Skein & Garment Competition

Rules

All articles and skeins must be at least 50% wool. Wool is defined as fiber produced from the fleece of sheep. Please note the exceptions in the Handspun Yarn Section (Classes 1 - 5) and in the Mamie Francis Blanket Competition (Classes B1 - B5), where 100% wool is required. For the Alpaca Special Prizes, articles must be 50% wool and 50% alpaca.
Work must be new, i.e., completed since the 2008 Festival, clean, and free of all odors. All work submitted must be independently created by the participant (unless noted in the rules) and not the product of a workshop.
Each handspun article (garment or other article) must be spun and constructed by the entrant alone except for Class 38. Articles not made entirely from yarn spun by the entrant must be entered in the Commercial Yarn Section.
Felted articles (hand-knitted and then felted, handwoven and then felted, felted from fleece, and needle-felted) should be entered in classes 42 - 46. Knitted or woven articles that have been fulled, i.e., stitches or warp and weft yarn can still be seen, must be entered in Classes 35 or 36, or in the class of the primary technique.
Each skein must contain a minimum of 2 ounces of handspun fiber for thick and medium, and 1 ounce for fine. Each skein must be 1½ to 2 yards in circumference, wound neatly, and tied loosely in at least 3 places with a figure 8 tie of fine string. Failure to do so will disqualify the skein. Skeins spun from commercially prepared fiber may be entered only in Classes 6, 7, 12 & 13. If sculptural entry, all pieces must be attached to make up one unit.
An article may be entered in only one class. A maximum of two entries per class will be accepted from each entrant. There is an entry fee of $3 per skein or article. Make checks payable to Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. There is a $25 fee for any returned check. No entry fee is required for Junior (18 or under) entries.
All entries - whether submitted by mail or at the Festival - must include the following: a completed entry form (see page 139); a self-sticking address label for each article, with your name, address, and telephone number, so that viewers may identifiy your article after the judging; and a note (preferably on a 3x5 card) for each article. The following information must be included on each card:
1. class name and number;
2. a brief description including fiber content;
3. specific intended use;
4. fiber preparation, spinning and finishing techniques used
5. sheep breed if known and a lock of fleece if available;
6. indicate whether the article was commercially prepared in any way;
7. age of entrant if 18 or under;
8. indicate if the yarn was spun from a Maryland sheep or a sheep owned by a member of the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association and identify the producer. Do not include hangers or display equipment.
Entries are accepted Friday, May 1, 2009, between 9 am and 1 pm at the Fairgrounds. Late submissions will not be accepted. If the 1 pm deadline cannot be met, mail entries.
Mailed articles should be sent to the address below. They must be received no later than April 30, 2009 and must include entry fee. Articles will not be returned by mail.
Judging will take place Friday, May 1, in the afternoon and evening. The judges have the right to shift entries to more appropriate classes. Judges are not required to award all ribbons if, in their opinions, the entries are not of appropriate quality. Judges' decisions are final. All entries will be displayed uncovered but supervised during Festival hours. The Festival will make every effort to display and care for the entered pieces but assumes no responsibility for damage or loss.
The building will close at 3:30 pm and entries will not be released before 4:30 pm on Sunday, May 3, and must be claimed by 5:30 pm that evening. Articles not picked up will become the property of the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association, Inc.

Premiums

Cash prizes will be awarded in each class for

First Place ($15)
Second Place ($10)
Third Place ($5)

Ribbons will be awarded for First through Fifth Place.

Special Prizes

All are $25 cash awards or gift certificates unless otherwise noted.

Best in Show - donated by Cloverhill Yarns of Baltimore, MD ($50 gift certificate)
Best Woven Article - donated by The Weavers Guild of Greater Baltimore
Best Handspun Skein - donated by The Weavers Guild of Greater Baltimore
Best Handspun 2-ply yarn spun on a drop Spindle - donated by Chrissy & Bill Bellows
Best Handspun Article - donated by The Cloverhill Spinners
Best Basket of Yarn - donated by The Waterford Weavers, Waterford, VA
Best Novice Skein from Maryland Wool - donated by The Drafting Zone, in memory of Marianne Franklin
Best Novice Spinner - donated by The Chesapeake Spinners & Weavers
Best Junior Fiber Artist - donated by Sandy Spring Friends School
Best Junior Knitted Article - donated by The Leslie Woodward Memorial
Best Junior Spinner - donated by Waterford Weavers, Waterford, VA
Best Hand-Knitted Article - donated by The Central Maryland Knitting Guild
Best Sweater Knitted from Commercial Yarn - donated by Fiberworks of Ashton, MD
Best Knitting for Dolls and Bears - donated by The Central Maryland Knitting Guild, in memory of Lynna Babs Spornick
Best Innovative Design - donated by The Potomac Craftsmen
Best Hat - donated by The Weavers Guild of Greater Baltimore
Best Alpaca Garment - donated by Gail Campbell at Ameripaca Alpaca Breeding Co. ($50)
Best Alpaca Handspun Skein - donated by Gail Campbell at Ameripaca Alpaca Breeding Co. ($50)
Best Hand-knitted article from commercial yarn - donated by Woolstock Knit Shop
Best Natural Dyed Article or Skein - donated by Michelle Lee McDaniel as the Marilyn M. Lee Memorial Prize
Best Original Fashion Forward Article / Felted technique - Miriam Carter Felt Maker, donation of 1lb. of fiber to be picked up at her booth during the Festival

Maryland Sheep Breeders Association Prizes

Any yarn spun from a Maryland sheep or a sheep owned by a member of the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association is eligible for the following:

Best of Maryland Wool - Skein
Best of Maryland Wool - Article
Best of Maryland Wool - Producer

The “Freddie” Award

This is a $100 cash award for the weaver of the most unusual handwoven article in the show. This award is funded by an endowment from the family and friends of Mary Frederika Pfeiffer, an avid Festival supporter. The “Freddie” Award will continue her encouragement of excellence in creative handweaving.

Classes

Handspun Yarn Section

Skeins - 100% Wool

prepared by spinner from raw wool (fine is 20 or more wraps per inch, medium is 10 to 19, thick is less than 10)

1. Fine singles yarn
2. Medium to thick singles yarn
3. Fine plied yarn
4. Medium plied yarn
5. Thick plied yarn

Skeins - at least 50% Wool

6. Singles yarn from commercially prepared fibers
7. Plied yarn from commercially prepared fibers
8. Singles or plied yarn blended by spinner
9. Singles or plied yarn natural dyed by spinner
10. Singles or plied yarn chemically dyed by spinner
11. Novelty yarn. To qualify as Novelty, the yarn must be spun using a defined technique and be well constructed (examples are bouclé, corespun, tufted, etc.).
12. Handspinners dyed yarn basket - a minimum of one pound of yarn spun in any manner for use in one project displayed in a basket. Include a description of the fiber techniques used to spin the yarn and its intended use. A pattern, sketch or sample swatch of the project must be displayed. this class will be judged on craftsmanship and creativity.
13. Handspinners natural colored yarn basket - same as Class 12
14. Novice spinner (spinning one year or less) - singles or plied yarn
15. Novice spinner using commercially prepared fiber-singles of plied yarn.

Hand Knitted Articles

16. Garment made from yarn of one color or one multi-colored yarn
17. Garment made from more than one colored yarn
18. Garment made from natural colored yarn
19. Wearable accessories
20. Blankets, afghans, scarves, shawls
21. Miscellaneous

Handwoven Articles

22. Small to medium garment
23. Large garment
24. Blankets, afghans, scarves, shawls
25. Miscellaneous

Commercial Yarn Section

Hand Knitted Articles

26. Garment made from yarn of one color or one multicolored yarn
27. Garment made from more than one colored yarn
28. Blankets, afghans, scarves, shawls
29. Miscellaneous

Handwoven Articles

30. Small to medium garment
31. Large garment
32. Blankets, afghans, scarves, shawls
33. Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous Section

Miscellaneous Techniques

34. Sewn Garment - made from commercially produced fabrics
35. Combination of techniques - small to medium article
36. Combination of techniques - large article
37. Crocheted article
38. Group-produced article made from handspun yarn. Identify all participants (maximum of four people) and their respective contributions to the finished piece. Purchased yarn may not be used.
- a. Knitted article
- b. Woven article
39. Miscellaneous article using technique(s) other than those listed above (e.g., locker hooking, needlepoint, embroidery)
40. Rugs - using any techniques mentioned through out; small, medium and large
41. Knitting for dolls and bears (handspun or commercially produced yarn)

Felting Techniques

42. Knitted & fulled articles
- a. Small
- b. Medium to large

43. Felted non-wearables/home decor (wall hangings to rugs). Techniques to include wet felting and/or needle felting techniques.
44. Felted wearables using wet felting and/or needle felting techniques
45. Sculptural or figurative articles using traditional wet or needle felting techniques
46. Fiber Jewelry to include felted techniques, knitting and other needle work, beading may be included but not the primary technique of the article.

Special Classes

47. Hats using any technique or combination of techniques
48. Skein of plied yarn handspun from at least 50% wool and 30% alpaca
49. Garment made from handspun or commercially spun yarn at least 50% wool and 30% alpaca

Junior Division

Participants must be 18 years old or younger. The Junior Division is composed of Classes 1 through 49 and B5 (see Mamie Francis Blanket Competition, next page) using the same criteria as the Adult Division. Ribbons and cash prizes are the same as the Adult Division.

Mamie Francis Blanket Competition

Rules

This blanket competition is part of the Skein and Garment Competition and all Skein and Garment Competition rules apply except Rule 1.
Entries in this blanket competition must be accompanied by the completed Skein and Garment Competition Form.
Both warp and weft in the blanket must be 100% wool.
blankets entered must have been completed after the 2008 Festival.

Classes

B-1. Lap Robe in plain weave, 36-50" wide, any length
B-2. Lap Robe in weave other than plain weave, 36-50" wide, any length
B-3. Blanket in plain weave, larger than 50" wide, any length
B-4. Blanket in weave other than plain weave, larger than 50" wide, any length
B-5. Lap Robe or Blanket in any weave woven by a Junior (18 or under), minimum 36" wide, any length

Prizes

Grand Prize $500
(4) First Place Awards $100
Best All-Maryland Award $100

There will be five classes. A first place blanket will be selected in each class. From these first place blankets, a grand prize winner will be selected to receive a $500 check donated by the Mamie Francis family. The other four first place winners will each receive $100 checks; these prizes were donated by:

Harrisville Designs $100
Interweave Press $100
Louet North America $100
The Mannings $100
In addition, the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival has donated $100 for the Best Blanket Woven by a Maryland Resident Using Maryland Wool

2009 Skein and Garment Competition

Make checks payable to: Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival There will be a $25 additional fee for any check returned for any reason.

Mail entries to:

Betsy Szkil

Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival Skein & Garment Competition

PO Box 6031

Ellicott City, MD 21042 USA

mbszkil@msn.com