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I posted this list and the images below from my hotel room at 1:00 this morning while my roommates were sleeping. That was the first time the entire week that I had a moment to think. At that time, no other (better) images were ready to roll, so consider these for identification purposes only. These are not images from the competition, the display or the judging. They were taken by me, the planet’s crappiest photographer, while managing the entries over the past month. Congrats to the winners, but most of all, CHEERS to all the designers who entered this year’s competition and showed us what crochet can do! All I can say is, get ready for next year!
Grand Prize $1000 (Coats & Clark)
(Category: Small Wonders); “Kyoto Coat”, Shelby Allaho
Child’s Japanese Kimono inspired coat in orange, brown and pink wool with a crazy quilt style sash and delicate ruffled skirt.
Edie Eckman: ” I was so impressed with the way Shelby mixed crochet with other fiber arts in this darling coat. Every technique she used–crochet, sewing, embroidery, quilting–was executed flawlessly, and each disparate part came together to create a perfect design. The colors were unusual but modern. Well done!”
Jean Leinhauser: “A unique combination of fabric and crochet”
Bobbie Matela: “I have never seen fabric accents combined with crochet in such an appealing way. Her use of color, texture and design lines make this a stand-out grand winner!”
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| Kyoto Coat |
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| Bridal Fantasy Back |
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| Bridal Fantasy |
CATEGORY: Special Occasion
First Prize $300 (Coats & Clark)
“Bridal Fantasy”; Patricia Williams
Dress took four and a half months to complete. 100 percent Japanese silk was used for the design which was worked using various stitches into the modern take of Irish Crochet. Buttons are all hand made, done with glass beads.
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| City Nights |
Second Prize $200 (Caron) and Peoples Choice $200 (Caron)
“City Nights”; Willena Nanton
The dress is a combination of Caron Country merino wool blend with Red Heart acrylic and the neckline is made with Nashua Grand Opera (wool, viscose, metallic, polyester) yarns. The dress uses tapestry crochet to show the city skyline at the bottom and the top is made with various designs using single and tapestry crochet.
Third Prize $100 (Leisure Arts)
“Weightless Tunisian Stole”; Vashti Braha
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| Weightless Tunisian Stole |
When I think of this stole, I remember the first time I wore it. It was a special night, breezy and cool, and I felt beautiful. The Tunisian stitch pattern is my own combination of eyelet, slip, and twisted Tunisian stitches. I have not found this kind of eyelet lace used anywhere else so I’ve named it “Wicker Stitch”. I like that the return rows settle into enough of a diagonal grain that the fabric acquires more stretch than the usual Tunisian stitch pattern. Yarn is a 75% kid mohair and 25% silk lightweight yarn called Ovation by S.R. Kertzer.
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| Cotrimot Sweater |
CATEGORY: Daywear
First Prize $300 (Caron)
“Co-Tri-Mo Sweater”; Carole Schumann
Colorful triangular motifs were used to build this design. Part of the fun is selecting several colorways and arranging the colors as you go. A clever crochet trim worked down the front of the sweater simulates a cardigan style, with beads added as faux buttons to complete the look.
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| Fantasy in Purple & Lime |
Second Prize $200 (Interweave)
“Fantasy in Purple and Lime”; Margaret Hubert
Short sleeve fun cardigan in a specialty rayon yarn in vibrant colors. Some free form embellishments spice it up. While not really special occasion, it can go from day into evening. The yarn inspired this design.
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| Corktown Cropped Cardigan |
Third Prize $100 (Leisure Arts)
“Corktown Cropped Cardigan”; Sandra Van Burkleo
This mixed media cardigan was my response to a terrible woman who announced (in a knit design class) that crochet was only good for TRIM. So this cardigan has KNITTED trim. With pockets.
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| Flower Boxes Play Mat |
CATEGORY: Small Wonders (Baby, Kid Stuff)
First Prize $300 (DRG)
“Flower Boxes Play Mat; Deb Burger
The bright primary colors and thick felted texture make this an ideal “floor play” mat or playpen mat. The blanket is crocheted from a filet chart, then flowers embroidered with wool yarn and then it is all felted together. Pre-shrunk by the felting, the blanket is machine wash-and-dryable… easy on Mon, fun and safe for baby.
Second Prize $200 (Leisure Arts)
“Reversible Antique Brooch Baby Blanket”; Tanis Galik
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| Antique Brooch Baby Blanket |
This baby blanket is created in Coats&Clark Red Heart Soft yarn in Seafoam and Off-White using Interlocking Crochet Antique Brooch stitches. One side has seafoam background with off-white antique brooches; the other side has an off-white background with seafoam antique brooches.
Third Prize $100 (Boye)
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| Baby Bubble Throw |
“Baby Bubble Throw”; Shari White
The throw was done in Bernat Baby Sport: Baby White, Baby Denim Marl and Baby Blue. The bubbles were created by using a sc cluster and cables used to accentuate the throw.
CATEGORY: Accessories
First Prize $300 (Caron)
“Jewels of the Sea”; Shelby Allaho
A freeform crochet necklace inspired by shells found on the beach in Kuwait. Scrumbles and felt cut-outs are embellished with embroidery and arranged to showcase the seashells.
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| Jewels of the Sea |
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| Tree Hat |
Second Prize $200 (Interweave)
“Tree Hat”; Leslie Nelle-Urinyi
The Tree Hat is a one of a kind piece created for the 2010 International Freeform Crochet Guild’s online show and book, “Somewhere in My World”. Yarns used: Patons Classic Wool and Berrocco’s Softtwist and some minor amounts of metallic/mohair yarn. Hat is primarily crochet except for the “tree limbs” which were made using pipe cleaners inserted in knitted I cords. Top of hat started with a crochet piece with “tree trunks” that was then felted. Landscape crochet using various colors and stitches were added to form the body of the hat with a reverse sc edging. “Tree Limbs” were then inserted in felted “tree trunks”; various size leaves were then sewn to the “tree limbs”. Some crochet corkscrews and a couple of vintage lucite teardrop beads were added. Stitches used, sc, hdc, dc, bobble and some surface crochet. Various size hooks used.
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| Peony Blossom Shawlette |
Third Prize $100 (Coats & Clark)
“Peony Blossom Shawlette”; Deb Burger
Light and airy Mohair/silk blend, and shoulder warming shape make this a perfect accessory for spring evenings. Peony blossoms decorate the edge, adding elegance.
CATEGORY: Décor
First Prize $300 (Coats & Clark)
“Hinterland”; Shannon Mullett-Bowlsby
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| Hinterland |
This piece was created using a modern sensibility along with a combination of traditional filet crochet techniques and the archetypal look of the grand creations from the past. The pattern is very organic in its construction as each stitch is determined by the stitch it is building upon in the row below using the “if, then” logic process. These techniques from the past and modern interpretations of the traditional art of crochet merge to create this goregously patterned heirloom afghan. This afghan is worked from the center out, and the logic process used in the patterning ensures the smooth lay of the piece.
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| Locomotive Afghan |
Second Prize $200 (Boye)
“Locomotive Afghan”; Susan Lowman
Ten colors of Red Heart Supersaver were used for this afghan. It was made in intarsia method of color changes and is worked entirely in sc stitches. Pattern published in Crochet World, December 2009 issue.
Third Prize $100 (Leisure Arts) and Technical Merit $150 (KJ Hay)
“Reversible Native American Afghan”; Tanis Galik
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| Reversible Native American Afghan |
This afghan is created in black and red acrylic yarn using numerous Interlocking Crochet stitches. One side has a predominately black background with four designs in red; the other side has a predominately red background with four different designs in black. Tanis’ book Interlocking Crochet comes out in November.
CATEGORY: Thread
First Prize $300 (Coats & Clark)
“Evening Bag”; Kathie Earle
Evening bag worked in No/ 40 DMC crochet thread with steel hook. Approx 600 plastic rings incorporated into the design and each ring covered with single crochet as the work progressed. Grape and Vine leaf motifs in traditional Irish crochet technique.
Second Prize $200 (Coats & Clark)
“Victorian Tea Gown”; Cynthia Mallett
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| Victorian Tea Gown |
The Victorian Tea Gown consists of a beaded bodice with leg-of-mutton sleeves and a laced back. The gathered skirt features a scalloped lace design on the front panel and hem. Both pieces are heavily beaded and made with a light green cotton thread.
Third Prize $100 (Boye) and Technical Merit $150 (KJ Hay)
“Rose Infinity”; Kathryn A. White
Doily done in size 20 thread in cream, pink and green. Design has a spiral effect and measures about 18 inches across.
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| Rose Infinity |
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| The Flowers are Alive |
Honorable Mentions
(Category Thread); “The Flowers are Alive; Daisy and Blackeyed Susan”; Elaine Brown
This is my idea of what flowers would look like if they were alive and looked like people. Daisy appeared in my mind fully formed. I knew I had to bring her to life. So this is my vision of what I saw in my mind. I also had to make her a friend so Black Eyed Susan was born. Susan is my favorite summer flower.
(Category: Thread) “Waterlilly”; Kathie Earle
Contemporary table centre worked in traditional Irish technique, using Coats Patons no/ 100 thread and no/ 10 for padding.
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| Waterlilly |
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| Pop Top Bottle Top Purse |
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| Free Spirit Tote |
(Category: Accessories) “Pop Top Bottle Top Purse”; Denise Royal
Purse is made from pop tops, bottle tops, corn yarn and recycled fabric.
(Category Accessories) “Free Spirit Tote”; Lindsey Stephens
The Free Spirit Tote will quickly become one of your favorite projects. The majority of the bag is done in single crochet with variations such as slip stitch embroidery, back loop only stitches, and frequent color changes to make it anything but boring. The Free Spirit Tote is nice and roomy, with button loops that go around the sides of the top to cinch in the opening and keep contents secure.
Doris Chan Crochet 
