Okay crocheters, I am going to make you so jealous when I tell you about my Saturday! First of all, to my friends in the United States, are you familiar with the Crochet Guild of America, or CGOA? Well, I’ve been a member for a few years now, and I’ve always wanted to attend the yearly conference. Unfortunately, it was always a plane ride away, and I couldn’t justify the time away from my family. This year, though, it was in Chicago, a mere hour and a half drive away, and I couldn’t justify not going. Looking back, I wish I would have gone more days, but I digress.
I took two classes on Saturday, my first, Crochet Tips and Tricks with author and designer Lily Chin. I learned so much in her class! I’m not going to copy and paste her pamphlet, because that would be disrespectful to Ms. Chin, but I will say this class is worth it, and I will steam iron all the items I have made with stiff acrylic 😉. Before class ended, I needed a photo.
Isn’t her dress fabulous? I couldn’t stop staring at the design, and it draped so beautifully. She said she used Lion Brand cotton bamboo.
Between classes I hit up the market, just look at all this beautiful yarn I scored!
These are sample packs that will make up my next free form projects.
I’m thinking this golden yellow would make a beautiful shawl. It has metallic thread running through it, just enough for a little shine.
This cotton blend may turn into a vest, or shirt, or… I need to think about it. Can you tell I am starting to think Fall, with all my color choices?
My second class was Your First Crochet Sweater, with Marty Miller. This was an interesting class too, and I’m hoping to show off some sweaters as the months get colder.
I’m going to take a minute to name drop. Not only were my classes taught by known crochet designers, but I also saw my free form guru, Myra Wood, Jenny King, the Australian designer, and Margaret Huber, the woman who wrote the stitch book that changed my crochet life. Before Margaret Huber’s book, I was just a double crocheter, not anymore!
Also, I finished my market bag, and brought it with me to the conference. It worked great carrying my tools and yarn. I’m glad I pushed ahead and completed it!
So, are you jealous? Were any of you at CGOA? It was really a great experience, and totally worth it! Now I got to figure out how I can get away for next year!
Happy Crocheting!
Sounds great , nothing like that near me 😦 it’s great when you met others who are into your craft.
Love love those yarns you picked up & yes that dress is fab, is it actually crocheted??
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Yes, the dress was crocheted, I couldn’t take my eyes off of it! I don’t have a crochet community near me, unless you count my blog friends 😊, and we got to stick together! It was nice to actually hang out with others as passionate as me!
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I get that !
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I’m so glad you finally went and had such a great time.
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Thanks, I am too!
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I am TOTALLY jealous!!! What a fun weekend:)!
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It was fun, I felt star struck (in a geeky way).
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I am jealous 😁 What a fun time! The yarns are gorgeous 😍 I see a lot of fabulous fall-creations in your future 🔮
And now I have to look into a Guild Membership 😬
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Check it out, if anything, it can connect you with other crocheters!
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That sounds great 😍 Thank you, Brenna
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I looked into joining the guild a few months ago, and the closest chapter is two hours away. I am so very jealous! The conference is the biggest reason I want to join!
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You could always start your own chapter, that’s something I am going to look into. The conference is worth it, though, and you don’t have to be a member to attend!
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Mission accomplished. I’m in a jealous rage! But I’m also glad you got go and had a fantastic time.
I’m so mad at myself for missing the conference when it came to San Diego. That’s about an hour drive for me. Not that far but I hate driving into downtowns. And I didn’t want to go alone so I talked myself out of it. I figured I could go the next time it was in San Diego. Turns out it might never come back close enough for me to drive. Now I regret it and I’m kicking myself. However, my sis-in-law said we should go together next year no matter where it is. I am so down for that! So maybe I’ll make others jealous next year. 🙂
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Yolanda you will love it! I am starting to think about how I can get my family to do a long weekend, next year, and I’ll just skip out for a class a day. It would be great to meet you in person too! Keep me posted 😀.
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That would fantastic! Would so love to see you there.
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😊👍
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How wonderful for you Brenna! So much to see and learn, all that yummy yarn, oh my!
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Thanks Kathy! It was a great experience, it’s amazing how trying something new can be good for the soul and mind!
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Yessiree!
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Lucky you, it looks amazing! 😊
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Thanks!
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Well jel, I don’t know the if the UK have this if not were totally boring. Looks so much fun and when you said her dress It took me ages to click in that it was crocheted. It’s so damn beautiful, that could easily be hanging in a cute boutique somewhere!
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That dress is incredible! She is such a talented designer, and had some great advice. The U.K. might not have a conference like this, but you seem to have an awesome crochet community. I follow lots of you talented ladies, and sometimes I wish I lived overseas so I could buy good wool and meet you all!
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Awww she sure is can really tell it just by that dress, I’m still kind blown! It’s so cool seeing other communities, I wish I lived closer as well I really do think a cruise or something would be so cool!
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I’m totally jealous! Love the colours you picked 😍
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Thanks! I can’t wait to start hooking!
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Looks wonderful, Brenna – glad to hear you got to make it this year and enjoy some inspiring classes. As a Chicagoan, I hope you had a chance to enjoy the city as well! 🙂
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Unfortunately it was a day trip to the conference and back, but I’d like to get to Chicago soon, my daughter wants an American Girl trip 😉.
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It worked, I am soo jealous – we don’t have anything similar near Austria and I was so “wow” when I first read about the CGOA. Will be nice to see what you will create with that beautiful yarn!
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Thanks! I can’t wait to start a project with the yarn, I will definitely post when I do!
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You’re right! I’m jealous but in a good way. So glad you got to go. Sounds like it was a blast!
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It was very cool, I hope to go again someday 😊.
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I was there too. Agree with you 100%. Lily Chin was great. (Check out my post about Lily https://knittina.wordpress.com/2017/08/03/lily-isms/ )
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It was great to meet you there Tina! I will definitely check out your post 😊.
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Really, its awesome 👏
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I agree😊.
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How awesome is it that you met some crochet celebs!!!!! I am very very jealous!! That yarn!!!!!! ❤ ❤ ❤
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I had a great time! Maybe next year we can all go!
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That sounds fab! I am just a teensy bit jealous :p
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Ha! It was pretty fun 😊.
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Such a beautiful bag 😊😊 I love the colours x x
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Thanks!
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You are most welcome dear 😊😊 x x
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I’m very jealous of the yarn! Looks lovely and the bag looks brilliant too 🙂
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Thanks! I can’t wait to start a project with the yarn!
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