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Crocheting Christmas

Monday, December 23, 2013
There is nothing like a holiday party filled with crocheters and their stash of creations that become gifts to their fellow stitchers! This year I belong to two chapters: my go-to Northern IL Chapter and my new neighborhood chapter: Chicago Crochet Connections, so it was twice the fun!

On December 8th in Chicago: 4 of us "connected" at the CCC chapter. It was a horrible Sunday afternoon, snowing and slushy so the group was small. Crocheters are not ones to let a little weather keep them away; so maybe it was the ticking of time and fewer shopping days this year!
Chicago Crochet Connection

On December 14 in Rolling Meadows: We always have a beautiful spread of each member's best treats. Whoever wants to bring a crocheted gift joins in on our very exuberant "exchange a gift and steal" tradition. This year I got a lovely cup and saucer with "hot chocolate on a stick." It was from Anthropologie, which I love, and was embossed with a crochet-like design. Real pretty!

Northern IL Chapter Holiday Buffet
 We have three unique members, Jeanne, Janel and Juliana. They are mother and daughter crocheters. Their uniqueness comes from the fact that Jeanne's daughters have been coming to our chapter meetings since before they were sixteen. Our bylaws stipulate that members must be 16 to join. They came and learned and as soon as they were 16 became official members.

Now, Janel is in college and Juliana is almost finished with her advanced schooling to become a pharmacist! Throughout their high school studies and activities, both girls faithfully came to our meetings  as often as they could. Now they are both very accomplished crocheters having learned not only from Jeanne but from all of our members. Juliana loves filet crochet and Janel is the Queen of Cowls! (She wears one everyday! She is also becoming quite the expert knitter. I am proud to have all three as members of our chapter!

From left: Janel, Jeanne, Juliana
Another Mother/Daughter Crochet Team: Lester Vaughn and Nancy Brown:
Lester Vaughn (1926-2013), the mother of Nancy Brown, former President of cGOA, died on December 21, 2013.

Here is an article I wrote about Lester in 2001 for the Chain Link Newsletter of CGO (Dec/Jan 2002). She was the sweetest person ever, a dear friend to all crocheters who met her at CGOA conferences and a crocheter extraordinaire! She  will be sorely missed! My heartfelt condolences go out to my friend, Nancy and her husband Marco.

Lester Vaughn article, 2001
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