Crochet Guild of America's

4th annual CHAIN LINK

Crochet Conference

held August 7-10, 1997

Chicago: City of Ethnic Celebration

Chain Link '97: Warm Up America! Crochet Bee

Updated: 3/8/98

Warm Up America! Crochet Bee Afghans Helped The East Coast

Deborah Richardson of the Craft Yarn Council of America (CYCA) inspired CGOA members with slides and stories of the Warm Up America! program which collects handmade afghans for the homeless and the American Red Cross. After the Meet the Board Buffet on Thursday, August 7, 1997, conference attendees sewed or crocheted together afghan squares (and worked on joining squares in any free time during the Conference).

Paula Linton-Allison of the Southern New Jersey Crochet Guild took home the completed afghans and hats. Nineteen of the afghans and 20 hats were donated to Catholic Charities, and six afghans went to Project Linus (which provides "security blankets" to children in hospitals). Paula also took home "a bunch" of squares to put together and will also donate those afghans when finished to Catholic Charities and Project Linus. Patricia Chase Inman, Project Linus coordinator, has thanked CGOA for its donation and complimented members on their creativity.

Crocheted Stripes Afghan Block

Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn, 2 colors

Crochet Hook Size G

Finished Size: 7" x 9"

With color A, ch 29 for the foundation row.

Row 1: With A, sk 3 ch, 1 dc in next ch and each ch to end, turn.

Row 2: With B, ch 1, skip 1 st, *1 dc in next st, sl st in next st, rep from * across row, ending in top of turning ch, turn.

Row 3: With B, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), *1 dc into next dc, 1 dc into next sl st, rep from * across row, ending in top of turning ch, turn.

Rows 4-5: With A, repeat rows 2 & 3.

Repeat rows 2-5 until piece measures 9 inches. Finish off.

Knitted Diamonds Afghan Block

Materials: Worsted Weight Yarn, 2 colors

Size 7 needles

Finished Size: 7" x 9"

With color A, cast on 35 sts.

Row 1: With A, knit all stitches.

Row 2: With A, K1, *P2 tog leaving sts on left hand needle, K the same 2 sts tog, rep from * to end of row.

Row 3: With B, K all stitches.

Row 4: With B, *P2 tog leaving sts on left hand needle, K the same 2 sts tog, rep from * across row to last st, K1.

Repeat rows 1-4 until piece measures 9 inches, end with row 2 or 4. Bind off loosely.