Getting Involved With CGOA

Most crocheters enjoy volunteering for CGOA; they freely give their time, expertise and discover the camaraderie they inevitably share with other like-minded crocheters. Katy Ginger is no exception!

Looking for a group of crocheters that love crochet as much as she does, Katy joined CGOA in March 2024. Maybe you haven’t heard of her; but she didn’t waste any time getting involved as a volunteer!  She explains, “Shortly, thereafter, I noticed the website seemed a bit dated, so I sent an inquiry asking if the board would like some help in updating it. The answer was “YES.”.

Initially my college work provided me with computer programming skills. Since I enjoy logic processing, it was straightforward to teach myself other programming and website editing. My programming skills read like ‘alphabet soup’: Python, FORTRAN, CSS, HTML, XML, XSLT, JSON, JavaScript, SQL”

Katy continued to work in the background and shared that, “It eventually led to moving CGOA to a new computer platform and learning specific processes (e.g. the CAL, Chapter Challenge, Member Exhibition, Membership Management, Fees & Accounting Setup, etc.) so that they could be supported and represented in the new software. This also meant thinking ahead as to what the organization might need computer-wise in the future. I then taught the current CGOA administrator about the software so that she could take over.”

To learn more about how people, like Katy, come to enjoy crochet and she told her story, “I grew up in the Chicagoland area with a large family. My mom crocheted and all four of us girls learned to crochet at an early age. We took lots of sewing classes, too, and I learned to make garments fit. It comes in handy since I love making crochet wearables."

While transitioning the CGOA software, I completed the two CGOA Masters programs which helped relieve the stress of the software project management, programming and implementation. I earned Masters’ Certificates in Fundamentals of Crochet and Advanced Stitches & Techniques.”

Teaching Crochet

I asked about Katy’s favorite crochet projects:
“I mainly crochet sweaters and toys and one of my original designs is on Ravelry." She also enjoys teaching others and uses her various interests and skills from 25 years of crochet practice to help others in unique ways, both online and in person.

“To illustrate the impacts of climate change through crochet, I teach and work with a group that is making crocheted sea coral for an exhibition at the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art. For emphasis, some of the crocheted coral is crocheted with white yarn to show how a warming planet bleaches the coral." The exhibit will open in October 2026.

I also teach students online and in person, at my local CGOA Guild Chapter, 'Intro to Crochet' at the Boulder Folk School and 'Learn Tunisian Crochet' at the Handweavers Guild of Boulder.  Recently, I enjoyed converting a group of knitters into avid Tunisian crocheters.

My other passion is crochet cables; and over the last two years, I have made and documented swatches for 28 different techniques. In addition, I joined the CGOA Education Committee and help assist in moderating online classes.” A learner herself, Katy enjoyed learning to knit in 2020!

Today, I continue to assist CGOA with technical expertise as part of the Website Committee. I have taught a CGOA class for Chapter Presidents to learn about the new CGOA Community aspect of the new computer platform.

Katy has an extensive educational background that has been an exceptional gift to CGOA for all its members! “I am a research atmospheric scientist and instructional designer by formalized training. As part of my meteorology studies, I had to be proficient in a computer programming language. I learned how to provide appropriate educational experiences by making online websites for audiences ranging from “K to Gray” with an emphasis on teachers and corporate training."

Crochet Passion

She explained to me how crochet is unique to her life:
“Crochet is extremely fun, and I love wearing the results of my work. When I explain that my garment is crocheted to those who compliment me, they are surprised to learn that it is not ‘knitted or store-bought.’ I hope I am challenging stereotypes by wearing crochet that is ‘chic’ not ‘dowdy!’” Katy shares that she “loves cats and they enrich her personal life as evidenced in the name of her website: https://crochetkitties.com

Since Katy is retired, she volunteers with fiber arts organizations. She just finished being a board member for the Handweavers Guild of Boulder.

To learn more about Katy Ginger, CGOA Heroine, visit her at:

https://crochetkitties.com
Katy's Ravelry design is: https://www.ravelry.com/kginger

CGOA shares a debt of gratitude to Katy and hopes she will be an inspiration to other members who have skills they would love to share as volunteers!