This is a listing of instructors and description of the classes they taught at the Chain Link '96 Crochet Conference sponsored by the Crochet Guild of America.
Abandoning a career in finance, Laura has woven an interesting combination
of needlework disciplines in her employment positions. She began designing
quilt wall hangings, baskets, and knit and crochet items. In 1994, she founded
Origins, a company which provides sophisticated yet simple to make designs
for needleworkers. As a national teacher, Laura offers various workshops
featuring jewelry items and amulet pouch necklaces. She is a juried, Marketing
Member of the gallery of New Jersey Designer Craftsmen.
Crocheted Treasure Pouch Necklace. Participants
created beautiful and original treasure pouch necklaces, first learning
how to crochet the pouch, construct the neck braid and then embellish the
necklace with an assortment of beads from around the world in coordinating
colors with your necklace, including a special treasure bead to "live"
in the pouch.
Beaded "Flapper" Purse. "Flapper"
style purse created in your variety of thread and seed beads in colors ranging
from funky and fun to evening elegance. Finishing touch was a twisted cord
drawstring that students could decide to bead or not.
Wow! What a Great Scarf! Students crocheted
dynamite crocheted scarves - heavy and sheer, colorful and subdued. Using
simple crochet stitches and a great variety of yarns, including hand-dyed,
students created "designer" originals.
Named a "Master Knitter of the 90's" by Vogue Knitting, this
NYC native has been involved in some aspect of the fashion industry since
age 13. Lily designs regularly for all the major magazines and yarn companies
as well as fabric development and knitdowns for Seventh Avenue. She writes
the "On Designing" column for Knitter's and the "Designing
for the Machine" column for Machine Knit America. Her workshops, lectures,
and seminars on hand and machine knitting and crochet are conducted around
the country. In early '94, Lily served as International Fashion and Design
Consultant to the Indonesian Textile Association in Bali and to Malaysian
manufacturing concerns in Kuala Lumpur.
Designing Better Crocheted Fashion Garments.
The stereotype of crocheted clothing is that of suits of armor. To avoid
this look, this class analyzed the elements that go into good garment design
and figured out how to achieve this in our medium. Topics of discussion
included fitting, fabric, drape, graphics, visuals, color, stitches, texture,
silhouette, line, construction and more.
Mosaic Crocheting. Students learned how
to crochet a version of the knit technique that allows for multiple color
patterns using only one color of yarn at a time. This translation makes
for firmer fabrics that are ideal for coats and jackets and heavier sweaters.
Crocheting since receiving lessons as a child from her grandmothers,
Kate uses science and art degrees as well as experience as a high school
teacher to bring a fresh approach to bead crochet. Her jewelry pieces are
exceptional and she has recently authored and self-published a booklet,
entitled Crocheting with Beads.
Crocheting with Beads-Theory. This class
taught the foundation for using beads in any type of beaded crochet project.
Students learned the fundamentals for employing beads in doilies, edgings,
bags/purses, collars, braids, appliques, tassels, fringes, je
welry, home
decor, to name a few. Kate discussed types of materials, design considerations,
and specific techniques.
Sylvia and James have worked together since the '70s, leading the field
in crochet design and innovation. They have been technical advisors on various
national and international publications, appeared on television and in films
and have written many books. They teach as a team, always encouraging a
creative and imaginative personal approach to crochet.
Intermeshing?
This rich and satisfying branch of crochet has no recognized name and has
never been properly explored. Based upon filet crochet, two or more layers
of filet mesh in two contrasting colors are combined and the stitches intertwined
to create geometric or stained-glass pattern effects.
Crochet in Color. One of the huge joys
of crochet today is the profusion of colored yarns available. Not everyone,
however, has the confidence to just plunge in and play, and some may not
always be happy with their results. A frequently asked question is: "How
do you choose your colors?" Sylvia and James shared their down-to-earth
approach to selecting and combining colors. They also guided students' experiments
into the various color e
ffects that can be achieved with different stitches
and patterns.
Lory has dabbled in knitting and crochet since she was a teenager, but
has really concentrated on her work in the last five years. She is self-taught,
relishes the classes she has taken from CGOA and looks forward to passing
on what she has learned to others.
On The Square: The
Portable Afghan. Using basic crochet stitches, students created
squares that when put together resemble quilt patterns. This class included
an introduction to the afghan (Tunisian) stitch. Students learned how to
create a Seminole Patchwork afghan and squares for Grandma's Fan and Log
Cabin afghans.
In 1988, Aurelia took her 26-year-old hobby of crochet and turned it
into a small but growing home-based business. Her specialties include original
designing, heirloom repair, lessons and, primarily, the retail and wholesale
of quality hand-crocheted apparel and accessories. Her desire to promote
quality crochet by sharing her knowledge and experience with others continues
to grow along with her business.
Heirloom Repair. The invisible repair
of afghans and grandma's tablecloth and bedspread was disc
ussed. In this
primarily hands-on class, students learned how to identify what is repairable
and how to obtain the threads and yarns necessary to match the original,
as well as how to prevent the need for repairs in the first place.
Sylvia is a free-lance writer for dozens of craft publications and teaches
for California Community Colleges. Her designs appear in Crochet World Magazine,
Crafts Magazine, Plastic Canvas & More Magazine, Annie's Crochet Newsletter,
Crafts 'n' Things, Wearable Crafts and Piecework Magazine. She has Community
College Teaching Credential, is a Certified Craft Designer with the Society
of Craft Designers, is a National Seminar Speaker and Freelance Designer
and Columnist for many craft magazines.
Profit from Your Crochet. This class answered
the question, "How do I make the leap from hobbyist to professional
in the crochet field?" From differentiating between practical people
and creative people, to legal matters to setting prices and networking,
Sylvia lead the students through a logical progression of steps to becoming
a successful crochet professional.
Selling Designs to Magazines. Sylvia gave
the A-to-Z approach in her lecture to help creative persons translate designs
- either in the head
or on paper - to designs that get published.
As co-owner of The Lazy Daisy needlework shop, Caryl has taught there
for 11 years as well as various other Knitting Guilds. She is a member of
The Knitting Guild of America (TKGA) and CGOA and served on the Education
Committee for TKGA for two years. Her Peruvian hat design won the 1989 competition
at the TKGA convention in Denver, CO. Her Christmas Tree Vest pattern in
included in Hayfield Cascade's American Designer Series.
Raglan Pizazz. This class covered how
to create a one-of-a-kind sweater without using a pattern. With this classic
neck-down raglan, students had a chance to use various yarn textures, fibers,
colors and stitches of their choice. The class encouraged students to stretch
their imaginations and have a good time creating something unique and interesting,
rather than utilitarian.
After several years in sales, marketing and finance, Mary started Stella-Marie
Studios and Stella-Marie Publications, of which she is still the sole owner.
She designs all Stella-Marie Patterns and Kits, plus publishes patterns
through magazines. Currently she is consulting and developing packaging
ideas as well as the crochet designs to go with them. Her consuming pass
ion
is to study and preserve crochet works of the past 150 years!
Unraveling the Mystery of Antique Crochet.
Students were taught some 19th century crochet design techniques and used
that information for figuring out how actual antique pieces were made. Experienced
crocheters and designers developd a pattern from pieces the teacher provided.
Other crocheters brought an old crochet piece they wished to reproduce or
a desired pattern to work.
Michelle is a crochet designer and writer who has been crocheting for
the past 19 years. Most recently, her article on Bosnian Crochet appeared
in McCall's Crochet Magazine. In addition, she teaches classes locally,
creates one-of-a-kind artwork pieces in crochet and is the librarian for
CGOA.
Bosnian Crochet: Historical & Technical
Aspects. Combining lecture, demonstration and hands-on, Michelle gave
students an in-depth look at Bosnian Crochet, based on her article which
appeared in McCall's Crochet. In addition, detailed historical information
and techniques were covered.
Celtic Knotwork Jewelry. Working with
fine metallic thread, students crocheted pieces to be incorporated into
a Celtic Knotwork design.
An avid knitter/crocheter for more than three decades, Ginger has demonstrated
her ability to teach to all levels of learners using multiple approaches.
She holds California Designated Subjects Credential in Knitting/crocheting,
TKLGA Master Knitter Level 1, CYCA Certified Instructor Instructor in Knitting
and Crochet. Her designs have been published in McCall's Crochet and Hooked
on Crochet.
Designing Your Own Crocheted Garments Using
Sewing Patterns. Students learned how to design a crocheted garment
using the yarn of their choice and a sewing pattern.
After crocheting for most of her life, Valerie met the camel (crochet)
at the home of a friend. Since then she has designed and edited Camel Crochet
and Camel Crochet 2, and designed dozens of patterns using this unique crochet
technique from high in the Himalayas of Afghanistan.
Camel Crochet Basics. Camel crochet is
an exciting new approach to the ancient handicraft of crochet resulting
in crocheted garments, afghans, and other items with the softness of knitting.
Students learned the basic technique and five variations of Camel crochet.
Crochet w
as handed down to Marjorie from her grandmother and mother.
She has a BA and high school teaching qualifications as well as the Diploma
in Crochet. An active handspinner and crochet demonstrator in the UK and
member of the Executive Committee of the Knitting & Crochet Guild, Marjorie
is bringing new ideas of colour and texture, with a wealth of experience
to make simple, unique articles.
Broomstick Crochet. Students learned how
to do broomstick crochet, make samples and/or a simple cushion cover or
sleeveless vest.
Gloria Tracy is a freelance designer, teacher and writer. Her company,
Galloping Horse Creations, is active in design and education for Cascade
yarns. She is also a partner with Susan Levin in "Knit One, Crochet
Too," which markets multi-color, fashion-forward knit and crochet kits.
She travels the United States holding in-store workshops for retail stores,
organizations and guilds. A widely published writer and designer, Gloria
is an accredited professional teacher, designer and writer listed with the
Professional Knitwear Designer's Guild, and is a member of the Knitting
Guild of America, the British Knitting & Crochet Guild, The National
Needlework Association and CGOA.
Crochet 6 + 6 + 2 = WOW! Stu
dents learned
the 6 traditional crochet stitches plus learn 6 Elmore stitches (which are
thinner and add flexibility to the crochet fabric). Gloria also shared 2
secrets! As a bonus, she showed a learner-friendly way of remembering the
international crochet symbols.
Pauline is a life member of the British Knitting & Crochet Guild
and became the leading expert in Lancashire, England in 1978. She began
her career as an author and consultant in 1980. Her love of crochet is such
that she will take on any challenge, including crocheting into ice cream,
which was televised. Her own business, Crochet Design, was started in 1983,
her Diploma in Crochet was established in 1985 and the International Crochet
Awards began in 1990. Pauline's fun-loving view of crochet continues to
take her into many unusual situations worldwide!
Polish Star Stitch.
Dramatic eye-catching designs are possible using this technique. Students
were treated to the excitement of making a loosely crocheted fabric into
a closed three-dimensional pattern. Ways to incorporate the Polish Star
Stitch into crocheted garments was also discussed.
Crazy Colour. This class was for the free
thinker AND the logically minded. Irregular use of blocks of colour
that
do not distort the final shape, patchwork colour, and ways of changing the
look of the colour already incorporated were all included. Students were
in two groups doing two different things, and came together to share the
results of the different approaches.
Chunky Surface Embellishment. Adding crochet
to other fabrics, whether crochet, knitted or woven, is great fun! Use of
imaginative materials was displayed, but the technique was demonstrated
in regular yarns.
Jackie is a teacher, wife and mother who considers herself a Renaissance
woman. She has taught all sorts of arts and crafts to all sorts of people
in all sorts of locations including schools, daycare centers, guilds, yarn
shops, national conferences and even at a remote island retreat.
Understanding Those "New Fangled"
Symbols. Once you learn how to crochet from symbols, you'll never want
to crochet from a standard pattern again! Students learned how to read and
understand the symbols and how to read a pattern. Students had an opportunity
to crochet a small item from these symbols, thus using their new-found skills.
Having learned from her grandmother's friend, Lori has been crochet
ing
for 18 years. She recently started teaching crochet classes and is a Certified
Crochet Instructor of the Craft Yarn Council of America. Lori is also the
Treasurer of CGOA.
Beaded Tubular Necklace.
Students learned how to crochet a necklace using 3mm beads and crochet cotton
thread. Lori demonstrated all techniques and students learned how to transfer
beads onto thread and then how to crochet with them. Necklace design, working
with beads, and finishing techniques were covered.
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