Yesterday I went to the Harrow Fair to pick up my entries in the knitting section of the homecrafts division. Harrow is a really lovely little fair, with lots of categories to enter including adorable kids crafts, gorgeous photography and art, and breathtaking quilts. I had only entered two pieces, my white mohair Irtfa'a and my Noro ten stitch twist. I do this for fun, and to hang out with my good friend Mary Jane who is one kick-butt knitter.
Mary Jane had entered a beautiful lace tunic, a black cobweb lace piece (couldn't tell if it was a shawl or a stole because the display was so bunched) beaded socks that won Shall We Knit's sock design contest last year, and a pair of Estonian socks she knit under the tutelage of Nancy Bush at Sock Summit.
We were both surprised at the judging. I went to see Mary Jane before going to the fair and she didn't say a lot about it. No wonder. A sherbet orange acrylic cape beat out both our lace pieces and her Estonian socks lost to self-patterning sock yarn and some worsted weight acrylic knit into long lace stockings.
You know, it was just so ridiculous that we both were laughing our heads off. My suspicion is that the judge wasn't knowledgeable enough to appreciate the nuances of our work. That sounds like ego talking which is why both Mary Jane and I were glad to have someone else confirm this opinion.
Oh well, it was still a great day at the fair, hanging out with Jim and have a gut-busting laugh with my knit-pal. Let's do it again next year!!
That's ridiculously insane!!!
ReplyDeleteBut I can see how you would bust a gut laughing. Please know that I think you are the bestest knitter EVER. Really. :)
Worsted weight...acrylic...lace...stockings?!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWhoa.
Yeah, that's pretty funny. Sad, but funny.
Makes me think of the Sticks and String podcasts when David Reidy and his friend Sally reviewed the winners at a big fair in Australia. There were so many tongue-in-cheek comments that the whole thing was a comedy.
I was once part of a panel of three judges in a craft competition and was appalled to find that my colleagues dismissed an exquisite quiviut lace scarf as though it were a bit of rag. Took a little doing but I managed to convince them that this piece deserved to be in the winner's circle.Interesting that it got the most attention from the public of the winning pieces.
ReplyDeleteI can relate! I question the ability of our fair judges too. I got a red ribbon on the socks I entered this year because "my kitchener stitching was too tight". The only problem is, I didn't do any kitchener stitch on the socks at all. I did the 3-needle bind off for my toes. LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm guessing the judge was not even a knitter!
ReplyDelete[hehehe] Reminds me a little of last year's judging too!
ReplyDeleteI will be entering some items in the Ilderton Fall Fair this year. Last year Kat and I larfed hard too when this horrid acrylic stockinette stitch jacket with a tiny bit of fair isle beat out my blood, sweat and tears cables and bobbles sweater!
It'll be interesting to see what happens this year! They don't want me entering any more blackforest cakes that's for sure - they eliminated the category LOL!
Those small town people sure love their acrylic
ReplyDeleteThe same thing happens at our Los Angeles County Fair. Dorky and predictable entries that are Annie's Attic patterns in acrylic always end up winning prizes! We need to lobby for knowledgeable judges across the country!
ReplyDeleteWow, I guess that's part of the reason why I don't even bother to enter stuff.
ReplyDeleteThat's too funny! Isn't that why you stopped entering the one in London - or do they do it still?
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had fun just the same. . . and we all know who the better knitters are anyway!!
I just entered some items to our fair also, for the first time ever. I entered my version of your Fibre Fish and won first prize! (Five firsts in all) However, a pair of socks that I entered received nothing, and the pair that won, was made with pink worsted acrylic, in a ribbed pattern, with two brown stipes at the top. Mine were done toe-up here: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/LoopyKnitter/true-love-socks. I don't think they'd ever seen a pair of toe-up socks before. That's just my hunch. However, I can't complain too much. :)
ReplyDeleteI have had the same experience as well but I keep entering anyways. I figure the real fun is in displaying our work for others to enjoy!
ReplyDelete