Danbury Women's Shelter Thanks The HHCC

Goodwill Cheer Delivered!

In May 2010, designer and author Bendy Carter wrote an article for the May 2010 issue of Crochet! magazine about The Elizabeth House, a shelter for battered women in the Danbury, Connecticut, area, and how readers can help The HHCC collect crocheted goodies to donate to them.  Catherine of Massachusetts sent a box absolutely packed with an assortment of items ... from crocheted potholders to coloring books (see image on the right).   Thank you Catherine!!!

Catherine's wonderful crocheted goodies were added to The HHCC's, including two blankets the HHCC members crocheted from the Lands End/ Warm Up America "Feel Good" campaign (see image on the left for the completed afghan from last month's "Block Party"), and 10 of the Fiddler Shawls mentioned in this month's CGOA Chain Link newsletter. 

To complete the donation to the Elizabeth House, 20 sets of hats, mittens & scarves; 3 baby sweater sets, and 6 more blankets were added to the collection.  (To the right is HHCC President Grace, and elf-helper Casey, making the delivery to the Shelter yesterday.)  This was the second time The HHCC has donated to The Elizabeth House since the Chapter formed in 2001.

Further goodwill cheer (see images on left and right) was spread to The Salvation Army of Danbury, where 86 hat, mitten, and scarf sets were donated, along with a baby sweater set, 15 Fiddler Shawls, and an assortment of brand new toys.  The Salvation Army was delighted with the donations; this was the 8th time The HHCC has donated to the Salvation Army since the Chapter formed in 2001.

At the end of the day, these two local organizations benefited from millions of crocheted stitches by The HHCC members, and by the generosity of people like Catherine.  Thank you to all those who helped make these wonderful donations possible!

Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. - Hamilton Wright Mabie

HHCC'ers "Feel Good" at November 'Block Party'

At the November monthly meeting yesterday, HHCC'ers gathered, armed with crochet hooks & knitting needles and generous hearts, to create squares for the Lands End "Feel Good"/ Warm Up America campaign.

The yarn, with characteristics similar to Lion Brands' Microspun yarn, was donated by Lands End; the HHCC received three cones which were wound into "cakes" and placed on each table.

Some members, like Nancy, had requested an individual cone; she worked up this pretty pumpkin-colored lapghan (pictured on right) at home, leaving the ends to be woven in at the meeting.  It turned out so pretty that members requested she write up the pattern!
(Nancy will let us know if she does.)

 Within a short amount of time there were enough squares to start the assembly of a lapghan.  Dee was in charge of the assembly and decided the best approach was to use the "single crochet, chain one, single crochet, chain one" approach.  "This joining technique is not only fast," she said, "but also allows for some breathing room when squares are not exactly the same size."  Ruth replied, "Oh, I just love this joining technique for the same reasons Dee does, plus it looks so pretty!"

How to crochet squares together:
Step 1: Lay out your squares the way you want them to appear.

Step 2: Take a square from Row 1, and a square from Row 2, and place back to back, right sides facing out.

Step 3: Join yarn to first square, create a single crochet, chain one, single crochet into the second square, chain one.

Step 4: Repeat the process, alternating from square to square across to the corner, ending with a chain one.

Step 5: Grab two more squares and continue stitching until all squares for Row 1 and Row 2 are connected together.  End of.

Step 6: Follow instructions from Step 2 - Step 5 until all rows are connected.
Step 7: Turn the afghan, and begin connecting rows in other direction in the same fashion.

For Show & Tell, Margaret brought in a variety of children sweaters & scarves she created from her crochet and knit swatches.  "See, good can come from swatching!" chuckled Margaret.  Everyone Ohh'd and Ahh'd over her creative stitch work.

HHCC member Elaine took advantage of getting some computer help from our "resident expert," Dee Jr.  Elaine is new to working with computers; she learned how to create documents, save them, and email them.  "I love computers," said Dee Jr, "and it was fun to help Elaine."  Elaine stated about her lessons, "He's really good! He knows his computers!  Now I can type up my patterns, save them, and email them off!"

Members also turned in their crocheted and knitted goodies that will be donated next month.  Their generosity overflowed to a luggage cart!  There is no doubt that at this monthly meeting HHCC's "Feel Good" about helping our local community!  :)

These items will be donated the first week of December -- watch for our blog post with the details!

HHCC Celebrates Ninth Anniversary

HHCC Founders: Clockwise:
Kay, Hilda, Ruth & Dee.


10-10-10, as in October 10, 2010, was a very special date indeed: it was the celebration of the HHCC's Ninth Anniversary!

In 2001 five ladies, who loved to crochet, decided they wanted to start a crochet club in the Danbury area; Dee was asked to "...look into it."  Dee found the CGOA, became a member and learned about how to start a Chapter.  Shortly thereafter Ruth Arbitelle (deceased), Hilda Nichols, Kay Perna, Dee Stanziano and Ruth Young made it official: The Happily Hooked on Crocheting Club, Connecticut Chapter of the Crochet Guild of America, was started!  ... and the fun hasn't stopped!

Members gathered Sunday at the Courtyard by Marriot in Danbury to celebrate, bringing many different delicious entrees and desserts such as Casey's Cucumber Salad:

1 package of Persian Cucumbers (6-8 in a package)
2 large seedless Cucumbers
1 large sweet onion
Himalayan Pink Salt, ground
Fresh Black Peppercorns, ground
Rice Vinegar
Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Peal and thinly slice cucumbers and onion. Place in large bowl. Add pink salt, peppercorn, rice vinegar and olive oil to taste.
Allow to marinate for at least 1 - 3 hours; stirring gently on occasion. Enjoy!



Crista listens to members color choices.

Crista Grasso and Jeremy Pollack received a warm welcome as the HHCC's Special Guests

Crista kicked off the Anniversary meeting by teaching members how to create unique jewelry stitch markers for crochet and knit projects, as well as beautiful beaded pins, great for wearing with shawls and wraps!  Crista also had on display a large variety of beautiful earrings, bracelets and necklaces from her Collection.



Jeremy autographing his book
for Candy

Jeremy did a fantastic presentation on "Product Photography," discussing how photography is really the art of collecting light.  He provided a live demonstration of how a light effects a photograph and provided tips on how to get richer looking texture for crochet (& knit) pieces.  Afterwards the members were invited to try the techniques. 

Crista helps a member w/wire
bending while Andrea and Anna work. 

HHCC's President, Grace, said, "I think everyone had a fantastic time; I know I did! Jeremy and Crista did great job, and I got Jeremy to autograph my book!"  Grace also purchased one of Jeremy's prints of a sunflower as a birthday for her daughter.  "Oh!  She absolutely loved it!" Grace exclaimed when asked.

Anna said, "I had a great time and the guest speakers were great. I love my pin and my earrings. They are beautiful. I look forward to many more meetings with such a great group."

HHCCers celebrating Ninth Anniversary as CGOA Chapter.

 Irene Tweeted: "Jeremy & Crista did great presentations for  The HHCC 2day! You guys rock!"
Along with the Guest Speakers and yummy food, there was also cake and a drawing for prizes.



The HHCC: On the Move Again (Re: New Meeting Location)

Back in July the HHCC announced that The Hampton Inn would be our new home.  As with all nine-year-olds, growth spurts happen.  This means that The HHCC is now calling the Courtyard Marriott of Danbury our new temporary home for the months of OCTOBER, NOVEMBER & DECEMBER 2010. 

Courtyard® by Marriott®

3 Eagle Road

Danbury, Connecticut

Please note meeting time change: 
The HHCC Monthly meetings will run from 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM


Directions:

• From I-84 East to Exit 8 - Turn right onto Newtown Road, turn right onto Eagle Road.
• From 84 West to Exit 8 - Merge onto US 6W, turn slight left onto Newtown Road. Turn right onto Eagle road.

Parking is free.

 (Note: image of Courtyard® by Marriott® used with permission.)

HHCC Plans to Celebrate Ninth Anniversary!

The month of October marks the HHCC's Ninth Anniversary. For the October meeting, open only to current members, The HHCC is pleased to welcome two guests:

Crista Grasso studied art in college at both The University of Connecticut and Massachusetts College of Art in Boston. Art has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember, and with the urging of family and friends, she created her AmberTortoise Creations business in 2005, featuring her unique hand-made jewelry.

Crista draws inspiration from the world around her, primarily from the beautiful and sometimes surprising color combinations and textures in mother nature. Crista says, "Jewelry says so much about a person! It reflects your personality, your mood, your interests... It can say I am bold and adventurous, I am a little quiet and reserved, I am a happy person who loves life, or maybe that you are all of those things~ I know I am!"

Crista will be teaching The HHCC members how to make unique jewelry stitch markers for their crochet and knit projects.

HHCC Members will need to visit this webpage and pre-order their bead kits: http://ambertortoisecreations.com/crochet_club_October_10th

Jeremy Pollack, co-author of Photographing New York City Digital Field Guide (Digital Field Guides),  is a Connecticut-based photographer with a wide range of interests. Growing up in the woods, his first love has always been nature photography which he started shooting with his father's Canon FT QL. As his passion grew over the years, so did the breadth of his interests. Today he shoots commercial and fine art photography, selling prints at art shows and online.

Jeremy will be offering Club Members instruction on how to create their own homemade Light Boxes for taking better pictures of their crocheted, and knitted, projects.  Jeremy will include discussion on why the biggest enemy is a flash right in the line of the camera, provide hands-on interaction, and a demonstration of importing, sorting, uploading -- and more!  Jeremy will be happy to autograph his book for HHCC members who bring it to the Anniversary Meeting.

HHCC Members will need to visit this webpage for their Light Box materials list: http://www.studiolighting.net/homemade-light-box-for-product-photography/

HHCC'ers "Feel Good" at CBS Early Show

HHCC'ers helping to promote crochet
on the CBS Early Show

 Beating the sunrise, HHCC members Candy, Dee, Grace, Irene, Jennifer, and Zip met up early in the moring yesterday  -- in New York City --to help Brett Bara kick off the "Feel Good" Campaign on the CBS Early Show. 

Brett Bara, host of the PBS program, Knit and Crochet Now!, teamed up with Lands End, who is donating 5,000 pounds of yarn to the Warm Up America organization.  They are aiming to get enough crocheters and knitters to create some 64,000 6"x9" squares that will later be assembled into afghans and donated to people in need.

HHCC'er Zip feeds Dave Price, CBS Weatherman, yarn
with NYCCG members cheering him on.

The HHCC was joined by another CGOA Chapter: the New York City Crochet Guild, also celebrating their ninth anniversary this year!
   

 In the picture to the right is Zip, wearing her Ribbon Winning Vest, feeding yarn to the afghan she was working on when CBS Weatherman Dave Price borrowed it for a weather update.  To the left of Dave are NYCCG members.

At the event yesterday, Lands End gave those participating a scarf; and presented totes and fingerless gloves to those who completed scarves early during the taping.  At the end of the two-hour show, Brett Bara exlaimed how happy she was with the progress and asked everyone to help promote this worthy cause.  The HHCC, will continue on with this worthy cause by having a "Block Party," at our November meeting.



Crochet is Forecasted to be
 Hot! Hot! Hot!



After the CBS Early Show taping, everyone was invited for a tour of the studio, of which HHCC'er Irene wasted no time to forecast that crochet will continue to be hot, hot, hot!

For more details, pictures and such about this event, please check out the following links:

• CrochetingWithDee.com
• AP Images
• Yahoo News (in image see the NYCCG in background w/Brett Bara)
• My Journey With Yarn and Beyond

Brett Bara appears on Connecticut News Station WTNH/Channel 8.  Square crocheted by Dee recognized in segment!  Click Here to watch the video clip: http://www.wtnh.com/dpp/ct_style/community/wake-up-america.

HHCC'er Wins Ribbon @ Orange County Fair

The HHCC would like to congratulate its newest member Zipporah on winning a Red Ribbon at the Orange County Fair!

Zipporah, a high schooler, not only designed her entry, but she also hand-spun the yarn for it!
       Congratulations Zip!

HHCC'ers Win at The Big E

Elaine Wins Blue Ribbon
& Sponsor Award

On Wednesday, September 22, HHCC members were just some of the 70,106 attendees at the Big E Fair.  The weather in the morning was seasonably cool; in the afternoon everyone would be baking in near 90 degree heat.  In attendance on this first day of fall:  Candy, Casey (aka Mini~Dee), Celeste, Chava, Dee, Dee Jr., Diane, Elaine, Fluffy, Grace, Hilda, Irene and Ruth. 

HHCC Booth

Upon setting up the booth, Casey, Dee, Elaine and Ruth learned how their crochet entries fared: they all won Ribbons ranging from Best in Division, Junior to Honorable Mention. Dee and Elaine also won the Sponsor Awards. The Connecticut Fifers marched in, representing 17 marching bands, kicking off the official start to Connecticut Day. 

The HHCC members enjoyed meeting a lot of people interested in crochet.  Many leaflets and crochet patterns were handed out.  This was the eighth year the HHCC has volunteered to demonstrate & promote crochet at The Big E.

In the afternoon, The Connecticut Line Dancers came to The HHCC's aid by volunteering to model for The HHCC's first-ever Fashion Show.  Even though it was 90 degrees, not including the humidity, they were great troopers swirling & twirling the crocheted Shawl Collection on the stage while HHCC President Grace emceed.  The majority of the shawls featured in the show were crocheted earlier this year for a production of Fiddler on the Roof.  The shawls will be donated, with other items, to the Elizabeth House, a battered women's shelter located in Danbury, Connecticut, in early December.

The HHCC & The CT Line Dancers team up for Crochet Fashion Show featuring shawls.



After the Fashion Show the Connecticut Line Dancers were up, showing all how much fun dancing can be.  They called HHCC'ers Dee & Grace up to the stage to learn how ... Fluffy, who is also a member of the CT Line Dancers, said to Grace, "I have a video of you and Dee keeping in step with us. It was a lot of fun, and look forward to teaching you more steps!!"

Everyone had a great time!

The HHCC would like to extend a huge Thank You to the Connecticut Line Dancers, and to all the other volunteers in the New England State building!

The FeelGood program/ HHCC Block Party

Lands’ End has teamed up with Warm Up America!, and with Crochet Today editor Brett Bara as their spokesperson, on an exciting project to help warm up families in need this winter. The Crochet Guild of America's member guilds have been invited to join in the fun. Lands’ End is donating 5000 pounds of their soft FeelGood yarn so that 64,000 blanket squares by a combination of groups can be knitted and crocheted. The goal is 2000 blankets by mid-December!!

-- AND THE HHCC WILL BE A PARTICIPATING CGOA CHAPTER!! --

The HHCC will be having a "Block Party" at our November 14th meeting. We will need volunteers to crochet or knit 6" x 9" (or 9" x 6") squares with the 153 pounds of yarn from Lands End, as well as volunteers to assemble them into afghans!

The afghans will be donated to the Elizabeth House of Danbury, a shelter for battered women & their children.

The HHCC will also be helping Brett kick off this event by joining her at the CBS Early Show on Wednesday, September 29th. Watch for HHCC members in the crowd as Brett interviews with the show's host about the FeelGood program.

Touching 1854

At "Coffee, Crochet & Chat" today, HHCC President, Grace, brought in one of her latest treasures: a crochet hook from 1854!

The hook traveled from Dereham, Norfolk, United Kingdom. The handle is carved of bone, and unscrews at the bottom to store the extra crochet hook heads. The tip of the hook also unscrews, so that the desired hook size can be inserted & secured.

What makes this crochet hook intriguing is the stamping in the bronze body. It reads: I THOMPSON REGD AUG t 10 1854


Even more interesting, it is entirely possible the brass body could have been made in Waterbury, Connecticut, well known as the Brass City of the World!

What do we know about England and 1854? We know Queen Victoria was crocheting scarves to award to servicemen during what is known as the South African War. In fact, she awarded a total of eight crocheted scarves, one of which can be seen here, pictured on The Queen's Royal Surrey Regiment website.

Also happening in 1854, The Ladies Complete Guide to Crochet & Fancy Knitting was printed.

"With a crotchet-needle in the hand, we join more pleasantly in conversation; the little implement fills up all embarrassing pauses. Its use gives feminine and domestic air, which men may smile at but cannot condemn. Under all circumstances, it is better than counting beads like the modern Greeks, or flirting with fans like the Spanish belles -- or flirting without fans, as sometimes happens to ladies of all nations."

Want to read more from the Ladies Complete Guide? Click here to read the 2005 article featured in Talking Crochet.

"Coffee, Crochet & Chat." Sometimes it is history too.

HHCC September 2010 Meeting

The HHCC would like to welcome Cathy and Zipporah as our newest members!

What a great turn out -- in fact, the HHCC is currently working with the hotel to see if an even larger meeting room is available!!! (Details to be announced.)

At the Sepember meeting HHCC'ers started turning in scarves for the 60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge, each receiving a collector's pin from Dee. Dee has 3 pins left. The scarves will be added to crocheted hats, mittens or gloves, in the coming months. In early December they will be donated to the Salvation Army located in Danbury; helping children and their family members stay warm during the cold winter months.

Earlier this year HHCC members came to Dee's aid in helping to crochet 30 shawls for a school production of Fiddler on the Roof. The DVD of that play was aired at the meeting, letting all the members see how their shawls made the show! (Note: The shawls will be featured in a Fashion Show at The Big E on Wednesday, September 22nd, in the New England State Building from 3PM to 4PM. Afterwards they will be donated to a charity in need.) Everyone enjoyed seeing the shawls in action!

Show'n Tell is always fun. Ann showed off a motif afghan that is currently on her hook; new member Zip showed the vest she's working on (and that she hand-spun the yarn for!), and Diane showed a shawl she knitted that "magically striped up." Dee brought a rare "Chester" brand Tunisian crochet hook to the meeting and presented it as a gift to HHCC President, Grace. Grace was thrilled! (see hook in top picture)

What is next for the HHCC? Stay tuned!

HHCC'ers Prepare for The Big E

On Saturday, HHCC'ers Diane, Elaine, Grace, Dee and Ruth, traveled up to West Springfield, MA, to enter various crochet works into the Eastern States Exposition. Sarah, the coordinator of the needlecraft competition, remarked that this year they are seeing a big increase in the number of entries, and they are absolutely thrilled!

For the return trip home our HHCC'ers enjoyed a "Yarn Shop Crawl," visiting WEBs (including their bead shop), Northampton Wools, and Creative Fibers. They also stopped at Sylvesters for a fantastic (and very filling!) lunch. Elaine and Grace were thrilled to find crochet & knit books that were on their lists; Diane and Ruth loaded up on yarn; and Dee finally got her professional blocking board. Very happy shoppers indeed!

HHCC members will be returning to The Big E on Wednesday, September 22, well known as CONNECTICUT DAY, to promote & teach the art of crochet in the New England State Building. This will be the Club's EIGHTH year participating -- and this year will also include a Fashion Show featuring CROCHETED SHAWLS from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM!!!!

Hope to see you there!

"Most Expensive Ball of Yarn!"

Every month the HHCC invites the public to join our members for "Coffee, Crochet, and Chat" held at the Borders bookstore located in Brookfield, Connecticut.

Members who attend always have a good time catching up with each other, and having a little "show & tell" of projects they are currently working on, or have recently completed.

Today was all about the yarn. A single ball of yarn!

Grace decided to bring in yarn she was winding into a ball, only it was a huge tangled mess! Several hands, including Margaret's and Dee's, jumped into action helping Grace reclaim -- or rather, retame --her yarn. There were several giggles, and great conversation about designing for crochet, finding great crochet books, and gee, is that ball of yarn still tangled?!

In the end, Grace eventually got her yarn wound into a ball, stating:

"Taking onto consideration the original cost of the yarn, all the time it took to untangle, (people too) and ball up, this has to be the most expensive hunk of yarn I have ever bought!"

Tangle & all, everyone had a good time!

HHCC'ers Win Ribbons at Bridgewater Fair

This past weekend Grace, Dee, and Ruth, along with Jr. HHCC member, Casey (age 13), all competed in the Crochet Division at the 59th annual Bridgewater Fair -- and they all took home Ribbons!

HHCC President Grace entered her beautiful Laura Ingalls Wilder doily, and won a BLUE Ribbon. [HHCC'er Anna reports to check out the September/October issue of Piecework magazine for an article on Laura Ingalls Wilder's daughter, Rose Wilder Lane!]

Dee entered her Doris Chan Ling Collar, crocheted with yarn hand-dyed by HHCC'er Jennifer; and entered her "Pushmi~Pullyu" giraffe inspired purse. Both won BLUE Ribbons. She entered her "Pushmi~Pullyu" boy's vest; it won a RED Ribbon. Lastly she entered a scarf crocheted with the Amazing Needle that makes true knit stiches; it won a YELLOW Ribbon.

Ruth entered two items. She entered a granny square baby blanket started by another HHCC member, but completed by her. It won a WHITE Ribbon. Her thread doily won a RED Ribbbon.

Casey also entered two items. She entered a "Fiddler" Shawl used by her class for a school production of Fiddler on the Roof. She also entered a plastic bracelet, crocheted with Jelly Yarn! Both items won BLUE Ribbons.

CONGRATULATIONS HHCC'ers!!

crusader for crochet steps into the video world

Full of fun & puns, Gwen Blakley Kinsler, founder of the Crochet Guild of America, and well known as the CrochetKween, got some crocheters together, including some HHCC members, at the recent CGOA Conference, to make this great "Crochet Anonymous" video:

"Enough is enough. It is time for crocheters to get a sense of humor, stand up proud and defend ourselves from the likes of the wooly bullies!" ~Gwen Blakley Kinsler

You can read about Gwen's inspiration behind the video at her blog here: http://crochetqueen-royalramblings.blogspot.com/2010/08/crochet-compartment-of-my-brain.html

You can find Gwen's Crochet books/patterns on Amazon here.

Book Review: Kids Learn to Crochet

HHCC Book Review

Title: Kids Learn to Crochet
Author: Lucinda Guy & François Hall
Year Published: 2008

Rating: 7 out of 10 balls of yarn


Kids Learn to Crochet is a how-to book aimed at children from ages 6 to 9. It boasts the same style of photography/illustration as Guy and Hall's other works. The how-to illustrations are large and clear, with arrows showing the direction of movement. Photographs are used along the way, to clearly show what finished pieces of crochet should look like. It's the type of book that child and parent could both learn from together.

Charts and diagrams are used throughout the book to illustrate everything from color changes to where to place increases when working in the round. Although the style of charting and diagrams might not be considered "standard" in US crochet patterns, the explanations of how the charts work are clear, and they provide a great reference for visual learners.

The book teaches a slip knot, chain, single crochet, changing colors at the end of rows, single crochet increase, single crochet decrease, double crochet, and how to single crochet in continuous rounds. It does not cover half-double crochet, crocheting in rounds joined with a slip stitch, or decreases or increases using double crochet. It seams odd to leave these introductory topics out of a learn-to-crochet book, but the book already weighs in at 96 pages as it is.

Review by Lindsey Stephens of http://www.poetryinyarn.com/, HHCC Member

This book was provided to the HHCC by the Trafalgar Square Books publishing company. Members of the HHCC may borrow this book from the HHCC's Crochet Library.

Special Promotion: Crochet Today! magazine

HHCC members love Crochet Today! magazine, and often discuss it at the "Crochet, Coffee, & Crochet" chats held at Borders bookstore located in Brookfield, CT.

Imagine their delight to find they could save nearly $72 off the cover price by getting a 2-year subscription for just $17.97!!!

(this post was edited; $5.00 coupon code removed as it stopped working.)

Book Review: Crochet Designs for Kids: 20 Projects to make for girls & boys

HHCC Book Review

Title: Crochet Designs for Kids: 20 Projects to make for girls & boys
Author: Lucinda Guy
Year Published: 2008

Rating: 8 out of 10 balls of yarn

The first thing that will grab you about this book is the illustrations. Well, they aren't really illustrations, they are combination photo and illustration rolled into one. The real life garments are modeled by cartoon drawings. The style of the photo/illustrations created by François Hall is what makes Lucinda Guy's books instantly recognizable from across the bookstore. I think it's a great, innovative way of displaying children's items.

The whimsical designs are separated by season, with 5 patterns each for Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. There are 9 garments, 4 accessories, 2 bags, 3 stuffed toys, and 2 blankets. Of the 9 garments, 2 are for boys and 7 are for girls, although I think some of them could really work for either gender. The size range for the garments is slightly narrow (ages 2-3, 3-4, 4-5), and I wish Guy had included a wider range. The garments are made in thinner yarns and avoid any unnecessary bulk.

The patterns in this book should be accessible to almost all levels of crocheters. All of the patterns call for simple stitches or stitch patterns (mostly single and double crochet). In fact, it's quite impressive to see how much cuteness can be created with a narrow repertoire of stitches. Lucinda Guy makes frequent use of crocheted appliques, embroidery detailing, and buttons, so be prepared for some sewing. (You could leave off these details, but it would really be a shame to).

Overall, this is a great book for anyone who wants to crochet for children in the 2 to 5 year age range. The designs are cute, and the patterns should work well for even beginning level crocheters.

Review by Lindsey Stephens of http://www.poetryinyarn.com/, HHCC Member

This book was provided to the HHCC by the Trafalgar Square Books publishing company. Members of the HHCC may borrow this book from the HHCC's Crochet Library.

HHCC August Meeting

HHCC'ers gathered at the Hampton Inn for a casual meeting this month. Some of the topics discussed:

• What is the difference between the Craft Yarn Council of America's Teacher Certification Course and the Crochet Guild of America's Masters Course?
  


• Is there interest to bring the Craft Yarn Council of America's Teacher Certification Course to Danbury?
  


• Oh, a field trip!
  Mark your calendars!
  Meet-up at Exit 2 off I-84 to carpool at 11:00 AM. Goal is to be at yarn Central in Hopewell Junction, NY by noon. After yarn shopping members will then travel to Montgomery, NY, to visit the historic Montgomery Mill.
  


• The HHCC will be participating in Dee's 60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge. Details can be found on Ravelry. HHCC'ers who participate will receive a 2010 Collector's Pin from Dee. Scarves will be donated to the Danbury Salvation Army in December complete with hats, gloves or mittens. ((HHCC members must RSVP to Dee to ensure they get a pin.))
  


• Show & Tell ... it is always fun to see what is on & off HHCC'ers crochet hooks!