As a native Californian, it pains me a little bit to have to brag about Texas, but it would be remiss of me I did not inform my readers of some of the wonderful crochet and fiber happenings in this former republic.

With seven chapters of the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) sprinkled across this large state, (Yarn Addicts Crochet Guild of El Paso, West Side Chain Gang, H-Town Crocheters, Crochet Texas!, Crochet Dreams and Yarn Fetishes, Concho Crochet Connection, Alamo Rows) Texas is tied with California for second in the number of chapters each state is home to, while the State of Washington takes the lead with eight.

In addition to these seven chapters of the CGOA, Texas is also home to the DFW Fiber Fest, an event I was unable to attend this year as a result of personal, non-crochet related obligations. Fiber Fest 2011 is set to run from April 8 to April 10, and if the selection of courses is as good as the previous year’s, I will certainly make every effort to be there.

To commemorate the Lone Star State’s commitment to furthering my favorite craft, I made a new flower pencil to add to the collection I began in honor of Leslie Knopes’ (of Parks and Recreation fame) Galentine’s Day crocheted pencils.

I based the rose on one made by my son’s trumpet teacher’s mother that was included as part of a larger yarn purchase. Sadly she has a progressive neurological disease that has left her unable to crochet, but it is my hope that her crochet spirit continues forward in this rose:

And for anyone who needs just a touch more Texas, I leave you with the following video: