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Crochet Guild of America's
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BJ401A A New Beginning, Endings and Joining. Jean Blaine. The
double chain stitch is a wonderful way to begin projects, it's like combining
the foundation row and a row of single crochet. Joining pieces and edging
them is always a challenge. Jean discussed the benefits of some of the different
techniques. Edgings can be done for utility or for frills. Students learned
to do the double chain stitch, and how this new beginning affects their
patterns. The class joined several pieces together with different techniques,
both decorative and invisible, then experimented with different edgings,
including the crab stitch (reverse single crochet). (3 hours, Saturday PM)
CL101A Fine Shaping in Stitch Patterning. Lily Chin. This class
was for those who have worked some fancy stitch pattern only to be stumped
when it came time to shape the neckline. Or who wanted to know how to have
a classic set-in sleeve instead of the dreaded drop shoulder. Or how to
create a refined fit and nip in for the waist/full for the bust? This class
showed how to work within the stitch structure of a fancy pattern and still
add the necessary garment shaping. Students learned trade secrets from Lily's
ready-to-wear experience. (3 hours, Friday AM)
CL201A Computer Aided Design. Lily Chin. Lily demonstrated how
designers and fiber artists can use electronic media as a very useful tool
to aid the creative process. Class included a broad overview of realistic
achievements and realistic expectations of what to gain from using a computer.
Lily even discussed the pros and cons of different systems (IBM-compatibles
vs. Macs), and showed some of the various software available. CAD has been
a new and exciting way for Lily to visualize her work beforehand. It has
allowed her to experiment a whole lot more without a whole lot of extra
investment in materials and time. Covered also was down-to-earth information
on price, peripherals, on-line help services, and the dreaded "learning
curve." (3 hours, Friday PM)
CL302B Chic, Shapely Crocheted Chevrons. Lily Chin. Most of us
are familiar with the zig-zag effects that stacking decreases and increases
on top of one another produces. We find them most often on what are known
as "ripple" afghans. This class taught the many different, decorative
stitches that do this from filet-lace to dynamic, colored stripes. Students
familiarized themselves with the different kinds of increases and decreases,
then applied these to uniquely sculptural fabrics. Covered was how to plan
for A-line garments, circular skirts and peplums, even yokes. Students were
also shown how to take this technique even further to fancy floral appliqués
and leaves. (6 hours, Saturday AM & PM)
FM102B The Unique, Trés Chic Beret. Margaret Fisher. This
class was all about how to make a wonderfully textured beret using "controlled"
free-form crochet. Students learned and practiced the textured stitches
and color changing techniques which are used to make this stylish hat. They
tried the easy way of working in the round as they used multiple colors,
textures, and stitches to create their own special chapeau! Seven textured
stitches used in free-form crochet were demonstrated: bump, bobble, popcorn,
puff, round the stem, spike, surface raised. Margaret showedhow to use a
template to work free-form in the round, and also demonstrate dtechniques
for changing colors, working in ends, and decreasing. Students practiced
all of these stitches and techniques while creating a sampler. They then
made a template for the top of the beret, and got started on their hats.
(6 hours, Friday AM & PM)
GH501A Safe Stitching: Protect Your Hands. Hetty Gunderud. Carpal
Tunnel Syndrome (one of the Repetitive Strain Injuries) and Arthritis are
two of the most common causes of hand and wrist pain experienced while performing
crochet and other repetitive activities. Participants learned to identif
y
and then eliminate or reduce stressors to hands and arms when performing
crafts such as crocheting and knitting and other crafts identified by the
group. Hetty demonstrated different adaptive devices available on the market
and how to adapt the craft tools to reduce stress in the hands and wrists.
Instruction in special stretch exercises wasbe included, with handouts.
Hetty provided individual attention, including critique and analysis of
how students held their crochet hooks. (3 hours, Sunday AM)
JK103B Copy Cat Crochet. Kathleen Power Johnson. This class showed
how to adapt a sewing pattern to crochet and become a designer the easy
way. Students reviewed the use of several basic calculator functions to
save time and avoid errors. Kathleen showed how to convert the dimensions
of a sewing pattern to a crochet pattern using gauge and pattern repeat
data in conjunction with a designer's worksheet. The use of schematics,
planning and calculating slope decreases and neckline shaping, methods for
simplifying pattern contours and finishing details was also covered. Students
used a hypothetical crochet gauge and an actual sewing pattern for measurements
and calculations, completing a worksheet with a schematic of their own design.
The class brainstormed creative ideas for personalizing designs and overcoming
figure and design obstacles. There was
no time to crochet in this class.
(6 hours, Friday AM & PM)
JK303B Twists & Turns with Tunisian Crochet Jewelry. Kathleen
Power Johnson. Take Tunisian crochet (afghan stitch) where it has never
gone before! Even the novice crocheter can produce intricate sculpted and
embellished bands using this simple technique, linen thread, a steel needle
and a handful of beads. Starting from the basic technique, Kathleen will
take you through several conventional and unconventional variations of Tunisian
crochet as you create a bracelet, watchband or necklace. She will also show
you how to incorporate beads and other embellishments as you crochet or
after the fact, plus present ideas for surface decoration, and making or
attaching closures. Different jewelry applications including watchbands,
chokers, necklaces and earrings and the variety of findings available will
be discussed. Students will learn how to increase and decrease in Tunisian
crochet, how to make wrapped stitches, clusters, 3-D scallops, and to crochet
interlaced bands. (6 hours, Saturday AM & PM)
JK502A Anything Goes: Crazy Quilt Crochet. Kathleen Power Johnson.
This class experienced the freedom and creativity of creating odd-shaped
blocks in a variety of yarns to incorporate in basic garments, gift items
and afghans. They learne
d how to begin crocheting and never look back as
they crocheted shapes onto shapes. No assembly required! There was also
some time to practice common embroidery stitches used in crazy-quilting.
Kathleen talked about the concept of crazy quilts, and different applications
of this technique to crochet, then demonstrated drafting the overall final
product, and adaption to garments and items such as Christmas stockings
using just an outline and finessing shaping obstacles. Students drafted
a simple outline, starting by crocheting one shape to "seed" the
process, then built directly on this shape with different yarns. They worked
on an 8.5 by 11 inch mini-afghan, using their draft outline to guide the
growth of the shapes. (3 hours, Sunday AM)
MR104B Picking Sides: A Sideways Sweater. Rick Mondragon. When
you crochet sideways, you can create a garment that is fun, fast and flattering.
The 90-degree approach makes a naturally occurring vertically striped garment.
Students discovered the easy approach to creating wearable garments! Rick
demonstrated how to measure and design a "sideways" sweater. Students
began a sweater vest, working in their choice of colors and stitches. (6
hours, Friday AM & PM)
MR304B Woven Wonders. Rick Mondragon. Do you like handwovens?
Rick showed how to imitate them in our crochet fabric in various ways to
achieve different looks through color and sequence of weave. Students learned
the different ways that weaving and crochet can be combined. Great for shawls,
afghans and clothing. Rick also showed samples of his creations that use
the techniques of surface design, freeform, overlay, crochet-and-weave-as-you-go,
and inlay. Then he demonstrated how to weave through existing crochet in
both horizontal and vertical directions, as well as how to crochet and weave
simultaneously. Students made samples, and then design a woven item for
themselves (6 hours, Saturday AM & PM)
NN105B Five Fabric Hems for Crocheted Edges. Nancy Nehring. Students
learned how to work five fabulous edgings on fabric. They started by hemming
fabric, then adding the crochet lace. All five methods allow the remoavl
of the lace to be able to use it again, which is important because fabric
usually wears out before the crochet lace.
Students worked a minimum of
5 inches of each edging, including an outside corner on a 10-inch handkerchief
blank. Edges covered were pierced crochet, hemstitching, punched, blanket
and entreduex hems. (6 hours, Friday AM & PM)
NN503A Victorian Crocheted Button/Brooch. Nancy Nehring. Students
crocheted an exquisite 1.5 inch button or brooch with either a chain stitch
or bullion stitch center. Nancy also talked about the fascinating history
of Victorian crochet buttons and demonstrated the bullion stitch. (3 hours,
Sunday AM)
OK305B Crochet Basics for Beginners. Kathleen Ocken. This class
was for those who have always wanted to learn how to crochet but could never
find someone to teach the real basics. Kathleen covered what beginners need
to know, including tools, yarns, patterns and the basic stitches. And also
where to place the hook, how to read a pattern, how to select a yarn and
when to use the different tools and techniques. (6 hours, Saturday AM &
PM)
PA 106A
& PA504A Dressing for Fun, Glamour, Size & Art.
Annie Potter. The object of this class was to feel great in what you make!
Students learned how to wear and enjoy the beautiful things they crochet.
Annie talked about body types and personality styles and in this workshop,
everyone came away knowing what body shape they really are and what looks
best on them. The class tried on many kinds of crochet accents and experimented
with the different crochet stitches that formed these beautiful accessories.
(3 hours, offered twice Friday AM & Sunday AM)
RM306B It Looks Just Like A Sweater! Mary Rhodes (McGoveran).
This class showed how to take advantage of the 3-dimensional aspects of
crochet to make a sweater from the "top down." Students learned
that you don't have to crochet garments in multiple pieces and then sew
them together. Mary demonstrated how to make the "granny inspired"
sweater yoke featured in her Tips & Tricks column in the September,
1997 Chain Link newsletter. Students learned how Fibonacci increases create
a really nice curve that is the same no matter what your gauge, and also
how increase lines can be manipulated to create a visual seam line. Students
made sw
atches and a small sample sweater (suitable for a baby), and charted
their own pattern. (6 hours, Saturday AM & PM)
TS107B Irish Crochet Techniques. Suzann Thompson. This class was
for those who have always admired Irish crochet, and wanted to try their
hand at it. Suzann talked briefly about the history of Irish crochet, and
showed slides of Irish crochet motifs. She then demonstrated padded crochet,
clones knots, bullion stitch, and background netting. Students made a sampler
that included all the unique Irish crochet techniques. (6 hours, Friday
AM & PM)
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TS307A MultiColor Mania. Suzann Thompson. Variegated, heather,
fleck, and tweed sometimes look great in the skein, but often look unsatisfactory
when crocheted into a garment or ot
her project. "Toning Down"
and "Playing Up" are just two of the various methods students
learned in order to use these multi-color yarns to their best advantage.
They made several small swatches to see how different stitches affect multicolor
patterns, and also made swatches to test color combinations. (3 hours, Saturday
AM)
TS402A Cornering & Curving Crochet Trims. Suzann Thompson.
This class was for those who love crochet edgings, but needed help with
adjusting the pattern to go around corners and curves. Suzann showed how
to determine the best place in the edging to make a corner and how to alter
the edging pattern to go around corners and curves. Students practiced cornering
and curving edgings using photocopies of various trims, then tried their
hand at executing one of their practice corners in crochet. (3 hours, Saturday
PM)
TP108A Interlocking & Overlocking Shapes. Pauline Turner. Pauline demonstrated how to use geometric shapes in interesting ways to form patterning and design for both contemporary art and fashion. Pauline showed easy ways to make shapes, interlocking shapes, and how to build up shapes into 3-dimensional forms. Students made a three-dimensional panel for use as a cushion, collage or part of a fashion garment. (3 hours, Friday AM)< BR CLEAR="ALL">
TP202A Textured Tunisian. Pauline Turner. Students learned how
to add texture to their crochet by using the Tunisian (afghan) hook and
combining both different stitches and different yarns for many interesting
effects. Pauline demonstrated ways to create texture in both single and
multiple colors, and how to mix different thicknesses of yarn to create
texture. Students made a simple back in color for a textured panel that
allowed their imaginations to run riot. (3 hours, Friday PM)
TP308A Clones Knots. Pauline Turner. The clones knot can be used
to create imaginative trimmings such as buttons and braids. Students learned
the variety of ways to get texture by wrapping the yarn around the hook
in different ways, and how to use different yarns for different effects,
including threads and very textured yarns. They discovered the real fun
and joy of using clones knots for surface embellishment with mohair. Students
made a free form three-dimensional panel. (3 hours, Saturday AM)
TP505A Funghi & Fun. Pauline Turner. Students learned how
to use both hidden funghi and flamboyant funghi to get three dimensional
texture by using numerous crochet methods including surface crochet. Students
developed the freeforms of funghi and used t
he unexpected results to form
creative "sculptures." (3 hours, Sunday AM)
VC203A Tapestry Crochet Eyeglass Case. Carol Ventura. Tapestry
crochet enables an artist to create unique and sturdy three-dimensional
pieces with only a few dollars worth of equipment. It differs from ordinary
crochet in its texture, tension, and how colors are worked. Carol gave a
brief history of tapestry crochet and talked about the many possibilities
for this technique. Students designed and executed an eyeglass case. Simple
motifs were drawn onto "tapestry" graph paper, transferred onto
square-ruled graph paper, and then incorporated into the project. After
the cases were finished, students learned how to block their work. (3 hours:
Friday PM)
VC309B Flat Tapestry Crochet. Carol Ventura. Tapestry crochet
enables an artist to create unique and sturdy tapestries with only a few
dollars worth of equipment. It differs from ordinary crochet in its texture,
tension, and how colors are worked. Unlike traditional crochet, flat tapestry
crochet does not show the back of the stitch on every other row. By using
one of two special techniques, the front of the stitch is always on
the
face of the tapestry and the back of the stitch is always on the reverse
of the piece. Students designed and executed a small flat tapestry. Specially
designed graph paper allowed each participant to design his/her own unique
tapestry. After the pieces were finished, students learned how to shape
and block their work. (6 hours: Saturday AM & PM)
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