Chain Link 2005

The New York City Crochet Guild was very present at the CGOA Chain Link 2005 in Oakland, California. Some of our group arrived on Sunday to allow time to sightsee. Alcatraz, wine country, Fisherman’s Wharf and of course, the famous cable cars were all on our lists. It was cold and we were in sweaters, jackets and ponchos everyday that week. Warm weather did not hit us until Saturday. I know you guys were sweltering here.

A number of us attended Professional Development Day for the first time and were truly inspired by the creativity of Darla Fanton, Noreen Crone-Findlay, Jean Leinhauser, Ruth Weiss, Lily Chin, Pauline Turner, Prudence Mapstone and others. We were given technical advice in a variety of topics, from writing patterns and publicity to teaching and more.

In addition to Chain Link, LACIS was holding classes for freeform and had a free form exhibit. Our Janet Wilson had a purse in the exhibit and Barbara Hillery taught classes. If you are interested in any fiber art, millinery, weaving, sewing, and of course knit and crochet, LACIS is the place to go. They have a website, but nothing does justice to the real thing. You can spend a day in the book section alone. I picked up a vintage Harmony Crochet book and you will be learning stitches from it. I purchased a catalog, which I am donating to our resource library. It doesn’t have pictures and there is no listing of yarns, but you will get a sense of their offerings.

I cannot overlook the Fiber Arts Market. This is the vendors’ market with merchants from across the country. It is as big, or even bigger than Stitches East. There were all types of yarn, hooks, needles, novelties and items related to knit and crochet. This is the place to get high-end yarns. I always wait until Sunday, the last day, to make major purchases of yarn because this is when many of the merchants put items on sale because they don’t want to schlep all of it home again.

The high point of all Chain Link conventions is the Saturday Night Banquet Fashion Show. This event is inspirational and once one goes to the Chain Link they are hooked and want to return each year. On Sunday, I shared the airport shuttle with a crocheter from New Jersey, who was attending her first convention and was so excited. She says she will not miss another one if at all possible.

NYCCG members had items in the fashion show and they did you all proud. Chain Link 2006 is to be held in Valley Forge, PA, about 2 hours from NYC. Public transportation is available to the convention center. Set the time aside now, you will be inspired by the experience.