Celebrating CGOA: Twenty Five Years

Sometimes it takes a while to come down from the near-nirvana from attending a Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) Chain Link conference. This year was no exception! It's been a little over a month since I returned; and I'm now ready to share.

Firstoff,  I was officially named Founder and first President of CGOA in 1994. That came after 2 years of planning and developing the concept of a guild exclusively for crocheters. Twenty-five years later, we long-time members had cause for celebration; and that it was!

From left: Sue Medinaceli, crochet groupie; Claudette Newhall (her sister; Carolyn Calderon, and Sarah Sullivan

One of the highlights of the weekend, especially for newbies, is the opportunity to sit and stitch in the hospitality suite or the lobby of the hotel. While doing so we met new friends and re-united with old ones.

Nancy Nehring and Me

Margaret Hubert, Designer, Teacher, Author and member of the Hall of Fame Committee with me

There was a feeling of celebration in the air all weekend. All members should be so proud of their participation as members, volunteers and officers of the board of directors. In the Market, the conference committee set up a "selfie booth" which gave us a chance to toast to CGOA and make memories with friends old and new.

Thanks to Jennifer Ryan, The hotel was festooned in yarnbombing! Her fabulous committee made sure that almost every inch was covered in crochet!

Sue & Claudette

You, too, can do this at home!

The class I took this year was Tunisian Crochet Lace with Robyn Chachula. I found it very helpful and I gained more confidence to move on with new skills in tunisian.

I had almost, but not quite, more than my comfort zone could handle of speaking to large audiences!
Actually, once I got started it was an honor and so fun to give my presentation at the Excellence in Crochet on Friday night. I focused on the 25 years of crochet conferences and the fun and successes led by seventeen Past Presidents. In closing it was my pleasure to recognize all volunteers, both past and present, who have been an essential part of bringing CGOA from its infancy to what it is today. !

Hall of Fame Award

On Saturday night, It was my pleasure to introduce Nancy Nehring, 2019 CGOA/Jean Leinhauser Crochet Hall of Fame recipient and present her award.

No Discrimination: All ages Welcomed!

Following the ceremony for Nancy,we all sat back to relax and enjoy our famous annual fashion show.

Search for a chapter in your area and think about joining us in 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana!