Countdown: My Top 25 Memorable Moments of the Knit & Crochet Show

Well, I'm back home from another very memorable Crochet & Knit Show (yes, I deliberately changed that order in the title and will campaign in the future to make this the permanent name - knitters beware!) and I've been reflecting on the amazing time in Concord/Charlotte, NC.  My list is far from complete, but I managed to whittle it down to my top 25 moments and/or reasons that I am giving thanks for the conference. My hope is that this will encourage you to consider attending a CGOA Conference in the future. Here they are in ascending order:

25. Being able to just go downstairs and eat a wonderful, hot breakfast which included Krispy Kreme donuts as an option

24. Having a wonderful hotel room that is quiet and comfortable enough to actually sleep

23. Attending Professional Development Day and learning from the best

22. Hearing Jack Bloomenthal (Lion Brand Yarn owner) personally tell me his funny cat story

21. Hands on fun at Red Heart's "Make and Take" table using their new products

Margaret at Red Heart's "Take and Make" table

20. Being able to have my very first book signing 

Dubonet Poncho by Bonnie

19. Finding my Dubonet Poncho on display in the Crochetville/Red Heart booth

18. Winning free yarn

17. Sitting under the instruction of top crochet instructors/designers Jennifer Hanson and Vashti Braha

16. Being south of the Mason Dixon line and enjoying the warm Southern hospitality

Yarn that looks almost yummy enough to eat!

15. Shopping for yarn and finding new fibers in the market place

14. Having the honor of photographing all the models and the beautiful crocheted designs for the fashion show in a room that actually had adequate lighting

13. Lunch with my sweet friend and designer Carlotta Craig

12. Getting to have my chocolate cake (and eat it too!) at the CGOA Dinner & Fashion Show

11. Meeting crochet designer Dora Ohrenstein for the very first time

10. Reconnecting with some of the best crochet designers on the planet

9. Finally getting to meet Sara Meyer (from Annie's) and Terri Geck (from Coats & Clark)

Diane Irving and Becky Barker

8. Visiting with my friend and glass designer Diane Irving and buying some of her marvelous buttons (Diirvine.com)

7. A late night, delicious dinner in a local, family-owned, Mexican restaurant called "Cinco de Mayo"; and an afternoon burger at Five Guys with Becky

Bonnie trys her hand at the pit crew challenge...

6. Visiting the NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum and being able to beat my daughter's time by 2 seconds in the "Pit Crew Challenge"

Margaret Hubert & Bonnie Barker

5. Getting some words of wisdom from Margaret Hubert, CGOA Hall of Fame inductee, and hear her tell the "Clog Blog Story"

4. Meeting new crocheter friends from all over the United States, and a few from Canada

Doris Chan and Becky Barker and their sonic screwdrivers...

3. Hanging out with Doris Chan and finding out we share the same love for all things Sci-Fi, including "Doctor Who"

2. Receiving some timely, encouraging words from crochet publisher/designer/friend Michele Maks

1. Spending some unforgettable, and often hilarious, quality time with my daughter Becky.

Week 1 of Red Heart's 12 Weeks of Christmas.....Bonnie's Yule Tree Throw!

I know, I know, isn't it kind of early to be thinking about Christmas?  Well, yes and no.  If you are a crocheter the time perfect for starting that special gift, especially if you want to make an afghan!  Why not give this one a try? Written with the intermediate to experienced crocheter in mind, you'll love the cabled texture to cover up with as the fall turns to winter.  Should you ever need instructional support, it is just a click away under videos on this website.  You can download this pattern for free here. 

Bonnie's newest pattern: Lisdoonvarna Shawl

Here in Maryland you can already feel the nip in the air as fall approaches.  I love this time of year!  Why not get ready by making a Lisdoonvarna Shawl?  This is one of my favorite patterns named for one of my favorite places on the West Coast of Ireland: Lisdoonvarna.  Even just saying this word brings out the Irish in me!  Made using Berroco's Vintage DK yarn (wool/acrylic blend), this shawl will look lovely on any shape or size considering the amazing drape of this lovely fiber.  This pattern is now available in Crochet! Magazine at your local newsstand or on-line here.  As always, all the instructional videos you need for the stitches are available on my website for free. Blessings to you!

Best of Show Winner: Congratulations Theresa Morse!

I want to extend a hearty "Congratulations!" to my crochet friend Theresa Morse for her beautiful afghan that brought home the top prize at this year's Montgomery County Agricultural Fair!  Well done Theresa!  What many of you may not know is that Theresa has been serving the crocheters in this county for may years as the crochet chairperson in a heroic way.  Not only has she been a competitor (the judges are outside, certified judges, not volunteers like Theresa), but has been a strong advocate, helping to place crochet projects in the best possible categories for participants to encourage them to do the best.  She even creates special categories when a project doesn't quite fit the existing ones.  She is a blessing to all who encounter her in this craft.  Thanks Theresa!

(If you are interested in crocheting this afghan, you can find the pattern in Bonnie's Aran Afghans leaflet.)

Play it Again Sam (or Susie).....

This morning as I was getting ready for my day here at home (which will include inviting about 10 teens for a government lesson in about an hour), I had a random thought.  How many times have I tried something, failed, and then picked it up years later and found that same thing very doable?  When I was around 8 or 9 years old I tried playing the guitar, and quite frankly didn't really enjoy it like I thought I would.  I was inspired by a friend's playing years later as a senior in high school to give it another try and shazam!  Not only could I play this guitar, I enjoyed it and was actually able to convince some folks that it sounded good too!  What made the difference? Well, several things.  First of all, the guitar I later tried was not a toyish one that cost under $10 like my first one. My fingers were longer, and my ability to control them was also much more refined than when I was only 8 years old. My ears could now distinguish sound enough to properly tune a guitar, and I was now mature enough to spend the time needed to produce a good sound.

So what does all this have to do with crochet??? Just about everything! I have met many people over the years who quickly dismiss trying crochet again (or anything for that matter) simply because they tried it once, usually as a child, and failed. Perhaps they had inferior equipment to start, or maybe their teacher was not patient, or they were not ready to sit still for more than 3 minutes.  I know that some people just aren't meant to crochet, and I totally understand and want to be the first to say, "That's alright! Be free to find what you enjoy and by all means enjoy!" But there are others who may be afraid of failing again, and I certainly get that too. If that is you, I want to encourage you to try it again! With the technology available today there are so many ways to learn things. Being a visual learner myself, I rejoice in being able to learn new skills from watching on-line videos instead of having to sit through a long class of lectures just to learn a simple skill. That's why I've made my crochet videos available for free both on this site and on Youtube. I don't always get something the first time either. I have a particularly hard time with learning new names when meeting people.  I have to work really hard to memorize these. The beautiful thing about videos is that you can watch them over and over and over again until you do get it.  Sure do wish I could do that at meetings and parties when I'm expected to remember all those new names!

Here's one quick story to help encourage you to step out and try something new, or revisit a failed attempt today:  Many years ago when my first daughter turned one, I did what many mommies do and baked her her very first birthday cake. However,because I had put just one or two teaspoons too much water in the icing mix the top layer had slid off of the bottom layer by the morning of her birthday. At that point I knew I had to either hire out for next year's cake, or figure out what went wrong and try again. For her second birthday cake I ordered one from our local grocery store, carefully describing how I wanted it decorated. I wasn't very happy with what I got, even if the layers did stay together on this one. That was the beginning of our family's adventure in learning how to properly bake and decorate cakes. We learned a lot from pictures in books, and a lot more from watching free on-line videos. We made cakes with pigs, some that kind of looked like trains (at least to a 4 year old), a construction site, pick-up truck, and even one with cows dancing disco! Years later we were asked to make a wedding cake for a close friend so we took our first class on making flowers for this cake. All this to say that you can come a long way from very humble beginnings with a little bit of effort and perhaps some stubbornness mixed in! 

Another FREE Pattern: Yule Tree Throw and Matching Pillow

Here's my latest afghan pattern, hopefully just in time so that you can finish it for the upcoming Christmas holidays!  Here's the link.  Warning:  this isn't for beginners, but rather for the intermediate to experienced crocheters.  I promise you I'm not trying to make this hard, but merely trying to give the seasoned crocheter something more fun and rewarding to do.  The cabling becomes routine once you establish the first few rows.  The Yule trees are worked using varying lengths of chains connected only in the front loops.  In the following row you work in the remaining loop behind the trees, using a treble crochet.  The trick is to pay attention to the direction of the cabling once you get comfortable with the stitches.  Should you need help, check out the free instructional videos available on this site under "videos".  As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  I will do all that I can to help you be successful with any of my patterns!

Pedi-Plush Rug by Becky Barker

Looking for a quick & easy, yet beautiful & comfortable rug for that special place in your home or dorm room? Here it is!  Made from Lion Brand's acrylic/wool blend, it will be sure to last, and it is machine washable! I couldn't be happier to add that it is also my daughter's first magazine publication.  Be sure to check it out in the latest edition of Crochet World Magazine available now at your local newsstand.