Crochet Contest August 2008

The NIC Crochet Challenge for this year resulted in my entry which is pictured here to the right comeing in second place for the most creative use of the theme.

My entry consists of three bathtubs, a crocheting mermaid, a starfish, and a sign on a vine covered post. All this laid out on a checked rug similar to tile found in a bathroom. It was a tremendous challenge for me. The nylon granny scquares for the

rug were difficult because they were small, crocheted with smaller size Omega nylon cord, and had to be put together in certain directions. Trying to find some material to crochet so that it looked like water was really fun - I tried different materials

and finally decided on fishing line - and it was perfect. It is clear like water, and when crocheted it kept curling up so that it looked like suds, and wavy water. It was a bugger to crochet and

I learned to follow the lead of the material since it was so stubborn and would follow my lead -- sometimes you just gotta go with the flow, and let the material talk to you. I listened and went with the bent of the fishing line and it is just perfect.

I was terribly disappointed to come in second when I saw the entry that came in first. It was gorgeous, creative and beautifully done, but how does it illustrate the need for water more than mine with the littlest duck asking WHERE'S MY WATER? and looking at his empty bathtub.

After talking to a few people and showing them the photos, I came to the conclusion that voters probably have a bias toward clothing, and against non-functional art work. Mermaid is truly a work of art, a crocheted sculpture, and without a doubt showing the need to take care of our water supply. I think a lot of people missed the boat - and saw what they would like to wear and to crochet, rather than the meaning of the theme. Most of the people voting corchet clothing and accessories, only a few crochet art work and sculpture. But then maybe I am biased here.....

I will attach some more of the entries here because they are all unique, and I wish the whole world to see them. Also, I would like to donate my crocheted Sculpture to an organization that will use it to promote water conservation. If anyone knows of such an organization who might use this and treasure it, please let me know.

And please conserve water. here in Chiago, on the shores of Lake Michigan, we have an abundant supply, but even here in the USA there are towns rationing it, and penalizing people who go over their alotted quota. In the global community, 50% of the patients in the world's hospitals are there because of contaminated water or the lack of any water. To survive we humans need 1) air to breathe(survive about 5 mintues without it) 2) water to drink(survive maybe 3 days without it 3) food to eat (survive maybe a month without it).

Art of Crochet

"Crocheting has been likened to meditation in the way the repetitive movements of the crochet hook and yarn relieve stress. Another emotional benefit is the pride and pleasure you can derive from a completed crochet project that you can use of give as a gift." - Maran Illustrated Knitting and Crocheting, page 220. ISB 1-590200-862-3. I found this book in the Rolling Meadows Library. I don't usually read books that cover both Knitting and Crochet, but I grabbed this one while waiting for the Crochet Guild meeting to begin. I am impressed by the Crochet Section. This illustrations and directions for crocheting are TOP NOTCH. They would be a good teaching tool for crocheting. I think that if I buy a book about crocheting AND knitting, I am wasting my money because at least half the book is of no value to me since I don't knit, but this book's crochet illustrations might just be worth it.
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Also, DID YOU KNOW? The word crochet comes from the French word croc which means hook. This is according to a delightful book titled STORYBOOK CROCHET, page 111. If you like 3-d crochet, and crocheting dolls, this is a must-read book.

I thank Gwen for choosing WATER for the Chapter Challenge theme. Since water does not have a shape of its own, the entired will be quite diversified and, hopefully, imaginative. I real challenge to creativity. I have eagerly started on my project. I also am hoping that somehow we can garner some publicity for the CGOA with this project as well as promote the cause of conserving water.

NIC Feb. Meeting

Today I went to the Feb. Meeting of the Northern IL Chapter of the CGOA. I was quite excited to find out that WATER was chosen for the theme of the Chapter Challenge. Show & Tell was awesome. Dorothy H. crocheted a gorgeous filet crochet patterned yellow baby blanket. One person crocheted a filet crochet top that was really unique and quite pretty. I donated a very old lace sampler to NIC along with a crocheted doily encased in glass. Amy wasn't there, so I gave three poems composed by Diane R. to Rosalie to give to Amy before the Feb. 15th deadline for the newsletter.

Crochet Chapter Challenge

During the January meeting of the Northern Illinois Chapter of the Crochet Guild of America, the theme for the 2008 Chapter Challenge will be decided. My nominee for this theme is WATER. There are a number of reasons why I think this would be an appropriate theme.
1) It does not have a specific form -- water takes the shape of its container usually - so this be a greater challenge to the creativity and imagination of our super creative crocheters. At first I couldn't think of any "shape" to crochet for WATER - but ideas started popping up after I let my imagine run wild.
2) WATER supports the cause of a cleaner environment. I read recently that 50% of all the patients in the WORLD's hospitals are there because of water contamination. As I sit here next to a clean glass of water which promotes my health - it is astounding to realize that this fact makes me one of the world's privileged inhabitants. Our choice of this theme would help raise awareness of the need for a cleaner environment.
3) WATER supports the cause of conserving out natural resources. We, especially those of us who live near Lake Michigan, are more worried about flooding than where the water for tomorrow's shower will come from. Last year I heard a moving talk from Dr. Jane Goodall at Northeastern IL University. I expected her to talk about gorillas - but that was only a fraction of her awesome and intriguing speech. It was mostly about water conservation -- drink the whole glass of water, don't pour it needlessly down the drain -- turn off the faucet when you aren't actually using the water like when you are brushing your teeth or rinsing dishes. WATER is precious. Like most issues and the way the human mind works -- we only miss something when we DON'T have it, like the use of our thumb when it's in a cast -- like a flushing toilet when our plumbing breaks or when we are camping in the wilderness.
If you can think of any other reasons for choosing WATER as a theme for the Chapter Challenge please let me know.
And NO, I'm not sharing my ideas for crocheted objects representing this theme - that's what we have imagination for, that's why we are creative crocheters -- if you don't use those little cells in your brain they will atrophy -- so here's a perfect opportunity to delay senility....