As you may already know, I had the honor of being co chair of the CGOA 2016 Design Competition, along with Jessie Rayot of Jessie at Home.
We received 92 entries. All 92 entries were photographed, labeled and transported to Charleston NC for the conference where they were judged and then displayed for the entire Marketplace to enjoy.
Our judges this year were Margaret Hubert, Mary Beth Temple and Nancy Smith. A HUGE thank you to all three of these amazing women for making these difficult choices, I don’t know how they did it.
Every design was amazing this year, our judges had a hard time choosing.
There were 10 judged categories this year plus a bonus category
Fashion: garments (not accessories), including sweaters, tops, jackets, vests, skirts and dresses. Sponsored by Boye
Accessories: including wraps, scarves, cowls, socks, mittens, hats, bags, belts and jewelry. Sponsored by WEBS
Home Décor and Afghans: items primarily for the home, including afghans and throws, baby blankets. Sponsored by CARON by Yarnspirations
Thread Crochet: anything made in crochet thread or fine/lace weight yarn (CYC category #0/Lace); this category may overlap other categories, and includes doilies, garments, baby clothes, accessories. Sponsored by Clover
Artistic Expression: items more artistic in nature, including free-form and mixed media pieces, wall hangings, wearable art. Sponsored by Ravelry
Young Designer: anything designed with yarn and/or crochet thread by members 25 years old and younger. Designer may turn 26 in the year of the competition. As long as sometime during the year 2015 he or she was 25. Sponsored by Marian G Wilburn Foundation for Fiber Arts
First Time Entrant/Non-Professional: anything designed with yarn and/or crochet thread by someone who has never entered the design competition before and is not a crochet professional. Non-professionals have not had any of their crochet designs published in print or PDF format. Sponsored by Susan Bates
Bonus Category – Pineapples: This year’s conference theme is pineapples! If your entry contains pineapples there will be a box you can check on the entry form to indicate this so your entry can also be judged in this category as well. Sponsored by Creative Yarn Source
Technical Merit: Each design is judged based on overall difficulty and execution of stitches. Judging also includes how the stitches are used in the overall design. Sponsored by Mary Maxim
Grand Prize: This category includes the judges pick on best overall design. All judging criteria from other categories is taken into consideration. Award is $1000. Generously sponsored by Red Heart.
Additionally we have a People’s Choice Category: Every member who attends the conference is encouraged to vote for their favorite design. Sponsored by Moogly.
We couldn’t have had this amazing competition without our sponsors. A HUGE thank you to these amazing companies for supporting out designers and our organization.
Thank you to Karen McKenna for coordinating the sponsors for this years competition.
And now for the winners!
drum roll please……
Grand Prize
$1000 Prize Sponsored by Red Heart
Kathryn White with the Baroque Jacket. This lovely design took Kathryn over 9 1/2 months to create. It features Irish Lace. Congratulations to Kathryn on her accomplishment. This jacket was even more stunning in person.
Afghans and Home Decor
First Place
$300 sponsored by Yarnspirations/Caron

First Place in Afghans and Home Decor in the CGOA 2016 Design Competiton is The Sampler Blanket, designed by Allessandra Hayden.
Second Place
$200 sponsored by Yarnspirations/Caron

Second Place in Afghans and Home Decor in the CGOA 2016 Design Competition is Persian Pickle, designed by Sarah Karnes.
Third Place
$100 sponsored by Yarnspirations/Caron

Third Place in Afghans and Home Decor in the CGOA 2016 Design Competition is the Beach House Afghan, designed by Susan Heyn.
Accessories
First Place
$300 sponsored by WEBS

First Place in Accessories in the CGOA 2016 Design Competition is the Sunday Best Purse, designed by Joyce Geisler.
Second Place
$200 sponsored by WEBS

Second Place in Accessories in the CGOA 2016 Design Competition is the Night of Jazz Wrap, designed by Linda Dean.
Third Place
$100 sponsored by WEBS

Third Place in Accessories in the CGOA 2016 Design Competition is the Pistachio Hat, designed by Alla Koval.
Young Designer
First Place
$300 sponsored by Marian G Wilburn Foundation for Fiber Arts

First Place in Young Designers in the CGOA 2016 Design Competition is Scales, designed by Grace Rosburg.
Second Place
$200 sponsored by Marian G Wilburn Foundation for Fiber Arts

Second Place in Young Designers in the CGOA 2016 Design Competition is Scallops, designed by Grace Rosburg.
Artistic Expression
First Place
$300 sponsored by Ravelry

First Place in Artistic Expression in the CGOA 2016 Design Competition is Pineapple Sunset, designed by Jennifer Olivarez.
Second Place
$200 sponsored by Ravelry

Second Place in Artistic Expression in the CGOA 2016 Design Competition is Swirling in Creativity, designed by Gwen Blakely-Kinsler.
Third Place
$100 sponsored by Ravelry

Third Place in Artistic Expression in the CGOA 2016 Design Competition is Ode to Starry Night, designed by Deborah Bagley.
Fashion
First Place
$300 sponsored by Boye

First Place in Fashion in the CGOA 2016 Design Competition is the Casual Day Cardigan, designed by Jennifer Pionk.
Second Place
$200 Sponsored by Boye

Second Place in Fashion in the CGOA 2016 Design Competiton is the Random Granny Gems Vest, designed by Patricia Bershak.
Third Place
$100 Sponsored by Boye

Third Place in Fashion in the CGOA 2016 Design Competition is Golden Galaxy, designed by Willena Nanton.
Thread
First Place
$300 sponsored by Clover

First Place in Thread in the CGOA 2016 Design Competiton is Ring Around the Pansy, designed by Joanne Jillard.
Second Place
$200 sponsored by Clover

Second Place in Thread in the CGOA 2016 Design Competiton is the Pretty as a Peacock Shawl, designed by Theresa Kehrer.
Third Place
$100 sponsored by Clover

Third Place in Thread in the CGOA 2016 Design Competiton is Tropical Sorosis, designed by Carol Booth.
First Time Entrant
First Place
$300 sponsored by Susan Bates

First Place in First Time Entrant in the CGOA 2016 Design Competiton is Wedding Ensamble, designed by Jackie Lloyd-Jones.
Second Place
$200 sponsored by Susan Bates

Second Place in First Time Entrant in the CGOA 2016 Design Competiton is Medieval Wedding Bodice and Skirt, designed by Jackie Lloyd-Jones.
Third Place
$100 sponsored by Susan Bates

Third Place in First Time Entrant in the CGOA 2016 Design Competiton is Tumbling Leaves, designed by Susan Pichotta.
Special Pineapple Theme
$100 sponsored by Creative Yarn Source

Special Pineapple Theme in the CGOA 2016 Design Competition is Pineapple Parfait, designed by Carol Booth.
Technical Merit
$100 Sponsored by Mary Maxim
Also Sunday’s Best Purse by Joyce Geisler, see the Thread Category
People’s Choice
$100 Sponsored by Moogly
Also the Grand Prize winner, Baroque Jacket by Kathyrn White, see Grand Prize above
We owe a special gratitude to our entire board for keeping our wonderful organization together. As well as all of our fabulous members who participate in the design competition and conference.
The CGOA board consists of Susan Sullivan President, Karen McKenna Secretary, Shari White Treasurer, Bobbie Matela VP, Delma Myers, Linda Dean and Marcy Smith.