A Blast in Buffalo!

Last month, I attended the Crochet Guild of America's annual Chain Link Conference at the Summer Knit & Crochet Show in Buffalo, N.Y. While a slow economy did have its effects on the conference with fewer attendees and vendors, it was still a fun and energizing time for all. You just can't hold back the enthusiasm of avid crocheters when there is a crochet party going on! OK, it wasn't technically a party the whole time, but it was as much fun as one!

As always, a grand highlight of the conference was the combination banquet, fashion show and silent auction. It was fun seeing the variety of fabulous crochet fashions and accessories on parade. Featured were two designs from the September 2009 issue of Crochet! magazine: the Pretty Pansy Bag and Sierra Nevada Cardigan.

Photos courtesy of Alexander Iannelli.	Photo courtesy of Drew Emborsky.

The silent auction featured an impressive array of knitted and crocheted mittens, with the winning bids benefitting the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Multiple sclerosis affects a person's dexterity and concentration, both of which crocheters and knitters depend on to create their handmade projects. Support from organizations like the Crochet Guild of America, The Knitting Guild Association and the Knit & Crochet Show helps the Multiple Sclerosis Society pursue new treatments so that no one will have to forgo the pleasure of being able to participate in activities that are so rewarding, like knitting and crocheting.

The second annual Design Contest featured another fabulous array of prize-worthy entries in four categories: fashion, accessories, home decor and crochet as art. DRG was proud to sponsor several of the cash prize awards. Look for some of the winning designs in future issues of Crochet! magazine.

Amid all the fun at the conference, there was lots of serious crochet business going on as well, including Professional Development Day, an impressive selection of classes that taught a wide variety of crochet and knitting topics, and the members' meeting which discussed important issues for CGOA chapters and members. The CGOA Board of Directors was on hand at the meeting to address members' concerns and answer questions. The Board also held a day-long strategic planning session to develop ways to improve CGOA and better serve its members.

CGOA Board of Directors, l-r: Penny Sitler, CGOA Executive Director,Amy Shelton, Marty Miller, Vice President, Vashti Braha, Carol Alexander, Secretary, Rita Weiss, President and Drew Emborsky. Not pictured: Treva McCain, Treasurer. Photo courtesy of Alexander Iannelli.

The conference once again hosted a designer meet-and-greet event where designers were invited to meet with various publishers and show them their original designs. Companies that met with designers included DRG, Leisure Arts, Coats & Clark and Caron International. I was very impressed with the number of new designers I spoke with who presented a wonderful array of fresh, creative designs -- some of which you will be seeing in upcoming issues of Crochet! magazine.

I was especially excited to talk with several up-and-coming male designers at the conference. I think having more men making their mark in distinctive crochet design makes a great statement for our craft and its future! In the photo below, I'm sitting with Charles Voth, aka The Stitch Stud, discussing his design portfolio. I see a very promising future for this talented designer, as well as other gifted male crochet designers such as Sheldon Lyke and Jerry Rigdon (Jerry is the model wearing the Sierra Nevada Cardigan from Crochet! magazine in the fashion show photo!).

Photo courtesy of Jacque Kurman.

All in all, it was another fantastic Chain Link Conference. Be sure and visit the CGOA and Knit & Crochet Show Web sites to see photos of all the exciting happenings at the Buffalo event!