Handspun Yarn Show & Contest
(rules subject to change – please check back often before the festival)
Any fiber artist is very welcome to enter these contests at the Festival! There are, however, certain fiber content requirements--see “Entries” below.
Times: Bring your entries to the Yarn Show Tent between 9:00 and 10:00 AM on Saturday. No late entries will be accepted. Judging will begin at 10:00 AM on Saturday, and the Show will be open for viewing when the judging is completed.
Fees: $2 per skein for non-MAVWA members; $1 per skein for MAVWA members who are not booth vendors; No fee for Wool Festival booth vendors
Entries: An entry shall consist of one skein, which shall weigh at least one and one half ounces. No limit on the number or type of skeins that each spinner may enter. All yarn entered must have been spun since Wool Festival 2008.
Fiber Content: Because we wish to showcase Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas fibers, and improve the marketing opportunities for them, all animal fibers in the skeins must be grown in CO, NM or TX. You may enter yarns that are blended or plied with non-animal fibers if at least 60% by weight is CO, NM, TX animal fiber.
There will be four Divisions: Expert Division, Novice Division, Drop/Hand Spindle Division, and a separate Novelty/Designer Division (in addition to the Novelty Classes under the Novice and Expert Divisions).
EXPERT Division: for spinners of any age who have won prior awards, spin professionally, or want to test acquired skill.
NOVICE Division: for spinners of any age, new to spinning, or are just getting back to the wheel or spindle.
Expert & Novice Division Classes:
- Wool, natural or dyed, single ply, smooth and even.
- Wool, natural or dyed, multiple ply, smooth and even.
- Mohair, natural or dyed, single ply, smooth and even.
- Mohair, natural or dyed, multiple ply, smooth and even.
- Angora Rabbit, natural or dyed, single or multiple ply, smooth and even.
- Alpaca, natural or dyed, single or multiple ply, smooth and even.
- Llama, natural or dyed, single or multiple ply, smooth and even.
- Other CO/NM/TX animal fibers, natural or dyed, single or multiple ply, smooth and even. (Dog, Buffalo, Cashmere, Cashgora, Jack-a-lope, etc.)
- Blends, natural or dyed, single or multiple ply, smooth and even.
- Novelty, any fiber or combination of fibers, single or multiple ply.
Drop/Hand Spindle Division: The best yarn spun on a drop or hand spindle. Open to Novice and Expert spinners. Single-ply yarn of CO/NM/TX wool or wool blend, natural or dyed, smooth and even yarn, spun on a drop spindle or hand spindle.
Novelty/Designer Division: open to all ages and skill levels, and has separate classes and judging criteria from the other divisions. We've developed the NOVELTY / DESIGNER Division with an eye on releasing the wild beast of creativity that lies latent in the heart of many a spinner. Judging emphasis in the NOVELTY / DESIGNER Division is on the artistic merits of the yarn, with only a few points given for the technical aspects of cleanliness and suitability. For those spinners of novelty yarns who would like a more technical appraisal of their skills, there is still a Novelty Class (# 10) in the Expert & Novice Divisions. Classes in this division are as follows:
Singles Yarns: (Slubs, Lock Spun, Tweeds, Garneted, Spaced Dyed, etc.)
- Natural Colored.
- Dyed.
- Blended Fibers*.
Plied: (as above, plus Core spun, Spiral, Boucle, Knot, Tufted, Crepe, etc)
- Natural Colored.
- Dyed.
- Blended Fibers*.
*Blends and novelty yarns must be at least 60% CO/NM/TX animal fiber, combined with a non-animal fiber, or may be a combination of two or more different CO/NM/TX animal fibers
Classes may be combined or further divided based on the number of entries. Both the judge and the superintendent of the Yarn Show have the option to change the class designation of a skein if they determine the skein has been entered in the wrong class. Please read the criteria carefully.
Judging Criteria: Yarns in the Expert and Novice Divisions will be judged on (1) Suitability of yarn for its intended use as stated on the entry form, (2) Consistency of twist, control of size and strength, (3) Preparation-- cleanliness, distribution of color, etc., (4) Hand and finish -- feel of the finished yarn, correct skeining and finishing.
Yarns in the Novelty/Designer Division will be judged on (1) Choice/Use of Color, (2) Choice/Use of Texture, (3) Originality/Inspiration of Design, (4) Cleanliness and Suitability for intended use.
Awards: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons in each Class of Expert, Novice, and Novelty/Designer Division. Grand and Reserve Champion ribbons in each Division above as well. Silver Medallion for Best of Show in each Division. Drop/Hand Spindle Division Award: One-of-a-Kind Hand/Drop Spindle made by Magpie Woodworks
Labels: When you bring your entries to the Yarn Tent, you will fill out a label for each skein indicating spinner's name and address, class and division, origin of fiber and the use for which the yarn is intended. If you have someone else bring your skeins, be sure to furnish him/her with all this info. You or your rep will also be required to sign a liability release if you have not already done so in connection with another part of the Festival.
Sales: There will be no sales directly from the Yarn Show. Potential buyers will be directed to the booth of the spinner. Buyers may not take delivery before 4:30 PM on Sunday. Because Festival rules disallow sales except by licensed booth vendors, Yarn Show entrants who are not booth vendors cannot sell skeins at the Festival.
Entry Release: Entries must remain on display for the entire Festival. You may pick them up between 3:30 and 4:30 PM on Sunday. MAVWA cannot be responsible for skeins remaining in the Show Tent after 4:30!! Please note that we can no longer return any entries by mail, so please make sure that if you do not pick up your skeins yourself, someone does for you.