Crochet Guild of America's

4th annual CHAIN LINK

Crochet Conference

held August 7-10, 1997

Chicago: City of Ethnic Celebration

Chain Link '97: Post Conference Seminars

Lily Chin and CYCA Instructor Course

held Aug. 10-12, 1997

Lily Chin's The Elements of Design

by B.J. Licko-Keel

Some observations on "The Elements of Designing Crocheted Garments," a two-day Post-Conference Workshop with Lily Chin held August 10 to 12, 1997:

The workshop began with each participant creating their own customized dressmaker's sloper, which formed the basis on which actual garments could be planned according to personal figure needs. Using the sloper, it was possible to visualize colors, shapes, and patterns for a variety of garments.

Then began the study of the many kinds of crocheted fabrics that could be used. The different fabrics were categorized by weight, draping effects (or lack of "drapiness"), the effects of stitch patterns, and yarn textures. Each fabric was discussed in terms of what kinds of fabrics were appropriate for different types of garments.

The class was then walked through the steps of creating an original crocheted fashion garment, from choosing materials, through swatching, construction, charting, and fitting, to finishing and accessorizing. The instructor was extremely generous in her sharing of design notes and schematics for her published designs, which included the now-legendary gold lamé bikini created for Isaac Mizrahi that appeared in Sports Illustrated magazine's Bathing Suit Special Issue. She also made available many other sample garments which have appeared in just about every major publication that publishes instructions for crocheted garments.

One of the highlights for the computer devotees was a demonstration and frank discussion of the garment-design software programs available at this time. Because computer-aided design programs save so much charting time when considering different design options, quite a few participants were interested in exploring their possibilities.

The sharing of helpful information by a talented professional-almost like a bird's-eye view of the fashion industry-was, from both practical and esthetic points of view, a memorable learning experience.

CYCA's Certified Crochet Instructor Course

The Craft Yarn Council of America and CGOA offered CYCA's Certified Crochet Instructor Program as part of the Chain Link '97 Post Conference.

by Marsha Parkhill

I never thought I would feel I've had enough crocheting time! But, after completing the Certified Crochet Instructor Program at the Chain Link '97 Post-Conference and crocheting for most of two and a half days, I felt I finally had my fill. But it was worth it!

Arnetta Kenney was the instructor for almost two dozen crocheters and really put us through our paces - or rather stitches - covering techniques such as broomstick lace, afghan stitch, crohooks, hairpin lace, filet crochet, reading symbols, seam techniques and a most helpful segment on converting gauge. We ended up with a pile of sample swatches to help us in our teaching and also took away teaching tips and suggestions.

The Craft Yarn Council of America (CYCA) offers this course free of charge in exchange for crocheters agreeing to teach either groups or individuals in their community to crochet. They require a total of 25 hours teaching time within six months after completing the whole course. If you can get 15 people together in your own area, CYCA will provide an instructor for the Certified Crochet Instructor course.

They recommend prospective teachers be at an advanced beginning level. I consider myself an intermediate crocheter and I really learned a lot - increasing my skills and learning new ones - and had a lot of fun doing it.

If you are interested in attending a CYCA Certified Crochet Instructor Course, phone CYCA at 704-824-7838; email: cycainfo@aol.com; or write:

Craft Yarn Council of America
P.O. Box 9
Gastonia, NC 28053