The Crochet Guild of America: 2008 Design Contest Announcement

The Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) is a non-profit organization founded in 1994. The main purpose of the Crochet Guild of America is to educate the public about crochet, provide education and networking opportunities, set a national standard for the quality, art and skill of crochet through creative endeavors, ensure the preservation of historical crochet projects, promote future crochet design ideas, and promote the art and skill of crochet through exhibitions, continuing education, demonstrations and seminars.

Support the art of crochet with membership in the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA). Membership in the Crochet Guild of America is open to all those who love crochet. Whether a beginner or an advanced crocheter, everyone is invited to join CGOA.

Benefits of Belonging

There are so many benefits to belonging to CGOA - the networking opportunities alone provide a valuable link to learning and sharing. Connect locally with other CGOA member crocheters. Learn whether or not a chapter is nearby. Interested in starting a chapter? CGOA has instructions for getting a local chapter started, too. Several businesses offer discounts upon joining.

Members of the Guild Privileges

Access to the members’ only area allows for even more networking. CGOA even sponsors teaching certificate programs. Members also receive one year’s subscription to Crochet! Magazine (published 6 times a year), one year’s subscription to Chain Link, (CGOA’s newsletter published 6 times a year, CGOA eNews, the national guild's newsletter (sent electronically), access to CGOA Membership Message Boards, discounts to annual and regional conferences, member to member discounts, and the opportunity to receive mentoring from crochet professionals already established in the industry. Corporate Members receive a link on CGOA's Web site, advertising discounts through "Crochet!" magazine and are listed in every issue of "Crochet!" magazine.

Patterns and Products Availability

If looking for free patterns on CGOA’s website, some can be found for non-members. Additional free patterns for members are available for members only. Patterns from CGOA's pattern line are also available for sale in the Specialty Shop.

CGOA’s membership directory includes links for those businesses and professionals who have signed up for special memberships to support CGOA. Some of these individuals have extended special discounts and services to you, our CGOA members.

Pattern Design Publishing

There is special information in CGOA’s Specialty Shop in which information may be obtained on how to submit original designs. One way to get started is this year’s design contest.

Announcing the 2008 Design Contest

CGOA announces the call for entries to what they hope will grow and become an annual CGOA Design Contest. This contest is open to CGOA members, only.

Rules are simple, and this inaugural year, they are not asking for written instructions. Entry is open to all members.

Judging will take place at CGOA's annual conference in Manchester, NH, July 23 - 27, 2008. Items will be displayed on the Show floor. Winners will be announced and prizes awarded on Thursday night, July 24, 2008 during the Key Note address. Deadline for entries is June 15, 2008.

More Information and Reference

The copyright of the article The Crochet Guild of America in Knitting & Crochet is owned by Renee Blixt. Permission to republish The Crochet Guild of America in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Nov 8, 2007 12:17 PM

Renee Blixt :

Any suggestions for our online knitting and crochet group's name? So far, I've heard, "The SuiteHearts" and "Arachna's Suite." *smile smile*

Nov 8, 2007 2:34 PM

xanthippe :

Love it!

Arachnaknits?

Nov 8, 2007 8:53 PM

Renee Blixt :

Cute! I'm going to take all the suggestions and make a poll. Keep 'em coming!

Nov 11, 2007 8:45 AM

illuminatedcodex :

I would like to suggest something based off of "Penelope" from the Odyssey. Here is the history to refresh your memory.

Penelope's husband goes off to the Trojan war. Penelope hopes for his return. She delays deciding on a new suitor by engaging in the preparation of a robe for the funeral canopy of Laertes, her husband's father. She pledges to make her choice among the suitors when the robe was finished. During the day she works at the robe, but in the night she undoes the work of the day. This is the famous Penelope's web, which is used as a proverbial expression for anything which is perpetually doing but never done.
Source: http://www.allfiberarts.com/library/goddess/blpenelope.htm

So I would suggest Penelopes_Web, Penelopiad, Penelopes_Guild, Penelopes_Loom, or Laertes_Shroud (ok maybe not) :). Just a few ideas. Anyone else have any?

Nov 11, 2007 9:08 AM

illuminatedcodex :

I just thought of another variation. Suite_Penelope or Penelopes_Suite.

Also did you know that traditionally men were the ones who knitted?

Nov 11, 2007 9:42 AM

Renee Blixt :

Fabulous! I loved the book The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood. Quick, but poignant. Highly recommended.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1841957178/103-1212054-5359027

Thanks so much for the suggestions--love 'em!

Nov 11, 2007 9:49 AM

Renee Blixt :

Actually, yes I did, but thank you for reminding us! The first knitting guild was exclusively male.

Also, in some parts of the world, shepherds (who were male) would sheer their sheep, and then bring home the fleece so that the women could spin it into yarn. Then, the men would take the yarn back with them to the fields and knit while they watched their flocks. They actually used stilts, both to get a better view of the sheep, and to knit more easily.

Fascinating stuff. Thanks again!

The Crochet Guild of America

2008 Design Contest Announcement

Purpose of The Guild

Benefits of Belonging

Members of the Guild Privileges

Patterns and Products Availability

Pattern Design Publishing

Announcing the 2008 Design Contest

More Information and Reference