
chapter listing
at www.crochet.
org/chapter.html
continued from page 3
Guild. I am a crochet designer, widely published in crochet and crafts magazines, but extremely frustrated at the lack of any forum for intricate, innovative work.” Melody
MacDuffee, AL. Fast Forward to the Future: Melody is now a popular CGOA teacher and frequent exhibitor in our juried exhibits.
My comments then in an article on benefits are still valid today: “Your Board of the CGOA wants you to get your money’s worth. We are a new organization, one
year old, that is growing and developing ideas on what the benefits are now and what they can evolve to be. With your ideas and help, we can be all you want us to
be. Feel free to contact any board member with suggestions any time.”
Dateline-November 1995: For the first time CGOA is on-line and can be reached by email. Fast Forward to the Future: Pam Oddi developed our award-winning website
in 1996 and volunteered as Webmaster for ten years. Now that’s forward thinking and dedication to CGOA, Pam! As active members, we would like to hear from you: What
do you think about our website today? Is it beneficial to you? Do you have ideas or expertise? Send your comments to the Board of Directors.
Chapters are starting to pop up around the country. Reports from five were included in this issue. Fast Forward to the Future: Our chapters currently number over sixty.
Wouldn’t it be great to be able to say that we have at least four in each state? At the Chain Link Conference this past July in Manchester, NH, we had a rousing meeting of
chapters. Excitement and pride filled the room as each chapter shared their unique and exciting activities. Go on-line to the CGOA website and find out how easy it is to
start a chapter in your neighborhood! You are missing out if you haven’t felt the camaraderie that comes with meeting monthly with friendly crocheters!
Executive Director’s Message
By Penny Sitler
Dear CGOA Members,
I am so excited for all of you - you have so much
to look forward to in 2008! There are fabulous
new member benefits in place, including discounts
from AnniesAttic.com, Interweave Crochet,
TheLeisureBoutique.com, Mary Maxim, Inc. and
ShopCaron.com. Your CGOA Board of Directors
has announced a brand new Design Contest open
only to CGOA members, complete with generous
prizes sponsored by Red Heart® Yarns from Coats
and Clark®. Your annual Chain Link Conference
will return to Manchester, New Hampshire, site of
the record-breaking 2007 conference. In the fall,
the CGOA Regional Conference will move to an
exciting new location – Portland, Oregon. I hope
you’ve been saving up your vacation days so you can
attend one or both conferences, where you can take
great classes from world-class instructors, load up on
tremendous crochet supplies and rub elbows with
other avid crocheters.
For information on all of these great benefits of
being a CGOA member, go to our Web site, www.
Crochet.org. If your membership is about to expire,
be sure to renew so you don’t miss out on a minute
of all that is offered to you. Get all of your crochet
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Chain Link
friends to join now, so they can take advantage of
these incredible opportunities. What crocheter
wouldn’t want to be a part of the one and only
Crochet Guild of America? Spread the word – CGOA
is the place to belong!
Happy crocheting,
Penny Sitler
Great Sites for Free Patterns!
www.crochetpatterncentral.com
http://freecrochetpatterns.lionbrand.com
www.crochetnmore.com
http://crochet.about.com
www.freepatterns.com
CGOA Yarn Review/Evaluation
Name and Residing State (Identification) of contributing CGOA member - Sarah Cukrowicz, Indiana
Date of review/evaluation - 8/2/07
Basic Yarn information:
1 - Name of Yarn being reviewed/evaluated? Alchemy Yarns of Transformation, Bamboo
2 - Fiber content and weight? Math suggests it might be considered sport weight, appearance suggests fingering, company website doesn’t specifically state.
3 - How many ply? multi-ply, possibly 8
4 - W.P.I. or Wraps per inch? unknown
5 - What does this yarn retail for? $21-27/hank
6 - Where did you purchase it? The Shuttle Shop- Warsaw, IN
7 - Where can it be purchased? Local yarn stores, possibly internet
The new email
address for
Chain Link is
newsletter@
crochet.org.
Please submit
your articles
using the new
email address.
Project Specifics1 - What project worked successfully using this yarn? Skinny scarf
2 - Can you do several different kinds of stitches with it, or do you have to keep it simple to see the stitches?
Excellent stitch definition! The stitches stayed very crisp and clear.
3 - What Hook size did you use? Bates size D
4 - Drape of the finished fabric? Excellent drape, it has a beautiful movement, but is still substantial. Is very soft and smooth.
5 - What projects would you say this yarn is more suited for? Because of its cost, I would say it’s only suited for skinny scarves (able to complete a
project with only one hank.) On the other hand, I think it would make a stunning special occasion tank, shell, or wrap.
Yarn characteristics:
1 - Ease of working with? Very easy to work with, but if your tension is too tight the yarn might split a little. (It only happened once to me)
2 - Does it produce airborne lint while working with it? Not at all
3 - Does it pill? Does it show wear even while working with it? No pilling, doesn’t show wear.
4 - Any stretch? Some stretching, both vertically and horizontally, but that may be due to the stitch pattern I used.
5 - Similar or identical to another yarn? Plymouth Royal bamboo is a little thicker, and the colors aren’t as vibrant, but general appearance and hand
are comparable. Paton’s Grace, Lion Microfiber, or Symphony Mercerized Cotton are loosely comparable, but they lack the sheen and fluid hand. Maybe
Red Heart Lustersheen? I’ve never worked with Lustersheen before, so I’m not positive.
6 - How does it reflect light? (matte, sparkly, lustrous, chalky)? Lustrous- there’s a subtle sheen to it, that is definitely noticeable, but unobtrusive. Maybe
it’s pride in how my scarf worked up, but it seems to have a bit of an inner glow to it.
7 - Does the yarn look good crocheted? Absolutely! I think it looks incredible.
Care of yarn:
1 - How is it cleaned? Hand wash only, lay flat to dry.
2 - How does the fabric look after it’s been cleaned? Haven’t washed it yet, but I expect it to do well.
3 - Does it hold its shape and size? So far, yes, but haven’t washed it.
Summary/ Recommendations
1 - Would you purchase again? Yes, as a special gift or a cheer me up.
2 - Would you keep an item crocheted with this yarn for yourself? Absolutely! This was supposed to be a gift for someone else, but I can’t part with
it. It’s too pretty!
Other: This was a joy to work with! It was an excellent quality yarn, with no knots, kinks, or other major or minor annoyances.
The final scarf, done in DC and CH1 spaces measured just over 4 ft in length, and is 3 inches wide. I’ll post a picture eventually.
The Goals of CGOA
To promote the art and skill of crochet
To preserve historical projects
To promote future crochet design and ideas
To strive towards excellence in all facets of crochet
Chain Link
5◆
Chain Link is
now online!
You can find
back issues
of Chain Link
by going to:
www.crochet.
org/memonly/nls.
html
Chapter News
By Gwen Blakley Kinsler
Northern IL Chapter
Deeply concerned about the threats of global warming
and plastic consumption that are threatening the
world’s coral reef population, Chicagoans have picked
up their hooks to do something about it by contributing
beyond compare that fills two large rooms. Recently,
members from the chapter went together to see the
exhibit. Here are some of their comments: “it was really
extraordinary! It was incredibly beautiful and extremely
interesting. The different patterns, sizes, and shapes
were phenomenal. And the colors were fabulous. The
arrangement and grouping of all of the different crochet
was just amazing. We were able to find some of our
pieces in the exhibit. And we saw the names of several
Chapter members on the display board of “contributing
artists.” The people from The Institute For Figuring
and The Jane Addams Hull-House Museum really did a
terrific job of putting all this together. If you have the
opportunity to see the Chicago Coral Reef, I HIGHLY
recommend it! You will really enjoy it and appreciate
the artistic beauty and incredible workmanship. I feel
so proud that our Chapter is a part of this exhibit. It is
wonderful that crochet is being used to bring awareness
to the global environment.”
to the hyperbolic crochet coral reef. The Chicago
Crochet Reef Project, a community crochet project
with environmentalist and scientific implications, was
conceived by the Institute for Figuring. Several members
of our chapter contributed their talents and created their
own “reefs” that were added to the overall exhibit.
For details on the exhibit with photos, see the article
written by chapter member, Gwen Blakley Kinsler in the
latest issue of Crochet Insider: www.crochetinsider.com
On exhibit through December 16, 2007 at the
Chicago Cultural Center as a part of the Chicago
Humanities Festival, it is an array of color and texture
Chapter News
Celebrate National Crochet Month
Those Yarn Crocheters, Harrisburg Chapter of CGOA
will be putting together a display at the East Shore
Library for National Crochet month.
Jane Rimmer Harrisburg/Hershey,PA
CGOA Member/Contract crocheter/pattern tester
http://janeshookedoncrochet.blogspot.com/
Welcome
New Chapters!
One Hook Hookers - Princeton, NJ
◆6
Nebraska Knit & Crochet Guild - Blair, NE
A Winner!
This brings our total number of Chapters to 61! To learn
more about starting a Chapter, or to find a Chapter near
you, visit www.crochet.org/chapter.html.
Rose Baker, a member of Carolinas Chain Gang Chapter
of CGOA, holds her “Bobbles and Lace” afghan which
one second prize in the South Carolina State Fair!
Chain Link
Book Review
Report by Lyn Robinson
Loop-d-Loop Crochet
By Teva Durham, Published by Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2007
144 pages, ISBN-13: 978-1584795803
It seems that crocheters like to dream about knitters who put down their
needles and pick up a hook and become enthralled with the beautiful art that is
crochet. Well, crocheters, your dream has become a reality in Teva Durham’s
Loop-d-Loop Crochet. As a dedicated knitter, Durham did not pay crochet much
mind until one of her grandmother’s intricately worked crochet pieces caught
her eye. As she took hook to yarn, Durham discovered what all of us dedicated
crocheters already know – yes, crochet is different from knitting. It possesses
unique and wonderful possibilities which in no way make it a ‘lesser’ craft, but
one deserving of admiration and even awe.
Loop-d-Loop Crochet contains 25 patterns for skirts, tops, jackets, accessories,
and even a hammock. Sizes range from small through x-large, with a few patterns
accommodating plus sized women, and a couple of patterns for children. Each
pattern is accompanied by schematics, stitch symbol charts, and clear, precise
instructions. The designs are well photographed from several angles to give a
clear picture how the finished garment fits and drapes.
Crocheters who look to purchase books primarily for the patterns may – or
may not – find Durham’s patterns to their liking. In her words, her patterns are
‘edgy,’ ‘bohemian,’ ‘outside the box’. The designs are unique, to be sure, and at
first glance, I was unsure if there were any that would suit my own frame and
style. Yet to dismiss the book because the patterns may not be ones to which the
crocheter is instantly drawn would be to miss the wonderful gems of crochet
Book Review
Report by Lyn Robinson
wisdom which Durham offers. Durham
divides her patterns according to stitch type –
basic stitches (sc, hdc, etc), filet, lace, spikes
and clusters and Irish and ‘freeformish’
crochet. In each section, she offers snippets
of interesting crochet history along with an
explanation of the type of fabric that each
stitch category creates and how that fabric
influences garment design, construction, and
shaping. In addition, Durham shares how
her crochet exploration (aka swatching) led
her to marrying certain yarns with suitable
stitches so that both stitch and yarn are shown to their best advantage in the
overall design.
The more I delved into this book, the more intrigued I became with the
patterns. The more I study them and play with them, the more I learn. This is
a book that must have a home on my bookshelf because it is a window open
wide into the creative imagination which all fiber artists possess. My only
disappointment – there is no picture of grandmother’s elaborate crocheted work
so that we could all share in Durham’s admiration and awe.
Is your local
CGOA chapter
doing something
special? We
would love to
highlight it in the
next newsletter!
See details on
page 5.
Mad About Scraps
Edited By Brenda Stratton, Publisher: DRG/Annie’s Attic , 2007
304 pages, ASIN: B000V6673W
As I sit down to write, it is just a few days before Thanksgiving, and I am
searching for those quick to make projects that can fill my ‘last minute gift basket’
– small gifts for those people I want to remember with a token of my appreciation.
As I ponder what to make, I pull out a book sent to me for review and in it find
several perfect projects.
Mad About Scraps is a compilation of 125 gifts, accessories, toys, apparel,
afghans, home dec, pet items, and holiday patterns specifically designed to use up
the stash of scraps that all crocheters seem to collect. Each pattern uses the CYCA
classifications for skill level, so crocheters of all abilities can find something to
suit them. Standard yarn weights are also given, making it easy for crocheters to
search amongst their own stash for an appropriate yarn for the project. Crocheters
who frequent the internet for patterns might recognize some patterns in this
collection as those which have been offered
for a limited time on the web. However,
having the patterns (some updated) put
together in a hardcover book provides ready
access for those who, like me, tend to save
patterns into random folders on a rather
disorganized hard drive. The spiral binding
allows me to hold the book open neatly on my
lap while working.
I always enjoy the clever ways with which
crocheters combine frugality with creativity,
and this book shows off talent well.
Moderator’s Message
As “2007” draws to a close, we are getting
the files on the CGOA Membership
Online Message Board ready for “2008.”
One of the enjoyed benefits of the online
message board has been our Stitch of
the Week.
The Stitch of the Week started 7/16,
and our volunteers have provided the
group with a fun and educational crochet
experience through their presentations.
Moderator Lyn Robinson has worked with
each volunteer to provide the group with treasured downloadable versions of
their Stitch of the Week, so each member would have the option of creating their
own designer book.
Following is the list of Volunteers, their Stitch of the Week and the date they
presented their Stitch of the Week to the group1. Sandy Scofield -single crochet, front post single crochet edge. 7/16/07
2. Carole Sullivan -chain, half double crochet, split single crochet... 7/23/07
3. Lyn Robinson -Crossed Double Crochet 7/30/07
4. Carole Fitzgerald -Spider stitch 8/6/07
5. Dee Stanziano (aka CrochetWithDee) -The Tulip Stitch! :) 8/13/07
6. Sue McCreary -Waffle Stitch 8/20/07
7. Beata Ball (I can volunteer as often as needed) -the ever popular shell 8/27/07
8. Jane Rimmer -seed stitch 9/3/07
9. Yvonne Finne -Brushstroke Stitch 9/10/07
10. Barbara (Hillery) Van Elsen -Wave Stitch 11/17/07
11. Kim Kotary -Diagonal Box Stitch 9/24/07
12. Beata Ball -Popcorn Stitch 10/1/07
13. Bendy Carter -Slip Stitch 10/8/07
14. Margaret Hubert -Bullion stitch 10/15/07
15. Carole Fitzgerald -Crown stitch 10/22/07
16. Jennifer Cirka -Herringbone Half Double Crochet 10/29/07
17. Carole Sullivan -Seed Stitch Variation 11/5/07
18. Elaine Bartlett -Cluster 11/12/07
19. Karen Drouin -Half Double Crochet Mesh Stitch 11/19/07
20. Dee Stanziano (aka CrochetWithDee) -Surprise! It’s Crocheted! 11/26/07
21. Pat Lubelczyk -Up and down stitch 12/3/07
If you are already on board -- be sure to volunteer so that we can enjoy your
Stitch of the Week.
If you have not joined the online CGOA Membership Board, sign on today!
Sincerely,
Sandy “Sandyfroglegs” Scofield
CGOA Message Board Moderator
Chain Link
7◆
Crochet your own CGOA Logo!
Printed with permission
of Bendy Carter
I wanted something crocheted that I could wear to the CGOA show. Being a July show and my being
a hot natured person, I didn’t want to wear crocheted sweaters. Clothing is what I generally design.
I knew I would have a name tag and I would also need someplace to carry my admission tickets.
So I crocheted the little badge holder purse. It held my name tag and admission tickets in the front
clear pocket, my business cards in the smaller back clear pocket and had a zippered section that I
kept my money and room key in.
I guess I should tell you the most interesting or funniest thing.
When I was wearing my CGOA badge holder, people who were collecting tickets thought I looked
official. They never took my tickets to go into the market or any place else :)
They would collect from the people in front of me, wave me through, then collect from the people
behind me.
It confused me at first, but then I realized it was the badge holder!
CGOA Logo - Designed by Bendy Carter
Size: Finished Oval, not counting surface chain stitch rings or crochet
hook, is 2” X 1.5”. Crochet hook is 2.75” long.
Coats, Aunt Lydia’s®, Classic Crochet, Article 154, 100% Mercerized
Cotton Size 10 thread, 350 & 400 yard balls:
Row 7: Ch 1 sc in each st across; turn – 2 sts.
Row 8 – 10: Rep Row 7; do not turn after last row.
Amount: Scrap Amounts of: No. 458 Purple, 495 Wood Violet, 421
Goldenrod & 001 White.
Row 11 RS: Rep Row 6.
Susan Bates Steel Hook: Size 6 [1.6 mm].
Row 13: Ch 1, sc dec
over next 2 sts; turn
– 1 st.
GAUGE: 13 sts = 1.5”.
OVAL:
Row 1: With Purple, ch 6, sc in back ridge of 2nd ch from hook and in
back ridge of each ch across; turn – 5 sts.
Row 12: Rep Row 7.
Row 14: Ch 1, work 2 sc
in st; turn – 2 sts.
Row 2: Ch 1, *[work 2 sc in next st] 2 times,* sc in next st, rep from *
to * 1 time; turn – 9 sts.
Row 15 – 18: Rep Rows
13 – 14 two times.
Row 3: Ch 1, *[work 2 sc in next st] 2 times,* sc in each of next 5 sts,
rep from * to * 1 time; turn – 13 sts.
Row 19: Rep Row 13.
Row 4 – 8: Ch 1, sc in each st across; turn.
Row 9: Ch 1, *[sc dec over next 2 sts] 2 times,* sc in each of next 5
sts, rep from * to * 1 time; turn – 9 sts.
To Form Hook:
Row 25 RS: Ch 1, sc, turn to work down side, sc in end of each of next
2 rows then ch 1. Fasten off.
Row 10: Ch 1, *[sc dec over next 2 sts] 2 times,* sc in next st, rep from
* to * 1 time; turn – 5 sts.
FINISHING: It will be necessary to look at a photo of the logo for
placement guide.
Edging Rnd: Ch 1, *sc in each of next 5 sts, turn to work across side,
work 11 sc evenly sp across side*, turn to work across bottom, rep
from * to * 1 time, join in beg st – 32 sts. Fasten off.
Using Goldenrod, work surface chain stitch oval ring on top of purple
oval. Place purple oval onto material that logo is to be attached to.
Using Goldenrod, work second surface chain stitch oval ring (the ring
that goes partly off the purple oval) on top of purple oval and material
which logo is being attached to.
Outer Edging Rnd: Attach Wood Violet, ch 1, *sc in each of next 3 sts,
work 2 sc in next st, rep from * around, join in beg st – 40 sts. Fasten
off.
CROCHET HOOK:
Row 1 WS: With Goldenrod, ch 2, work 2 sc in 2nd ch from hook;
turn – 2 sts.
Row 2 RS: Ch 1, work 2 sc in each st across; turn – 4 sts.
Row 3 WS: Ch 1, sc in each st across; turn.
Row 4 RS: Ch 1, [sc dec over next 2 sts] 2 times; do not turn – 2 sts.
Row 5 RS: Ch 1, working from left to right, reverse sc in front lp of
each st across then, working from right to left, sc in back lp of each st
across; do not turn – 4 sts.
◆8
Row 6 RS: Ch 1, working from left to right, reverse sc in front lp of
each st across then, working from right to left, sc in back lp of each st
across; turn.
Chain Link
Row 20 – 24: Ch 1, sc; turn – 1 st.
Place crochet hook across upper right corner of purple oval then sew
crochet hook to oval and to material which logo is being attached to.
Holding 2 strands of White together, surface chain stitch the letters
C G O A on top of purple oval according to chart.
Sew outer edge of oval to material which logo is being attached to.
ABBREVIATIONS: ch = chain; dec = decrease; lp(s) =
loop(s); rep = repeat; rnd(s) = round(s); RS = right side; sc
= single crochet; sp = space; st(s) = stitch(es); WS = wrong
side; * = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated; [] = work
directions given in brackets the number of times specified.