Knitting peep Kim and I always attend the first day of the Minnesota State Fair (this past Thursday), and this year was no different. The day started with torrential rain, thunder and lightning (!). As I prepared to leave the house, I honestly thought we were nuts. However, by the time we got there, the rain had stopped and the weather was wonderful.
We timed it perfectly to be at the Creative Activities Center right as they opened the doors. It is always fun to see everyone’s entries. I must admit that I had the shock of my life.
When we entered the building, there was my Nightingale sweater, front and center wearing a sweepstakes ribbon! I have not yet posted about this project — keeping it under wraps since last October when I first cast on. It was a “holy grail” project, years in the planning/months in the knitting, and will get a post of its own when I pick it up from the fair (I forgot to take good pictures before I took it in!).
Next, Kim and I hunted for my Frosted Ferns — and discovered that it too had won the sweepstakes. Wow. I was stunned.
Elizabeth of York and my Raspberry Beret also took blue ribbons. I was surprised that my little hat did so well! And E of Y was so much work that I was really pleased it scored a blue. I also entered some other items:
Maestro in the upper right corner took 5th place — it looks like someone took it off, wadded it up and threw it onto a pile of other sweaters. Actually, it looks like my bedroom! Moving clockwise, my Ojo de Dios scarf took 2nd, and last was my Sweet-o-fude with a 3rd. I was very happy that they got ribbons.
It was very exciting to see that both Kim and Jimmy won ribbons for their creations. Kim made this gorgeous Christmas stocking for her new grandson, so it has very special meaning. Many of you will recognize Jimmy’s world famous DNA Sweater, which took 2nd place! Yay, peeps!!
What an amazing year. It is humbling and gratifying to get recognition for something that you love to do!!
PS – a friend alerted me to the fact that my sweater was shown on the local news in a story about the weirdest* contests at the fair. I think I should be insulted! 😉 You be the judge! My sweater is on for a mere flash at about the one minute mark.
*They DID say weirdest, but now it says unique. I think they got grief for it and changed it!
There is absolutely nothing shocking about you winning zillions of the bluest ribbons! That nightingale is one of the most incredible knitted things I have ever seen. It is so super splendifically stunning that it beggars belief!!!!!
Comment by Joanna — August 24, 2014 @ 11:10 am
Wow, wow, and wow again, congratulations! Not only blue ribbons but Sweepstakes winners, and well deserved. The Nightingale is spectacular, I’m looking forward to reading all the glorious details – lucky it wasn’t displayed by the same person who scrunched up Maestro, good grief. I didn’t see anything objectionable in the TV report, although the camera could have lingered longer on Nightingale and then swept over some of your other creations (and they could have ditched the two bimbos with the so-not-made-for-TV voices).
Comment by Pru — August 24, 2014 @ 11:35 am
I didn’t see “weird” I saw the word “unique” in the print title, and that is a compliment (which is well-deserved).
Comment by Sigrun — August 24, 2014 @ 12:44 pm
Well deserved kudos! Isn’t it bizarre the way some items are displayed with reverence and some so casually? Could you share the name of the wonderful Christmas stocking? Or can it be tracked down by knowing your friends Rav name? If she is hesitant to do that I can understand.
Comment by skeindalous — August 24, 2014 @ 1:23 pm
I saw most of the items you entered on Thursday also. Wonderful as always. You keep coming up with a body of work in just one year that most of us can’t even hope to mirror in a lifetime.
Comment by Bonnie — August 24, 2014 @ 3:05 pm
Congratulations to you and Kim both! Wow, your knits look wonderful, but then they always are superb…Is your Nightingale Sweater the one you were telling us about at camp?
Comment by Penny — August 24, 2014 @ 6:23 pm
Congratulations! Well deserved ribbons, and Nightingale is spectacular. Actually they all are. The little hat – that change in the ribbing made a beautiful hat perfectly beautiful. I so admire your knitting (both of you!). You knit the way my mother sewed. Customizing, tailoring, fitting perfectly and then beautiful finishing. I thought it was normal until I began to try. I love your blog.
Comment by annie — August 24, 2014 @ 7:45 pm
Congratulations and kudos to you on your beautiful knitting! I always look forward to the Rainey Sisters’ Blog because you both continue to amaze and inspire me with your mastery of the knitting craft. Blogless Mary Lou
Comment by Mary Lou — August 24, 2014 @ 7:52 pm
BRAVO, Susan!!
Comment by Ann McCauley — August 24, 2014 @ 9:10 pm
Love your yearly fair recaps. Beautiful entries (of course) and congratulatory hugs to you, Susan,and to Kim.
Comment by Nancy — August 24, 2014 @ 11:12 pm
I too look forward to your fair post. Your knitting is always a treat and I’m so happy for you. Nice job Susan.
Comment by Sharon — August 24, 2014 @ 11:45 pm
Congratulations! The sweater is gorgeous, and Frosted Ferns too! Thank you ever so much for the pictures. I rarely get to the fair, but I love to see the entries.
Comment by Carolyn — August 25, 2014 @ 9:43 am
Nightingale is on my bucket list – as is Oregon. If they turn out even 1/4 as nice as yours I’ll be very pleased indeed. Congratulations!
Comment by Suzan — August 25, 2014 @ 9:50 am
Well done! Having the same name, I bask in your reflected glory!
Comment by Mandy Rainey — August 25, 2014 @ 10:04 am
Will be traveling from Iowa to see the knitting at the MN fair – Iowa’s state fair knitting pales in comparison. Had seen you won big and I was certainly hopeful I wouldn’t have to wait in suspense to see your winning entries. Thanks for posting. They are beautiful and inspiring for knitters who need to be more motivated.
Comment by suzan — August 25, 2014 @ 10:57 am
I have been waiting for your Fair post after hearing in class that you had entered a few items. All your work and frustration were worth it. Congratulations! (I’m on chart D of my Hito)
Comment by Judy — August 25, 2014 @ 5:09 pm
Congrats to you! All incredibly well deserved. And yeah for your friends too!
Comment by Beth — August 25, 2014 @ 5:54 pm
My husband, bless his heart, always tries to figure out the entries in the Creative Arts building, although other than watching me knit for 44 years, he knows nothing about it. This year, he came upon The Nightingale, and said: “Susan Rainey”, isn’t she someone very famous?” I’m not sure what he was thinking of, but he’s probably right, after this years showing!
Comment by Ellen — August 26, 2014 @ 3:58 pm
Susan,
Again, what fabulous work. Your nightingale just blew me away. And to think that you started with a design on a pair of stockings!
It appears that the judges didn’t know what they were looking at with your Sweet-o-fude. I looked at it on your Ravelry page, and think that is really some accomplishment to start with a shawl design and translate it into a sweater and a really gorgeous one at that. It probably should have been on a dress form to show it off better. Certainly it was worth a blue ribbon!
Anyway, great job(s) and congrats again!
Millie
Comment by Millie — August 31, 2014 @ 6:21 am
Was on vacation and missed this post. Congratulations! It must have been a thrill to be on TV. I don’t think they actually said ‘weirdest’ but it might have come out like that unintentionally. I think. Nevertheless, seeing it was pretty spectacular.
Comment by Chloe — September 1, 2014 @ 7:11 pm
I don’t think I have ever seen a more beautiful sweater than your Nightingale. The originally charted bird patterns were a nice starting point, but your complete design beaded edges left me breathless. It is every bit 100/100, best in show. Masterpiece.
Comment by Greta — December 27, 2017 @ 1:44 am