Come crochet with us!
Do you like to crochet? If so, the Northern Illinois Chapter of CGOA is the group for you! We invite you to share an abundance of crocheting resources. Skilled members share their expertise at every meeting. Topics include filet crochet, Irish crochet, bead crochet, finishing techniques, crocheting jewelry, 3-D crochet, and freeform crochet.
Members are eager to help each other understand difficult patterns, develop new creations and encourage one another to create without patterns. All this happens in a fun-filled atmosphere of camaraderie promoted by creative people of all ages.
Our annual Chapter Challenge encourages our members to showcase their creativity through crochet. Our chapter hosted the national CGOA Conference in 1994, 1997, 2003. and 2017.
Our Meetings
Monthly meetings (usually held on the second Saturday of the month, from 1:30 to 4:30 PM, check Events for schedule) begin with business and announcements of interest to crocheters. We do “Show and Tell” where everyone has a chance to show their newest creations to the group. This is followed by an educational program where we increase our knowledge about crochet. Our meetings are also an excellent chance to ask any questions that you have about any aspect of crocheting. And if you like to help less experienced crocheters, this is the place where opportunity abounds.
Crochet Demos
The chapter demonstrates the art of crochet at various locations as part of its mission to educate the public about crochet.
Study Groups
The Northern Illinois Chapter includes crochet study groups dedicated to pushing the boundaries of crochet by working in small groups. Each group chooses a project which is challenging to members and expands their base of crochet knowledge. Study groups are open to Northern Illinois Chapter members only.
Opportunities
Members enjoy field trips to yarn and bead stores in the Chicagoland area. Invigorating crochet retreats are also offered. Past retreats have taken place in scenic areas of Michigan and Wisconsin, and most recently in Oregon IL.
Community Service
The Northern Illinois Chapter also provide opportunities to demonstrate skills for various groups at schools, festivals and historical museums. Chapter members also crochet hats, mittens and scarves for Snug Hugs for Kids Crochet- and Knit-a-thon each year. These items are given to the Children’s Home and Aid Society of Chicago for distribution during December. Crocheted preemie hats are also donated to Northwest Community Hospital.
Members crochet 7-inch by 9-inch afghan squares for Warm Up America! which aids the homeless and the Red Cross. More information on Warm Up America! is available from the Warm Up America! website: http://www.warmupamerica.com/. Donations to Warm Up America! may be mailed directly to: Warm Up America!/CGOA-1, Craft Yarn Council of America, PO Box 9, Gastonia, NC 28053-0009.
In 2018, our chapter is participating in national CGOA’s chapter challenge to crochet chemo caps for cancer patients.
