Crochet Guild of America President Karen Klemp officially opened Chain Link 2001, welcoming all attendees and guests. Karen introduced the CGOA executive board and chairpersons and the hard-working members of the local committee of the Sacramento Crochet Guild led by local co-chairpersons Elaine Beckham and Wilma Keith.

Our Keynote Speaker Rita Weiss shared a bit of her pioneering spirit with us in her speech, "Crochet It Forward. Crochet: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow".

Ms. Weiss saluted the women who helped to popularize crochet by teaching it to others and by publishing patterns.

She encouraged all to keep crochet alive by committing to teach three people who would in turn teach three others.

Rita's talk was truly inspirational and "Crochet It Forward" was hear throughout the remainder of the conference.< /p>

Rita Weiss,
American School of Needlework

A graduate of Ohio University, Rita began her career as an editor for Dover Publications in New York City, where she developed their innovative line of needlework and craft books. While there, she was instrumental in the republishing of several classics in field of crochet. She also edited a number of books for Dover which earned her reputation as one of the outstanding thread crocheters in the world. In 1980, Ms. Weiss joined ASN as executive vice president and marketing director and helped to turn ASN, one of the top producers of needlework and craft books today, into a multi-million dollar company. The company produces over 50 different craft and needlework titles each year which are sold in general merchandise and specialty chains as well as independent stores, and through mail order and book clubs.

We enjoyed a California Summer evening while we got the weekend off to a great start, including the first round of drawings for door prizes.

Of course to win, one had to buy raffle tickets. Elaine Beckham, right, sells tickets to Pauline Turner.