Unsung Heroines #6

Jan Bass

By Gwen Blakley Kinsler

crochetkween@gmail.com

Over many years, Jan Bass, a long-time member of the Bay Area Rapid Crocheters Chapter of CGOA (BARC), has set a high bar for how the love of crochet has led her to singing the joy, doing charity crochet, designing patterns, and teaching anyone who is interested in learning how!

She was an active crocheter in the 1970s and says, “I enjoyed the relaxing rhythm of crochet, the joy of learning a craft that connected me with my grandmother and aunt, and the excitement of creating doilies, blankets, and even a tablecloth that is still hibernating.” She continued to crochet regularly until the 1990s when her son was born. It was 2004 when she returned to crocheting!

Before learning about CGOA, Jan had a very active crochet life! Around 2010 when she was still working, Jan started a lunch-time craft group. “We’d work on our chosen crafts together and sometimes a knitter or I would teach a certain’ bi-stitchural ‘ skill.”

Jan explains, “I Joined a library group in 2019 that shared skills in needle and related fiber arts. At the meetings we offer open stitching sessions that alternate with a skill lesson every other month. I introduced the group to Amigurumi crochet and Granny Squares and have been the leader since 2020. This group continues to meet and reach people who are interested in crochet or any other fiber crafts; and it is free to any participants.”

First and foremost, Jan has been a member of the Bay Area Rapid Crocheters Chapter (BARC) since 2008, even before she attended her first Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) conference in 2015.  She first heard about the CGOA from the LYS she frequented when the owner told her that a group of crocheters met there regularly. When she first joined the group, Jan heard about an upcoming local yarn festival and attended with excitement.  She recalls, “It opened up a new world of crochet; and I joined Guild just a couple of months after that first meeting.”

Jan earned a BS degree in Administration and Accounting from Cal State University at Hayward. She says, “While working for one of the seminaries in Berkeley, I also received my Master of Divinity degree in 1981. For 34 years, I worked for the County, and I think that my pastoral education was an asset that assisted me to be fair and caring to those I supervised.”

Her background growing up is how Jan describes how she was led to enjoy volunteering:

“My mother and father both influenced me because they were both long-time volunteers. Mother was a Girl Scout leader and a PTA mom. My father was a long-time volunteer in various capacities with an organization that served un-housed people. Aside from volunteering for crochet causes, I have been very active in my local church; I currently serve as Treasurer.  When my son was in high school, I was a Band Mom for his Marching Band which included making beanies in the school colors!”

Since 2008, Jan has also been a member of Ravelry.com; you can find her there where she shows her sense of humor as TeaLover! She serves as a Volunteer Editor, helping to add patterns to the database and update existing listings. She shares how she chose her avatar, “I love nothing more than crocheting with a cup of tea while listening to jazz!” I asked Jan about these three passions and if she has musical talents? She answered, “Sadly, I have no musical talents, but I play the radio well!"

I love tea and have an entire cabinet dedicated to teas and tea accessories; my favorites teas are Darjeeling and Assam. When the CGOA conference was in Charleston SC in 2016, I had the opportunity to visit a tea plantation by booking a tour!”

 When Jan talks about having attended conferences and chapter meetings, she has this to share, “Others of my chapter have often attended the conferences, too. Each month in the BARC we share crochet and CGOA news; latest trends, so I am always on the lookout!

Attending conferences and having access as a member to crochet.org is a great way to be in the know; and it is a great way to get to know others. My chapter is a proud affiliate of CGOA and I maintain BARC’s annual renewal”. 

More recently, Jan has attended two of the new format Ch Sp Retreats: Connecticut (2024) and Reno (2025). She enjoys the intimate settings and lodging. Even though she is an experienced crocheter, she says, “I can always learn something new!” I was interested in charities to which Jan has actively donated. “I especially find joy in making and sharing chemo hats, prayer shawls, toy bears and even KnockersTM for groups where they are needed. It brings a smile to my face when I see photos of the children who have received the bears! I have made over 500 of the eight to nine-inch bears!

In 2016 our chapter got enthused about making small chickens inspired by the “emotional support chicken trend.

Jan describes how rewarding her membership in CGOA and BARC has been:

“I have gained friends, a community, and look forward to getting together with other crocheters. I have expanded my skills and am willing to try new things. I took the opportunity to challenge myself by completing two of the Masters programs (Advanced Stitches and Techniques and Vintage Basic Thread Crochet.)” At a CGOA conference, I took a Craft Yarn Council (CYC) class to become a certified crochet teacher which I completed later the same year. Teaching crochet and helping others expand their skills is very rewarding to me.”

As we were ending our conversation, I asked Jan if she had discovered anything about crochet that is unique to her or her Life:

“Attending the International conventions of The Science Fiction and Fantasy Society (World Con) is a “privilege that my family enjoys together.” Ever the crochet promoter, Jan even volunteered to lead the Crochet Component of the event in Wellington, NZ which was converted to a virtual meeting in 2020.

Dalinda Dragon Scarf was made to wear at the 2020 World Con held in Welington, NZ.

Editor’s Note: I appreciate that another long-time member of Jan’s chapter, Bonnie Pollard, reached out to me and suggested I get to know her for this Blog!