Ewe Know it! Crochet at the 103rd CT Sheep & Wool Festival

HHCC'ers Teach and Promote Crochet at the 103rd Connecticut Sheep & Wool Festival

Yesterday, on a sunny yet chilly-perfect-for-wool-buying day, HHCC members set in for a day of teaching and promoting the art of crochet at the 103rd Connecticut Sheep & Wool Festival.  The group displayed a wide variety of crocheted projects featuring natural fibers; and offered beginner crochet lessons; as well as demonstrations on Tunisian crochet and how to Crochet with Unspun Roving.

While there, the group was offered an opportunity to enter items on display into a judging contest.  With support of fellow HHCC'ers, Nancy entered two of her crocheted items: her Jalapeno Sunrise jacket and her cabled vest. This would be the first time Nancy ever entered her designs into competition.  Nancy says she was "Hook-winked" with the results, which you can read about on her blog here: http://www.nlsstitches.com/journal/2012/4/28/hook-winked.html

The HHCC would like to Congratulate Nancy on her Ribbons!!  :)

When members were not helping out at the booth, they also got to check out the various demonstrations being offered by other groups, do some shopping, and pet all the adorable animals.

In addition to HHCC members participating, the HHCC had teen-helpers this year, aiding in the setting up & tearing down of the booth, including their own teaching & learning crochet -- but they opted to do it in the sunshine where it was warmer!  (smart girls!)

Everyone had a fantastic time and are looking forward to the 104th Connecticut Sheep & Wool Festival next year!  :)

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!

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!!