CGOA Education and Masters Program
Click here to learn how to crochet if you are right handed.
Click here to learn how to crochet if you are left handed.
Click here to teach children how to crochet.
Click here to read about and enroll in the CGOA Masters Program.
CGOA MASTER OF ADVANCED CROCHET STITCHES AND TECHNIQUES
ABOUT THE MASTERS PROGRAM
The CGOA Masters Committee, led by the late Jean Leinhauser, created the CGOA Masters Program offering called the CGOA Master of Advanced Crochet Stitches and Techniques. Intermediate or better crocheters are invited to enroll to stretch their knowledge and show mastery of advanced techniques and stitches.
The Masters program is not a program for beginners, but is open to both members and non-members of CGOA. Best of all, it is easy to enroll. Go to https://www.e-offinger.net/cgoadata/scriptcontent/IndexJoin.cfm. Direct all other correspondence to Masters@Crochet.org or CGOA, 1100-H Brandywine Blvd., Zanesville OH 43701-7303
Once you sign up, what can you expect? You will receive via e-mail or mail a program workbook that will guide you through crocheting 48 swatches and you will answer a few questions. All swatches are to be made in worsted weight acrylic yarn (Group 4) in a light, solid color. You will create a portfolio of your work by tagging each swatch with your name and swatch number, and placing them and your question answers in plastic sleeves in 3-ring binders. You will then notify Masters@Crochet.org and they will tell you when and where to ship your portfolio for review. (Note that there has been a large backlog in setting review assignments, so we appreciate your patience.) All reviewers are CGOA members who are experts trained in reviewing the program.
You may submit questions if you need help along the way. There is a Ravelry Group for the CGOA Master's Program. It was created to help you on your way to receiving the Master’s certificate and pin. You can find the group here: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/cgoa-masters-program and we hope you will join us and ask any questions you have about the program there. The reviewers watch this group for questions and to help answer anything you may need. If you are not comfortable in a group situation, you can always contact us through Masters@Crochet.org to get help as well.
Watch for helpful crochet courses and Crochet Master’s Day at CGOA Chain Link Conference.
Your portfolio will be returned with a written review of your work, and with an attractive certificate upon successful completion. All who successfully complete the program are eligible to receive a Master’s pin at Chain Link Conference.
The program is divided into seven parts. All are to be completed and submitted at one time. Here is a quick look at what is covered.
- Part One: Different methods of working into starting chains, including foundation single crochet (sometimes called chainless foundation), and different methods of starting pieces worked in the round, including the Magic Ring method. Neither the foundation single crochet nor the Magic Ring is new, but both have recently become popular and are being used in many new patterns. Also included are instructions for working a flat circle, which is often used in patterns for crocheting hats and handbags.
- Part Two: This covers your understanding of gauge and its importance, and explains the Golden Loop method of adjusting row gauge, which is a challenge for many crocheters.
- Part Three: Instructions are given for working special stitches such as extended stitches and linked stitches.
- Part Four: This covers textured stitches, including working in back or front loops only, post stitches, front and back popcorns, clusters, puff stitches, cables, shells, fans, bullion or roll stitches and picots.
- Part Five: Here you will work swatches of 10 advanced decorative stitch patterns, using many of the techniques already covered. Instructions are given for each, but there are no photos so this will challenge your ability to carefully read and follow written patterns.
- Part Six: Here you will work a variety of motifs, including a square, triangle, pentagon, hexagon, a dimensional flower and others.
- Part 7: This covers final touches, such as edgings (including reverse single crochet or crab stitch) and braids.
Are you ready to begin? Place your order, today!
UPDATES TO THE MASTER OF ADVANCED STITCHES & TECHNIQUES MATERIALS
From time to time there may be updates or edits made to the CGOA Master of Advanced Stitches & Techniques materials. If you have enrolled in the program and have received your materials, you will note there is a "Version" date at the bottom of each page. If you are working through the materials, you should check to see if updates have been made. If you are working from an outdated version, you need to request that a free copy of the newest version be emailed or mailed to you (notify CGOA@Offinger.com) so you can make sure your submission complies before you send it in.
11/21/11 – This is the date of the latest version of the instructions (the revision level appears at the bottom of each page). The changes reflected in this update are given in this document.
DEFINITION OF "MASTER"
There could be as many definitions of "master" as it applies to crochet as there are crocheters. A Master has nothing to do with the number of years the candidate has been crocheting, or how many hundreds of projects have been made.
For the purposes of the CGOA program, the standards for a Master are as follows:
- Reads, follows and executes instructions as they are presented. Although the crocheter may prefer to use different methods, for this program the candidate is to follow the written instructions as given.
- Creates even, neat stitches, and maintains a standard gauge throughout a swatch.
- Chooses an appropriate hook size for the yarn being used.
- Weaves in all yarn ends securely and invisibly.
- Counts work to be sure each swatch has the correct number of stitches in each row, and that the correct number of rows have been worked for each swatch.
- Does not assume that the first time working a swatch of a new stitch is the swatch to submit. Is able to evaluate the work and takes time to be sure that the very best work is presented. Should be able to find errors prior to finalizing a swatch.
- Shows understanding of basic crochet principles in answers to questions.
- Satisfactorily completes ALL written and crocheted work as presented in the program instructions.
NOTE: Rework in the CGOA Masters program may be required if material presented is not satisfactory. If there are five or more unsatisfactory items identified by the reviewer, the portfolio will be returned as "Not Passing At This Time". See "Second Review" application form, with additional fees required to resubmit a non-passing portfolio.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What about those of us who crochet left-handed?
The materials do not make any special provision for left-handers. However, if you are considering enrolling, you must be at least at the Intermediate level and are probably used to following instructions written for right-handers. If so, you should have little trouble with the program.
Deadlines
There is no deadline.
Note the special timeframes required for re-enrolling (see form for "Subsequent Reviews"), if that should be necessary.
One Shipment
Note that all of the course material comes to you in one shipment; you receive everything at one time and return everything at one time.
Information on Ongoing Reviews and Backlog
A host of qualified volunteer reviewers are hard at work on reducing the backlog of scores of CGOA Masters portfolios slated for review. The volunteers thoughtfully and carefully examine each swatch and response you have sent in. It takes approximately one month to conduct a proper review. As previous Masters Committee Chairman Jean Leinhauser has said: "they do more than just open the portfolio, think, 'that looks good', and throw it in a box with a certificate to mail back to you."
Thank you for your patience as you wait to hear about your submission to the program. We hope to be able to add your name to the growing Masters of Advanced Crochet Stitches and Techniques graduates, soon.
GRADUATES
Congratulations to these Graduates of the Master of Advanced Stitches & Techniques:
| A - F | G - M | N - Z |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Vintage Masters: Basic Stitches Program (discontinued):
| A - G | H - O | P - Z |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
Vintage Masters: Fibers in Thread Program (discontinued):
- Jean Leinhauser (Reviewer)
- B. J. Licko-Keel (Reviewer)
- Phyllis Nabakowski
- Cheryl Riker
- Patricia Rosnel
- Annette Stewart
- Kathryn White
Check back for updates!