Hello everyone! Tara here—

Did you know that Crochet! Magazine is the official magazine of the Crochet Guild of America?

Britt Schmiesing and I just got back from the CGOA 2022 Chain Link Conference and it was absolutely incredible! This year, the conference was held in the Arts District of New Orleans, Louisiana.

There was so much to do and even more to see!

The Editorial Meet and Greet was probably my favorite event. It took place on Saturday from 9:30am-1:00pm and it gave me and Britt a chance to meet new designers and answer any and all questions they had about getting their designs published in Crochet World and Crochet! Magazine. We met such talented designers and got to hear some great proposals for future projects.

The classes were the stars of the conference, and it isn’t hard to see why with instructors Lily Chin, Melissa Leapman, Andee Graves, Bonnie Barker, Victoria Light, Jennifer Ryan, Joan Davis, Jessie Rayot, and Emily Reiter. From Celtic Knots, Fair Isle, and Circular Tunisian Tapestry crochet to bag finishings, crochet tips and tricks, crocheting hats that fit, and teaching tips, there was a class for everyone!

The skeins of yarn on the seats in the photo were up for grabs and one of many giveaways!

Friday night was dedicated to the Excellence in Crochet Awards. The Awards honored the crocheters that have completed the CGOA’s Masters program and Karen C.K. Ballard, who was the newest inductee of the Jean Leinhauser Crochet Hall of Fame. Karen is a writer, designer, and fiber artist who combines her love of textiles with her love of history and she has definitely earned her place in the Hall of Fame.

Check out what it takes to complete the Master’s program here!

Saturday night was all about the Banquet & Member Fashion Show, which Britt and I were lucky enough to be able to walk in. Britt modeled a new design of hers, a tunic that will be available on our website at the end of August, and Yvette Jiggetts modeled our new Proud as a Peacock Wrap, which will also be added to our website at the end of August.

I showed off Lena Skvagerson’s Moroccan Tile Crochet Afghan in the beautiful Casablanca Colorway (check out the kit club here)!

There were so many beautiful pieces in the fashion show—dresses, skirts, tops, sweaters, shawls, wraps, and hats! The show was hosted by the lovely ladies from Furls, who spoke a bit about each design and gave away hooks, yarn and subscriptions to the Crochet Foundry in-between each piece.

The Marketplace had everything a crocheter could need—there were notions at almost every table, Furls Hooks (and a coupon given with every conference goody bag for 20%), breathtaking hand-dyed yarn from 3 different vendors, beads, kits, completed shawls and scarves and even lotion to help sooth tender hands.

 

Are you a member of the CGOA?

– Tara Orchard, Editor of Crochet! Magazine

Become a member of the CGOA to hear about next year’s conference first!