>As the proud holder of two previous Flamies (scroll down the  sidebar to see mine!), I have personally experienced the flood of happyhappyjoyjoy that comes from taking home… posting on one’s blog or website…  these beauties.  But however the voting goes and whatever the world may think of the Crochet Liberation Front’s Third Annual Flamie Awards, the winner has been, is still and always will be crochet.

There is no other event like it, created for and by crocheters, that specifically recognizes excellence across all these areas of crochet.  Not tied to any company, publisher or industry “suits”, we just want to have crochet fun, jump up and down {squeeee!} on awards night and thump each other on the back for jobs well done.  And at first, as CLF Fearless Leader Laurie Wheeler will admit, that’s what the Flamies were all about.  A wink-nudge take on Oscar night.  A lark.  But as the reputation of this award has spread and grown over the past two years, so has the weightiness of the crown.

Now the event is under closer scrutiny by yarn execs, editors and the media.  Past winners in corporate categories have taken to displaying and, yes, flaunting their Flamies in ads and newsletters, taking the focus of the award far beyond what could be accomplished by individual crocheters.  YIKES! The feeling of competition among the nominees is palpable and continues to snowball as the voting draws nearer.  Now it sort of matters who wins.

Bozena, nominated for Best Design Adult Garments

On the strength of my design work in 2010 and my book, Crochet Lace Innovations, I have received multiple Flamie nominations, an embarrassment of riches.  Honestly I would be totally overjoyed to take home just one this year.  But that I leave up to you, the voters.  So please check out the list of nominees and cast your ballots when the voting commences on 15 March.  The eyes of the yarn industry are upon you!