Call it a perfect day!! I went to the Minnesota State Fair today with a wonderful friend, and met others along the way: the weather was picture perfect and the logistics ideal.
The first day of the fair is when you get to see how well your knitting did in terms of ribbons, etc. I feel pretty good about it this year — always surprises (+ and -), but mostly pluses.
Every few years the people who do the displays decide to group things by “theme.” They did it again this year. 🙁 It throws everyone off — you can’t find anything! My friend and I kept saying, “They’ll NEVER find this sweater.” So, we wandered from case to case trying to find our stuff. Eventually we tracked evrything down but there is no way to describe it to others who may want to check out your items.
Lotus Flower did very well and is displayed right next to the gorgeous award winning quilts:
Eala Bhan, Let It Snow, my Double Heelix Socks also got blue ribbons. My red Braided Glory and beaded gloves received second place ribbons. I also got ribbons for my Acanthus, Fiori di Sole, and pink silk One Day Baby Hat.
Great fun was seeing that knitting peep Jimmy (the one I spoke about last week) won a third place for his original design hooded sweater:
Even more fun was seeing that Sally’s Sleeping Baby’s Castle Blanket design was featured and won a ribbon:
Even one of my old designs was seen at the fair (Aubrey Cap):
The brown cabled hat is the Aubrey Cap
Anyway, it was a really fun day and I really enjoyed seeing the beautiful things people made. And what fun eating lots of fair food!!
This is just a quick post before heading to knitting night!
PS: Beverly said, “Congrats on your wins. I wish our fair was like yours. Here you can enter only one item in each category.” That is true at our fair, too. Only one entry allowed per lot.
Congrats on all the ribbons! Your items are gorgeous and the accolades are well-deserved.
Comment by Valerie — August 25, 2011 @ 5:20 pm
How exciting to see *my* knitting on your blog! (I knit the Sleeping Baby’s Castle.) You’ve made my day. 🙂
Congrats on your many ribbons, as usual. So thrilled the One Day Baby Hat won a ribbon – I loved that hat!
Comment by Amy — August 25, 2011 @ 6:23 pm
Congrats on your wins. I wish our fair was like yours. Here you can enter only one item in each category.
Comment by Beverly — August 25, 2011 @ 7:04 pm
Congratulations to Susan — and to Amy!
Comment by surly — August 25, 2011 @ 7:13 pm
Congratulations! They’re all so deserving.
Comment by rudee — August 25, 2011 @ 7:52 pm
Way to represent, girlfriend!
Comment by Cat — August 25, 2011 @ 9:11 pm
Congratulations, Susan! I can’t get to the Fair until Sunday, but I will be on the lookout for your stuff. Always love to see your work on display.
We must have a wider range of lots than other state fairs (particularly those in warmer climates). There are 47 lots just in hand knitting, with additional knitting to be found in other competitions outside of “Needlwork.” I was surprised that the baby hat I entered wasn’t in the Needlework competition, but was instead in Garment Making!
Comment by Rox — August 25, 2011 @ 10:24 pm
Congratulations on all the fine showings! It was so fun to see them all and share in your success and fun!
Comment by Kathy — August 25, 2011 @ 11:34 pm
Congratulations on your success – you are an amazing knitter. Your posting last year about the state fair inspired me to look at our local County Fair (Montgomery County, MD) this year. I didn’t have anything to enter myself (my best knitting this year was given away as gifts), but I encouraged my 16 y.o. son to enter a hat (Undergrowth from Knitty) he knit for his girlfriend. He came away with first place in the 13-17 age category. His guidance counselor at school is ecstatic – something unique to put on his college applications! 😉
Comment by Audrey — August 26, 2011 @ 8:27 am
Congratulations on all the ribbons! I’ll be looking for your beautiful projects when I’m up to the State Fair on Monday. All the beautiful knitting there always inspires me.
Comment by RuthieJ — August 26, 2011 @ 9:45 am
Congratulations, Susan. I’m looking forward to seeing your entries on display at the Fair next week.
Comment by Julie — August 26, 2011 @ 1:47 pm
Congratulations! I’m not surprised you did well, but as always, very happy to see it!
Comment by twinsetellen — August 26, 2011 @ 10:13 pm
Congratulations! I always look forward to your fair posts — to see how you many ribbons you collected on your entries. Bravo! (If I were a judge, you’d win ALL the ribbons. . .)
Comment by Kym — August 29, 2011 @ 7:25 am
Congratulations on all of your well deserved ribbons!!!!!!
Comment by Soo — September 1, 2011 @ 2:05 pm
Many congratulations!! I’ve been extremely busy lately and haven’t been to my favorite blogs much. SO fun to see how well you both did at the fair when I finally found my way over for a visit. Your work is blue ribbon every time!
Comment by twinsetjan — September 3, 2011 @ 6:46 pm
Fun to read about a State Fair. That’s live Americana. Congratulations to all the knitters and other needlework people, whether ribbon winners or not.
Comment by Janet — September 5, 2011 @ 10:33 am
I love your pieces – they are beautiful. Especially love Lotus Flower. I want to try a Niebling. I have Lyra pattern.
Comment by Shauneen Linton — September 8, 2011 @ 10:25 pm