theraineysisters knitting and so much more

Yesterday was the first day of the Minnesota State Fair.  My annual routine is to head to the Fair with knitting peep, Kim, where we await the opening of the Creative Activities Bldg doors at 9 am in anticipation, eager to see how we did with our entries.  Not this year.

A work snafu brought on by some incompetent boob (okay, it was me ) meant that I had to work.  Not only WORK, but get to work by 6 am !!  Kim decided she might as well go to work, too, so we met up at about 4:30.  Some of my other friends came along (including “The Other Susan”), so it was quite a fun afternoon-evening, although I was already crispy fried like a nice calamari.

Kim and I agreed to enter the building as “results virgins” and not look up the results on line ahead of time – we both kept our promise.  It is always a challenge to find everything and this year was no different, especially since I could not remember what I entered!  Really sad, I know.  Kim had entered four items and I entered seven.  Finally found them all.  Here is an overview:

I entered:

Moose River Cowl – 1st
Burr Cardigan – 1st
Inggun – 1st
Icicle Hat – 1st
Lyra Shawl – 2nd
Sock Monkey Project Bag – 3rd (yay – recognition for a Sock Monkey!!)
Pueblo Stole (entered as scarf) – nada

The Moose River Cowl was a last minute throw in – I expected to get nothing for it, but it won a blue!  I was shocked.  My High Country Pueblo stole was a lot of work and came up short — you really never know what will win!  Honestly, there are so many wonderful knitters in Minnesota and fabulous entries, it is truly an honor to win any ribbons.

It took me a while to realize it, but my Inggun vest was displayed wrong side out.  Kind of weird because it is highly cabled around the neck so it seemed pretty obvious which was the right side.  They did change it upon request.  I got to step into the display area to assist!   It is fixed in the picture above.

Lyra came in second to the sweepstakes grand champion: a large, traditional, Shetland-style shawl that is simple and elegant, in cobweb laceweight.  Not a surprise!  I was thrilled to get 2nd.  I was also thrilled that my Sock Monkey Project Bag received a ribbon – you rock, Lil Sock Monkey, you rock!!

Kim did EXTREMELY well!!  She received 1-2-3-3 place ribbons.  I do not have a picture of her linen-stitch scarf, but here are the rest.  Can you tell she has a new grandson to knit for?

Romper in sockweight, Monkey Hat, Bubbles Baby Blanket

Kim’s mom also entered for the first time and won several ribbons this year!  Yay!!

By the time we left the fair, I was afraid I would not be able to get my sorry [edited to maintain PG rating] off the Sky Ride, but I did and got home after a long and action-packed day.  Whew!

Matt Cooke Update: Matt is 4 for 4 as King of the Mountain.  One more mountain stage to go tomorrow — it is likely that if he simply finishes the race he will win overall King of the Mountain, in the toughest race in the US.  We could not be prouder of Matt!  You go, Cookie (aka “Hotpants” 😉 )!!  We love you!