Skein & Garment Competition

Rules

General Requirements

Please read all requirements.

1. All entries must have been completed since the 2012 festival and be clean and odor-free.
2. An entry will only be accepted in one class and no more than two entries per class will be accepted from an individual.
3. “Wool” is the product of a sheep.
4. All entries must be at least 50% wool except for classes T01-T05 and T80-T84 which must be 100% wool.
5. All entries must include:
   • Fee of $3 per entry from anyone over the age of 18. Make checks payable to Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. (There is a $25 fee for any returned check.)
   • A completed entry form. Multiple entries from an individual may be on one entry form.
   • A small return address label with entrant’s name and address for each entry. Please be sure this name matches the entrant on the entry form.
   • 3x5 card for each entry with:
     • The class name and number;
     • Age of entrant if 18 or under;
     • Fiber content, including breed if known; and
     • Producer of fiber if it was from a Maryland sheep or owned by a member of the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association
6. Hangers and display equipment will not be accepted. If sculptural entry, all pieces must be securely attached.
7. Entries are accepted Friday, May 3, 2013 at the Fairgrounds between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM. Late submissions will not be accepted. If the 1:00 PM deadline cannot be met, mail entries.
8. Mailed entries should be sent to:
   Skein and Garment Competition

   PO Box 6844

   Ellicott City, MD 21042
   
   They must be received no later than Wednesday, May 1, 2013. Inquiries can be made to skeinandgarment@sheepandwool.org.
9. Judging will take place Friday, May 3rd, 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. Entry fees will not be refunded for disqualified items. 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.
10. The building will close at 3:30 pm and entries will not be released under any circumstances before 4:30 pm on Sunday, May 5, and must be claimed by 5:30 pm that evening. Entries 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 ($15.00), Second Place ($10.00), and Third Place ($5.00). Ribbons will be awarded for First through Fifth Place.

Special Prizes

All are $25.00 cash awards or gift certificates unless otherwise noted.

Best in Show - donated by Cloverhill Yarn Shop of Baltimore, MD ($50.00 gift certificate)

Best Woven Article - donated by The Weavers Guild of Greater Baltimore

Best Handspun Skein - donated by Ed, Chris, & Pat Hyland in memory of Jane Hyland

Best Handspun Article - donated by Ed, Chris, & Pat Hyland in memory of Jane Hyland

Best Handspun 2-ply yarn spun on a drop Spindle - donated by Chrissy & Bill Bellows

Best Basket of Yarn - donated by The Waterford Weavers

Best Junior Spinner - donated by Waterford Weavers Gallery

Best Novelty Skein - donated by The Waterford Weavers

Best Novice Skein from Maryland Wool - donated by the Weavers Guild of Greater Baltimore

Best Novice Spinner - donated by the Weavers Guild of Greater Baltimore

Best Junior Fiber Artist - donated by Sandy Springs Friends School

Best Hand-Knitted Article - donated by The Central Maryland Knitting Guild

Best Sweater Knitted from Commercial Yarn - donated by The Central Maryland Knitting Guild in memory of Renee Ashby

Best Knitting for Dolls and Bears (in memory of Lynna Babs Spornick) donated by The Central Maryland Knitting Guild

Best Innovative Design - donated by The Potomac Fiber Arts Guild

Best Alpaca Garment - donated by Gail Campbell at Ameripaca Alpaca Breeding Co.

Best Alpaca Handspun Skein - donated by Gail Campbell at Ameripaca Alpaca Breeding Co.

Best Hand-knitted Article from Commercial Yarn – donated by Woolstock Knit Shop (gift certificate)

Best Leicester Longwool Skein – donated by Willow Brook Farm

Best Leicester Longwool Article – donated by Willow Brook Farm

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 $100.00 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.

General Instructions for Handspun

1. Each handspun entry must be spun and constructed by the entrant alone except for class T26. (Entries not made entirely from yarn spun by the entrant must be entered in the Commercial Yarn Section.)
2. “Fine” yarn is 20 or more wraps per inch and each skein of fine yarn must weigh at least 1 ounce.
3. “Medium” yarn is 10 to 19 wraps per inch and each skein must weigh at least 2 ounces.
4. “Thick” yarn is less than 10 wraps per inch and each skein must weigh at least 2 ounces.
5. Each skein must be:
   • 1.5 to 2 yards in circumference.
   • Wound neatly with the 2 ends of the skein tied together.
6. Skeins from commercially prepared fiber may only be entered in classes T06, T07, T11, T12, and T13.

General Instructions for Felting

Felted articles (hand-knitted and then felted, handwoven and then felted, felted from fleece, or needle-felted) should be entered in classes T41-T46. Knitted or woven articles that have been fulled, i.e., stitches or warp and weft yarn are readily visible, must be entered in the class of the primary technique.

Classes

Handspun Yarn Section

Skeins - 100% Wool prepared by spinner from raw wool

• T01 Fine singles yarn
• T02 Medium to thick singles yarn
• T03 Fine plied yarn
• T04 Medium plied yarn
• T05 Thick plied yarn

Skeins - at least 50% Wool

• T06 Singles yarn from commercially prepared fibers
• T07 Plied yarn from commercially prepared fibers
• T08 Singles or plied yarn blended by spinner
• T09 Singles or plied yarn natural dyed by spinner
• T10 Singles or plied yarn chemically dyed by spinner
• T11 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.).
• T12 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.
• T13 Handspinners natural colored yarn basket - same as Class T12
• T14 Novice spinner (spinning one year or less) - singles or plied yarn
• T15 Novice spinner using commercially prepared fiber - singles of plied yarn

Hand Knitted Articles

• T16 Garment made from dyed yarn
• T17 Garment made from natural colored yarn
• T18 Wearable accessories
• T19 Blankets, afghans, scarves, shawls
• T20 Miscellaneous

Handwoven Articles

• T21 Garment
• T22 Scarves
• T23 Shawls
• T24 Miscellaneous

Hand Crocheted Articles

• T25 Miscellaneous

Group Articles

• T26 Group-produced article made from handspun yarn. Identify all participants (maximum of four people) and their respective contributions.

Commercial Yarn Section

Hand Knitted Articles

• T27 Garment made from yarn of one color or one multicolored yarn
• T28 Garment made from more than one colored yarn
• T29 Blankets, afghans, scarves, shawls
• T30 Miscellaneous

Handwoven Articles

• T31 Garment
• T32 Scarves
• T33 Shawls
• T34 Miscellaneous

Miscellaneous Techniques

• T35 Crocheted article
• T36 Miscellaneous article using technique other than those listed above (ex: needlepoint, embroidery, etc.)
• T37 Rugs - using any techniques mentioned throughout; small, medium and large
• T38 Knitting for dolls and bears (handspun or commercially produced yarn)
• T39 Wool hooking technique using an original pattern and designs
• T40 Wool hooking technique using bought patterns, kits or preprinted designs

Felting Techniques

• T41 Knitted or woven articles that have been felted – Small
• T42 Knitted or woven articles that have been felted – Medium to Large
• T43 Wet and/or Needle Felted non-wearables/home decor (wall hangings to rugs)
• T44 Wet and/or Needle Felted wearables
• T45 Wet and/or Needle Felted sculptural or figurative articles
• T46 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

• T47 Skein of plied yarn handspun from at least 50% wool and 30% alpaca
• T48 arment 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 T1 through T48 using the same criteria as the Adult Division. Ribbons and cash prizes are the same as the Adult Division.

Mamie Francis Blanket Competition

1. This blanket competition is part of the Skein and Garment Competition and all Skein and Garment Competition rules apply.
2. Both warp and weft in the blanket must be 100% wool except for Class T84.

Classes

• T80 Lap Robe in any weave, 36-50” wide and any length
• T81 Blanket in any weave, larger than 50” wide and any length
• T82 Lap Robe or Blanket in any weave woven by a Junior (18 or under), minimum 36” wide and any length
• T83 Baby Blanket in any weave, less than 36” wide
• T84 Lap Robe or Blanket in any weave or size above made from at least 50% wool

Prizes

• Grand Prize - $300.00
• (4) First Place Awards - $60.00
• (5) Second Place Awards - $40.00
• (5) Third Place Awards – A Year’s subscription to Handwoven Magazine
• Best Blanket Made of Maryland Wool - $100.00

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 $300.00 check donated by the Mamie Francis family. Thank you to the following donors who support this event:

Schacht Spindle Company

The Mannings Handweaving School and Supply Center

Interweave Press

Louet North America

Glimakra USA

In addition, the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival has donated $100.00 for the Best Blanket of Maryland Wool.