2015 CGOA Design Competition Results

Last week, I attended the CGOA Conference (aka: the Knit & Crochet Show) in San Diego, CA. The conference was a blast, as usual! There were fabulous classes from Wed night through Sat afternoon, lots of shopping on the show floor on Fri & Sat, as well as a “sneak preview” for registered conference attenders on Thur night and a celebration of crochet on Fri evening, which included the Masters Pinning Ceremony (for those who have passed the Masters program since last year’s conference), the Design Competition Awards Ceremony and the Hall of Fame celebration (for the new inductee into the Jean Leinhauser CGOA Crochet Hall of Fame). This year’s Hall of Fame winner is Lily Chin. Congratulations, Lily! You’re a HUGE force in the crochet field!

 

We had our grand finale Banquet and Fashion Show on Saturday night, as well. The food was delicious, the fashion show was fabulous and the attendees are some of the nicest crocheters you’ll ever meet! Ellen Gormley, the editor of Crochet! magazine, was the emcee. The evening was relaxing, exciting and inspiring! It was a great way to end the conference (although nobody wants the conference to end)!

 

For the past 6 months, I’ve had the pleasure of working as co-chair of the 2015 CGOA Design Competition, which was held at the CGOA Conference last week at the Town & Country Resort & Conference Center in San Diego, CA. I was amazed at the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes to put on the design competition! I tip my hat to Doris Chan, who has handled the design competition for 5 years (mostly by herself)! You’ve done a fabulous job, Doris!!!

 

There were many hands helping in the design competition this year. First, I want to personally thank my co-chair, Bobbie Matela, for all the hard work you put into the design competition. You were a fabulous co-chair and I couldn’t have done what I did without you! Next, I’d like to thank our judging manager, Karen McKenna, the many helping hands at the conference, including (but not limited to) Edith Smith, Diane Miller and many, many more, Kaytee Sumida for loaning us so many display pieces, as well as everyone who helped “man the booth” on the show floor (there are too many of you to list, but you know who you are)! We couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!!!

 

We had 7 categories in the Design Competition this year, including 2 new categories (First Time Entrant and Young Designer).

 

Now, for the moment you’ve all been waiting for: the announcement of the winners in the 2015 CGOA Design Competition! Can I get a drum roll please?

 

In the “First Time Entrant” category, sponsored by Susan Bates, the winners are:

 

3^rd place – Harem Nights by Amy Curtin

2^nd place – Woodland Winter Jacket by Heather Galluzzi

1^st place – Emily Rose by Kayt Ross

 

In the “Young Designer” category, sponsored by The Marian G. Wilburn Foundation for Fiber Arts, the winner is:

 

1^st place – Catherine Wheels Skirt by Grace Rosburg

In the “Artistic Expression” category, sponsored by Creativebug, the winners are:

3^rd place – Danakil Depression by Kayt Ross

2^nd place – Cobblestones by Kayt Ross

1^st place – Spiral Blues by Ann Wicker

 

In the “Accessories” category, sponsored by Clover, the winners are:

 

Honorable Mention – Ombre Celtic Knot Necklace by Jennifer Ryan

3^rd place – Spring Floral Pin by Jean DeMouy

2^nd place – Eleanor Shawl by Kathryn White

1^st place – Hearts Galore by Sandy Gold

 

In the “Afghans & Home Décor” category, sponsored by WEBS America’s Yarn Store, the winners are:

 

Honorable Mention – Shades of Teal Afghan by Kayt Ross

3^rd place – Behind the Picket Fence Throw by Shari White

2^nd place – The Long & Short of It by Vicki Buford

1^st place – Country Gardens Pillow by Joyce Geisler

 

In the “Thread Crochet” category, sponsored by Bernat, the winners are:

 

3^rd place – Blue Bird Doily by Kathryn White

2^nd place – Spring Leaves Wedding Dress by Brandi Isham

1^st place – Free Spirit Doily by Kathryn White

 

In the “Fashion” category, sponsored by Interweave Crochet / Love of Crochet, the winners are:

 

Honorable Mention – Lollapalooza by Julia Bryant

Honorable Mention – Blue Poppy Lace Coat & Poppy Pin by Alla Koval

Honorable Mention – Checkerboard Cardigan by Shari White

Honorable Mention – Aegean Dress by Kristin Lynn

3^rd place – Velella Poncho by Shari White

2^nd place – Tunica Geometrica by Susan Walsh

1^st place – Legacy by Kathryn White

 

For “Technical Merit”, sponsored by Mary Maxim, the winner is:

 

Spring Leaves Wedding Dress by Brandi Isham

 

For “Peoples’ Choice”, sponsored by Happily Hooked Crochet Magazine, the winner is:

 

Spring Leaves Wedding Dress by Brandi Isham

 

And the “Grand Prize” winner, sponsored by Red Heart, is:

 

Emily Rose by Kayt Ross

 

Please join me in thanking all of our generous and supportive sponsors this year. And a big “CONGRATULATIONS” to all the winners in each category of the competition!

 

Now it’s time to get those hooks busy designing entries for next year’s CGOA Design Competition!

 

Happy crocheting,

Susan