CT Sheep and Wool-April 28, 2012

A Trip Report by Diane G.
Photos by Alex Iannelli
(report & photos posted here with permission)

HHCC'ers at the 103rd CT Sheep & Wool Festival.

It was a cold start to the day, and little did we realize that it would continue to be “brisk” for the duration of the event.  Upon arrival on a bright sunny but cold morning Nancy, Ruth and I unloaded the many packages and containers of display items and handouts.

We brought our sign and the starter kits, as well as items made of natural fibers.  The young ladies that Dee brought assisted in setting up the displays on the table – heads with wigs, hats and scarves, and a glass head with “brains” of roving and then went out into the sunshine to check things out.

Crochet on Display.

This is a small event, not really spreadout only 4 barns, and some vendors outside under tents.  But there are a lot of things to see, pet and buy.  If you ever go wear sturdy walking shoes as there are not real paths or walkways except indoors.  There were also sheep, sheep dogs, alpacas, and angora bunnies to pet.

While waiting for some parties interested in crochet, Ruth whipped up a new hat for herself which she promptly put on hoping to get a little warmer.  Then she went out into the sunshine and warmth to check out the vendors in the buildings next door and returned wearing wool gloves that displayed only the tips of her fingers.  Dee was toasty warm wearing her mittens, while Nancy and I wore our fingerless mitts and wished we had the yarn to close them up.

We all did our best to help the economy in CT by buying yarn, crochet accessories ( stitch markets, hook markers and shawl pins), wooden hooks, nantucket bags (at a deep discount), and even beads.

More crochet the HHCC had on display.

We demonstrated Tunisian simple stitch and purl (my version which is pretty close to the one in the books), crochet with roving (Dee) and start up crocheters (the young ladies that Dee brought and a few other people).  Also attending: Robyn, and Irene and her husband Alex.

Nancy submitted two items for judging and won ribbons one first place, one third place.  She had never entered anything anywhere before.   We are working on her to enter items at the Big E.

That wind sure did blow through the partially open door of the Red barn and headed straight for us.  We started to envy those sheep clustered in a pen about 25 feet away from us – that is until they started to loose their wooly covering as each were shorn in demos every half hour or so.  I could see the surprised look on their faces as the first of their number returned naked, and he (or she) made straight for the center of the flock to stay warm.  Towards the end of the day only two were left unshorn and they seemd to prefer staying in the middleof the rest of their buddies, but alas they too were shorn of their fleecy covering but not without demonstrating some resistance.

All in all a fine though chilly day.  Only the second time I have attended and I am alrady planning on my warm wardrobe for next year – just in case.

HHCC is now on Facebook!

While the page is still in development, you can still become a fan and start sharing in the joy of crochet with other Facebook users.  To check out the page, visit http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/pages/Happily-Hooked-on-Crochet-Club/277382492298212?sk=wall.  While you're there, give us a "like."

HHCC February 12th Meeting

The HHCC's monthly meeting,

scheduled for Sunday, February 12th, 2012,

is being held at:

The Danbury Free Public Library
(bottom floor)
located on 170 Main Street, Danbury, CT
1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Participants are asked to park in the A. Bardo parking garage (1 block away, located on 10 Library Place, hourly rate of $1.00 per hr)
or along West Street (metered parking, at the time of this blog entry, is free on Sundays; 2 hr limit)

Members and participants of the meeting are asked to bring chemo caps/hats as part of
the HHCC's "Hats from the Heart" campaign.  Caps/Hats need to be adult size, for both men
& women.  These will be donated to the Danbury Hospital.
(pictured above, on right, is a Lacy Chemo Cap designed by Dee; pattern can be found here.)
"Hats from the Heart" labels will be provided at the
February meeting; otherwise, labels can be downloaded/printed from here.

ALSO:  Upon popular request, members interested in learning how to crochet the "Crazy Stitch/ AKA The Diagonal Stitch," bring yarn & appropriate sized crochet hook to practice with.

Chance to WIN a HHCC & CGOA 1-Year Membership!

Those who turn in their HHCC membership applications by the end of the March 2012 meeting will be entered into The Ruth Arbitelle Memorial Membership Drawing. The winner of this annual drawing receives reimbursement for this year's HHCC dues. Winner to be announced at the April meeting.

Recipients of the Ruth Arbitelle Memorial Membership:

2009 : Linda Maroney

2010 : Diane Gilbert
2011: Dee Stanziano

2012: Could be YOU!!

Reminder: If you are a member of the Crochet Guild of America, show your CGOA Membership card and get 50% off your HHCC dues!!

In addition, for the second year in a row, our member Dee Stanziano, is having a drawing for a ONE-YEAR CGOA Membership! Her drawing is open only until January 14th, so hurry on over to her blog for the details on how to enter!

Looks like 2012, Year of the Dragon, is off to a roaringly good start!

Custom Crochet Hooks for HHCC Members

HHCC Mascot, "Happy"

At the December 7th "Coffee, Crochet & Chat" morning session, held at Panera Bread on Federal Road in Brookfield, HHCC members Dee, Grace, Ruth and Marilyn were discussing various crochet hooks.  Dee showed them her new customized giraffe crochet hook she had requested and the discussion naturally went to "What if a crochet hook could be created for HHCC members based upon a photograph of the group's mascot?"

"Happy, the Crochet Hook,"
by LemonadeShop

Dee asked the hook creator if she was up for the challenge, designing a hook based upon a photograph -- and she was! (Pictured on right: The photograph, taken by Jeremy Pollack back in 2010: the mascot was hand crocheted by HHCC member, Chava.  Pictured on left is "Happy, the Crochet Hook")
HHCC members can order their own "Happy the Turtle" crochet hooks directly, in sizes F-J, in either a Susan Bates or Boye style hook.  Cost is $20 (includes $5 S&H):  The Lemonade Shop

Please note the HHCC is not affiliated, nor receives any funds from this.

HHCC Unveils New Club Logo

EXCITING NEWS!

It was a lot of work, and well worth the wait: The HHCC's CafePress Shop has been updated with the Club's brand new logo!

HHCC Tote available at
www.CafePress.com/TheHHCC

There are lots of goodies - from coffee mugs to charms to T-shirts and totes; essentially all the goodies for wearing and using at various meetings and events! 

 

 How to order: visit www.CafePress.com/TheHHCC ((**Bookmark it!**))

Click on the goodies you want & then process your order. In about a week or two your goodies will arrive at the mailing address you give CafePress. If you do not order items from the Internet, please see either Grace or Dee to place an order for you; items will be shipped to either Grace or Dee and then delivered at the next meeting. Payment in full is expected prior to having the order placed for you.

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!

Book Review: Afghans & Throws: A Step-by-Step Guide to Knit and Crochet Designs, Patterns and Techniques

HHCC Book Review


Title: Afghans & Throws: A Step-by-Step Guide to Knit and Crochet Designs, Patterns and Techniques
Author: Luise Roberts
Year: 2008

Rating: 9 1/2 out of 10 balls of yarn

This book caught may attention when I saw Crochet and Knit in the title. It’s almost impossible to find both in one book. I found this book to be a very comprehensive guide, not a how- to. It is not for the beginner, you need to know how to crochet or knit to be able to use this book. Also it is not a pattern book (there are 6 projects in the back not all afghans or throws). This book has several sections starting with tools for knitting and crochet and has over 30 sections each devoted a particular facet of crochet or knitting.

An example of the information is a table that covers sizing of beds with crochet and knit yarn calculations for multiple yarn types. The other sections cover color selection, embroidery, creating motifs to appliqué to a finished project, and more. It includes how to read both knit and crochet charts. Finishing and trims in crochet and knit. There is a section on stitches in crochet and knit. Each has a picture of the completed pattern, written instructions (for most) and the chart. There are sections on cables, weaving, texture and using beads in knit and crochet. Each section covers both mediums.

Definitely a book I would like to put in my library and it wouldn’t collect dust.
9 ½ balls of yarn out of 10 because the projects weren’t all afghans or throws.


Review by Diane George, 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 Celebrates 8th Anniversary with Lily Chin

The Happily Hooked on Crocheting Club, Connecticut Chapter of the Crochet Guild of America, recognized in 2006 by Governor M. Jodi Rell for local charitable crochet donations, celebrated it's 8th Anniversary in November!

Founded in 2001 on the cusp of 911, Ruth Arbitelle* (deceased), Hilda Nichols, Kay Perna, Dee Stanziano and Ruth Young banded together to create a CGOA Chapter dedicated to the art of crochet, all while having fun. Under the current leadership of Grace Gardiner, HHCC President, the group has blossomed to 50 members, continues to aid local charities, and travels around the tri-state area promoting crochet.

At the November meeting, the HHCC members welcomed Lily Chin to teach her popular, often sold out, workshop, "Crochet Tips & Tricks."

Fun was had by all! There was a smorgasbord of various treats, the official anniversary cake, and Lily autographing her brand new book, Crochet Tips & Tricks, Shortcuts and Techniques Every Crocheter Should Know." HHCC President Grace said, "[Lily made] our anniversary celebration so very special. I believe I can speak for all those that were able to attend, we learned so much and had a great time doing it!"


*To learn more about Ruth Arbitelle, please visit our website at www.crochetclubinct.org

Details from The 2009 Big E

On September 23, members of The HHCC traveled to West Springfield, MA, to participate in the Eastern States Expositon, well known as The Big E. September 23rd was Connecticut Day, and The HHCC was there to promote and demonstrate crochet.

The members displayed a vast variety of projects to highlight the many different types & techniques of crochet, and also provided free beginner lessons (and supplies!) to those interested. Casey, one of our Junior members, blogged about the Big E here.

The HHCC would like to welcome Linda into the fold; Linda became an official HHCC'er at The Big E!! Welcome Linda! :)

Prior to attending, several members entered their items in the Fair's Crochet Competition. Congratulations go to Casey, Chava, Dee, Elaine and Ruth for winning a variety of ribbons in many categories for Crochet! In addition to winning a Blue Ribbon for her hat and scarf set, Elaine also won "Best Use of Color," winning a $100 Gift Certificate from WEBs yarn store. And, according to the Big E Event Coordinator, this year there were more crocheted entries than knitted. This is a huge accomplishment as crochet was slated to be removed from the Fair barely 8 years ago due to lack of interest! Congratulations HHCC'ers!

HHCC'ers to Demo @ The Big E

The HHCC is proud to announce their return, for the 7th straight year, to the Eastern States Exposition.

The Eastern States Exposition is the ninth largest state fair held in West Springfield, MA. It is commonly known as The Big E.

HHCC members can be found at the Fair, on Wednesday, September 23rd, known as Connecticut Day. Look for them in the New England State building (or just ask where the Cream Puff building is).

HHCC members will be demonstrating crochet during the day.

Additional information about the fair can be found here: http://www.thebige.com/.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

If you are an HHCC member and need a ticket to the Fair for September 23rd, please contact Dee. Free tickets are a 1st come, 1st serve basis.

September Meeting: Double the Pleasure

The HHCC's September meeting this past weekend was hosted by HHCC member Margaret Hubert. Margaret graciously opened her home to Club members, offered lunch, and instructions on how to crochet double-sided fabric, based upon her latest book (being released on January 1, 2010), "The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet: Basics, Patterns, Projects for All Methods of Crochet."

There was also a drawing for a variety of goodies, from delicious yarns to Margaret's out of print/hard to find, freeform book, Fun with Free-Form Crochet; everyone won a prize.

In addition to all the fun Margaret provided, the Club also celebrated another HHCC Founder's 80th Birthday: Hilda Nichols. Hilda is very involved in crocheting for charity, both for the HHCC's charity drives, and for her local senior center. Happy Birthday Hilda!

The HHCC returns to it's normal meeting location, The Danbury Hospital next month. Members are encouraged to bring yarn & hooks to help make hats and scarves to be donated to our local Salvation Army in early December.

The HHCC would like to sincerely thank Margaret for hosting such a wonderful meeting! She's the "Hostess with the Mostess"

Notice: September Meeting LOCATION Change

The HHCC's September 13th meeting will be an "away" meeting, hosted by a HHCC member who will also be providing lunch.

Attendees are encouraged to bring 2 balls of yarn to play with, of complimenting or contrasting color, equal in weight of 3 or 4 based upon the guidelines from www.yarnstandards.com, along with the appropriate crochet hook size for the yarn. The technique of double sided crochet will be demonstrated.

For those who would like to attend as guests of the HHCC, please contact the HHCC for driving directions PRIOR to the meeting date.

The HHCC's October meeting will return to being held at the Danbury Hospital.

Mother-Daughter Duo Sweep Blue

Casey Stanziano, one of two children who enjoys being a member of the HHCC, recently won 3 Blue Ribbons in the Junior Division at the Bridgewater Fair. She entered a gold hat made of Jelly Yarn, and a purple backpack; both designed for her American Girl Doll, Nikki. She also entered a glittery black tie she designed for her Dad to wear at the recent CGOA ChainLink Conference that was held in Buffalo, NY. Casey is 12 and wrote about the fair in her blog here.

Casey's Mom, and an HHCC Founder, Dee Stanziano, recently won 5 Blue Ribbons and 2 Trophies for her crochet at the same fair. She entered a red cotton hat with bundles of bullion stitches for the trim; a sequined bag crocheted out of pink thread; and a pink beaded necklace. She won the Trophies for her grey and black sweater, and for her aqua wrap.

Congratulations!

Thank You Grafton Fibers!

Today, at the montly meeting, members of the HHCC enjoyed Guests Linda and Tom Diak of http://www.graftonfibers.com/.

Linda handed out supplies of foam blocks, felting needles, beautiful roving, and steel crochet hooks, then instructed HHCC members how to make her famous felted handles for steel crochet hooks. Meanwhile Tom was busy fielding questions and selling their beautiful hand-turned crochet hooks, knitting needles and roving. The HHCC was very delighted to have Linda and Tom visit with us -- and for our new "toys."

The HHCC would like to sincerely thank Linda and Tom for hiking down to Danbury from Vermont to spend the day with us!



Edited to add: For more pictures & information about this meeting, please see HHCC member, Margaret Hubert's blog at: http://margaretshooksandneedles.blogspot.com/2009/09/happily-hooked-on-crochet-chapter.html

Notice: August Meeting DATE Change

For those wishing to attend the monthly HHCC August meeting, please note there has been a date change. The Club will NOT be meeting on the 9th due to many members attending the annual CGOA National CHAINLink Conference being held in Buffalo, NY.

The meeting date has been changed to Sunday, August 16th.

The meeting time, 1-4 PM has not been changed. The meeting will be held at it's normal meeting place, the Danbury Hospital.

The Special Guest for the August meeting will be Grafton Fibers. Linda Diak will be demonstrating how to create felted handles for steel crochet hooks. Members wanting to try this are asked to bring their own hooks. Tom Diak will be selling his delicious handturned crochet hooks and knitting needles.

For details from the July meeting, please visit with Margaret's blog.

Notice: July Meeting Location Change

The July HHCC monthly meeting location has been changed. The meeting will be hosted at the home of an HHCC member.

If you are interested in attending the July meeting, please be at the Michaels Arts & Crafts parking lot, located off Federal Road in Brookfield, CT, before NOON, on Sunday, August 12th.

This will be a Yarn Swap meeting, concentrating on crocheting summer chemo caps for the men & women in need at the Danbury Hospital.

Please contact The HHCC for additional information.

Congratulations, Mary!

The HHCC would like to extend their Congratulations to CGOA member, Mary Sevillo from Queens Village, NY, for creating the winning logo design to be used for the CGOA's 15th Crystal Jubilee Anniverary!

For her winning design, Mary has received a one-year CGOA membership renewal offered by The HHCC, along with an augographed book offered by The Northern IL Chapter (NIC), the very first CGOA chapter, and CGOA Founder Gwen Blakley Kinsler. Mary's winning design will be used to create a limited edition commemorative pin which will be available for purchase at the National Conference next month.

Look for other great items featuring the Anniversary Logo at http://www.blogger.com/www.CafePress.com/CrystalJubilee

For additional information about the Logo Contest, click here.

The HHCC would also like to congratulate the runners-up, Jan Scogin, and Jane Matthews, as well as all the other participants in the Logo Contest! :)

HHCC Current Activites

HHCC members are encouraged to crochet chemo caps for the Danbury Hospital. Summer Chemo Caps, including for men, are in dire need. Please bring your chemo caps to the July meeting.

HHCC members are encouraged to crochet something to enter into competion to help show how wonderful crochet is! Should a ribbon be won, terrific! Should after viewing your entry, someone be inspired to pick up a crochet hook for the first time, or after a long hiatus, even better!

The CGOA Design Competion: must be original work, and must be a member of the CGOA. Visit http://www.crochet.org for additional information.

The Big E is the ninth largest state fair in America. Entry forms must be received by The Big E by August 15th. Items for hand delivery must be brought to the August 16th meeting. Members of the HHCC will be demonstrating Crochet @ The Big E on Connecticut Day, Wednesday, September 23rd, in the New England State Building. Come see us!

Knit One, Save One Collections

The Caps to the Capital campaign from 2006/2007, sponsored by the Save the Children foundation, was a huge success having collected some 282,000 caps, helping to save many tiny lives.


This program is being reintroduced as "Knit One, Save One," part of Save the Children's Survive to 5 program.

On October 1st, at the monthly "Coffee, Crochet & Chat" morning session, held at the Borders bookstore located in Brookfield, CT, 18 caps were collected.



Additional collections will take place on:
Wednesday, November 5th, and
Wednesday, December 3rd
at the morning sessions of "Coffee, Crochet & Chat."

All caps collected by the HHCC will be hand-delivered to the Save the Children world headquarters before the December 31st deadline. Please note you do not need to be a HHCC member to donate hats!


For more inspiration, if you are a member of the Ravelry web site, please join us at our Knit One, Save One group.