Today is I Hook Designs day on the Crochetville National Crochet Month Designer Blog Tour.  I am so thrilled to be part of this tour, Donna and Amy do wonderful things at Crochetville to share our craft.  Please take some time to check all their social media sites including Crochetville.com,Crochetville FB page and group, http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/crochetville-community/patterns, Crochetville Ravelry community,Crochetville blog…

This year the charity of choice is Halos of Hope. A charity that collects knit and crocheted hats for cancer patients of all ages and ships them around the country wherever there is a need.  Visit them at Halos of Hope and consider sending some items.

I want to share my experiences with The Crochet Guild of America, Knit and Crochet Shows and other trade shows I’ve attended.

The Crochet Guild of America (CGoA) is a wonderful organization that brings together crocheters from all over, by offering a Master Class for crochet, a mentoring program for those seeking to work towards becoming a professional, great links to teach crochet and a community of like minded people to share with.  Some of the benefits of joining CGoA are that you receive a subscription to Crochet! magazine,

the official magazine of CGoA, discounts with national retailers and discounts when attending the Knit and Crochet Shows and CGoA conferences.  I took advantage of the mentoring program and had the talented Margaret Hubert as my mentor, you may have one of her many books in your own library.  It was a great experience to have someone to email and ask “the stupid” questions and get support from a pro.  I also love that CGoA has a buddy program for first timers to the Knit and Crochet Show CGoA conference so that newbies don’t have to figure everything out on their own, this is totally an option for you when attending.

Attending these trade shows if soooo much fun. There are pj parties (Stitches events), Get your Geek on to talk the geek language of crochet, Master Class, Professional Think Tanks and of course great classes for all levels.  There is a Fashion Show and Dinner, informal get togethers and a Design Competition of which this year I am one of the many volunteers for.

I can’t say enough how much fun it is to visit, network and learn with the people that sustain our craft.  I have made many new friends from all over the country and look forward to seeing them each time.

Take a look at the CGoA site and consider joining, you do not have to be a member to attend the Knit and Crochet Show but if you are a member you get discounts and early registration.
                       Click here to check out CGoA

I am happy to have two giveaways for the Crochetville National Crochet Month Designer Blog Tour.  Follow instructions below to enter to win one signed copy of Elegant Fashionable Chic Accessories to Crochet or Formal Jewelry, my latest books.  They are also available Here through Amazon

                 a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I also encourage everyone to check Crochetville’s blog and catch up with the designers you’ve missed and see who’s new each day.  Don’t forget about the daily Red Heart Giveaway…….. 
Hope to hear from you. 
Karen McKenna