Crochet Meet Planned For August

Fri., June 7, 1996

Pat Trexler And Nancy J. Thomas Universal Press Syndicate

Recently we received news of the third annual crochet conference called Chain Link that will be held Aug. 1-6 in Irvine, Calif. It’s sponsored by The Crochet Guild of America (CGOA).

Along with providing a host of learning opportunities, the conference offers crocheters a chance to meet others who share their love of the craft. If you can’t attend, write to the address given below for information about this growing organization and upcoming conferences - national and local.

The opening-day program will feature Rita Weiss from the American School of Needlework. She inspires attendees with highlights of her career in crochet. The Monsanto Co. will sponsor an evening program and buffet, when there will be a collection of squares for the Warm Up America! program and caps for Caps for Kids. The guild is very active in helping these charity endeavors.

Over the two days following there will be a full selection of three- and six-hour classes taught by more than 20 wellknown teachers. These classes are for crocheters with varied interests and skill levels.

For example, well-known designer Lily Chin will teach two six-hour classes. Lily is from New York City and has been involved in some aspect of the fashion industry since she was 13. She gives workshops, lectures and seminars on knitting and crochet by hand and machine throughout the country.

The first class Lily is teaching is called Designing Better Crocheted Fashion Garments. This class will analyze the elements that go into good garment design and how to achieve these elements in crochet. She also will teach a class on mosaic crochet, showing students how to work a special mosaic color-crochet technique.

The husband-and-wife team of Sylvia Cosh and James Walters from England will teach several classes encouraging a creative and imaginative personal approach to crochet. As well as being exceptional teachers, Cosh and Walters are known as authors who have written many acclaimed books on crochet.

Other classes include Celtic Knotwork Jewelry, Camel Crochet Basics, Combining Knitting and Crochet in Garments, Understanding Symbols and Professional Finishing Techniques.

Highlights of the convention include a Saturday night banquet and semi-informal fashion show. This will be a forum for crocheters to show off their designs. There will also be a juried exhibit and a People’s Choice Award. For those interested in the latest books, patterns and yarns, an expanded marketplace will be held.

The conference will be held at the Irvine Marriott Hotel. Upon request, the Guild will send you information about the conference, hotel, meals and travel to the conference. Write to: Crochet Guild of America, P.O. Box 8043, Rolling Meadows, IL 60008-8043; (847) 776-7941. =, Beautiful colors abound in a crocheted afghan that’s worked on the diagonal and finished off with a fringe. The afghan uses five colors of worsted-weight yarn and measures 45 inches wide by 60 inches long, making it a great way to use up those leftover balls of yarn.

To obtain directions for making the Diagonal Crochet Afghan, send your request for Leaflet No. 060296 with $2 and a long, stamped, self-addressed envelope to: The NeedleWorks, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 419148, Kansas City, MO 64141. Or you may order Kit No. 060296 by sending a check or money order for $34.95 to The NeedleWorks at the same address. Kit price includes shipping charges, full instructions and worsted-weight yarn in shades of pink, purple and gray.

For kit orders only, you may call 7 a.m.-2 p.m. weekdays to: (800) 873-9537.

If afghans are your passion, feed your frenzy by ordering a copy of Pat Trexler’s popular book “A Collection of Afghans.” It’s available for $2.95 plus $1 postage and handling by writing to The NeedleWorks, P.O. Box 419148, Kansas City, MO 64141.

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