kiba the diva

National Crochet Month

MEDIA RELEASE – For Immediate release

GET HOOKED – MARCH IS NATIONAL CROCHET MONTH
March 1-31, 2008

Get hooked and celebrate National Crochet Month in March with the Crochet
Guild of America (CGOA). Local CGOA guilds, across the nation and worldwide,
will be participating in all sorts of community activities such as crochet
nights out at local yarn and craft stores, community afghan making, crochet baby
items for premature babies, fashion shows and more to share their love of
crochet with the world. Crocheting has grown in popularity and become a
favorite pastime for all ages in the past few years. Fashion magazines, craft
industry magazines and book publishers all recognize crochet as a popular craft
trend, and everything from sweaters, scarves and hats to accessories and dresses
have been starring on the fashion runways of New York and Milan.

How should you celebrate National Crochet Month? “Teach someone to crochet
in March,” suggests Rita Weiss, President of the CGOA. “It is essential that
we pass on the skill of crochet. What better way to empower a child or an
adult than by giving them a crochet hook and ball of yarn. The skill of crochet
will spark their imagination and bring lifelong enjoyment.”

Go to _www.crochet.org_ (http://www.crochet.org/) for information about the
national guild as well as local guilds worldwide, then join us! Be sure to
keep your membership current – must-have benefits include manufacturer
discounts, top-notch education, opportunities for professional development you won’t
find anywhere else, and a subscription to CROCHET! magazine.
The Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) is a not-for-profit organization
dedicated to preserving and advancing the art of crochet. It was founded in August
1994 by Gwen Blakley Kinsler and continues to uphold its main purpose, which
is to educate the public about crochet, provide education and networking
opportunities, and set a national standard for the quality, art and skill of
crochet through creative endeavors.
Other ways to celebrate National Crochet Month:

Crochet something for charity.
CGOA’s Web site lists 78 different charities to choose from. Whether it’s
hats, blankets, mittens or squares, you can make a difference. To see the list,
visit _http://www.crochet.org/cgi-bin/charitybyname.pl_
(http://www.crochet.org/cgi-bin/charitybyname.pl) .
Teach someone to crochet.
What better way to share your love of crochet! Have you thought about
teaching a child to crochet but didn’t know where to start? CGOA’s website has some
wonderful materials designed by the Craft Yarn Council of America to help
you.Visit _http://www.crochet.org/teach/toc.html_
(http://www.crochet.org/teach/toc.html) .
You can also find lessons for teaching both left and right handed persons to
crochet at _http://www.crochet.org/lessons/lessonl/lessonl.html_
(http://www.crochet.org/lessons/lessonl/lessonl.html) and
_http://www.crochet.org/lessons/lessonr/lessonr.html_
(http://www.crochet.org/lessons/lessonr/lessonr.html) .

If you’re really serious about learning to teach others to crochet, why not
consider the Craft Yarn Council of America’s Certified Instructors Program.
This strengthens your crochet techniques, tutors you in the mechanics of
teaching, and provides helpful information on how to set up and promote classes.
And you learn from leading knitting and crochet teachers! Visit their site
_http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/teach.html_
(http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/teach.html) .
Join or start a Chapter.
Local chapters provide an opportunity for crocheters to get together with
others in their area who share their love of crochet. Chapter meetings are an
opportunity for showing works in progress, for sharing information about local
yarn and supply sources, for workshops devoted to the mastery of new
techniques. For more information visit _http://www.crochet.org/chapter.html_
(http://www.crochet.org/chapter.html) .

Prepare an exhibit.
Form a group of fellow crocheters and plan an exhibit of crochet items at
your local library.

Learn a new stitch or technique.
Try something new! Participate in our Message Board “Stitch of the Week”.
Find great information on stitches and techniques at
_http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa052398.htm_
(http://crochet.about.com/library/weekly/aa052398.htm) and _http://members.aol.com/crochetwithdee/typesof.html_
(http://members.aol.com/crochetwithdee/typesof.html) .

Consider taking one of CGOA’s correspondence courses, designed to teach a
specific technique or project. Courses are written by teachers with a wide
variety of interests and skills and are similar to conference courses in scope.
Coursework that is completed by the course deadline (about three months for
short courses) receives a critique from the teacher and a certificate of
completion.
_Basic Overlay Crochet _ (http://www.crochet.org/courses/overlay.html)
_Increasing and Decreasing Tote _
(http://www.crochet.org/courses/incdec.html)
_Tapestry Crochet Bag _ (http://www.crochet.org/courses/tapestry.html)
_Victorian Crocheted Button/Brooch _
(http://www.crochet.org/courses/button.html)
_Masters Programs: Masters in Basic Stitches & Masters in Thread _
(http://www.crochet.org/courses/masters.html)
For more information visit _http://www.crochet.org/courses/index.html_
(http://www.crochet.org/courses/index.html) .

Wear your crochet creations!
What better way is there to celebrate than by wearing your crochet creations
in public! You’re sure to get many Oooh’s and Ahhh’s from admirers, and
perhaps many requests to teach others.

Create an entry for CGOA’s Design Contest.
The contest is open only to CGOA members, and entries must be original
designs. Contest rules are simple this inaugural year, written instructions aren’t
necessary, so why not create something spectacular! For more information
visit _http://www.crochet.org/DesignContest_
(http://www.crochet.org/DesignContest) . Email questions to: _DesignContest@crochet.org_
(mailto:DesignContest@crochet.org) .
Whatever method you choose for celebrating National Crochet Month, we hope
you have fun!