There are two kinds of Christmas people: the ones who open their presents on Christmas Eve and the ones who wait until Christmas morning. We were Christmas morning people. One year, we decided to honor the other tradition and we opened all of our gifts on Christmas Eve. The next morning, I was so disappointed: where was everything? Somehow, I had expected presents to be “re-stocked” and that there would be more gifts to unwrap. But of course there were no extra presents. My husband comes from Christmas Eve people, but I refuse to let their tradition taint our home!
What does that have to do with August and the Minnesota State Fair? Well, yesterday I wrote that the anticipation of wondering if your knitting got a ribbon made it all the more fun. The state fair posts the results on-line. A few years ago, the results were available the NIGHT BEFORE the fair opened! I read the results — I knew how my stuff did before I got there. Bummer!! It was not as much fun. But the temptation was too much for me!
Well, this morning, the results were up before I left for the fair. So I could have read them before I left. I DID read about the baking results because my friend entered some cookies and bars — she won a ribbon, BTW:
The ones with the pink ribbon are hers!
But for my stuff, I knew better than to read about it ahead of time, and I was glad I waited. I walked in through the back way and right in front of me was this:
I just burst into tears! I was so expecting it to be overlooked. It was entered in the “Table Linens” category and up against very lacy and lovely crochet and tatting. I did not know what to expect, so I was very, very pleased!
PS — Twinsetellen commented that she went to the fair and saw Lyra and wondered why it was displayed with the purl side up (i.e, wrong side up)! I looked at a close up photo that I took and sure enough, they are displaying the wrong side. I wondered why it looked “rougher” to me than I remembered! I’ll need to mention this to the fair people when I go back. Jeesh! My eyesight needs a tune up…
Around the corner I found my Roslin Hoodie:
Can you believe the mannequin? Such a dramatic pose! 😉
Again, I was very pleased to see that it did so well. Off in another case was my Mystic Waters Shawl:
Yes, a second place — which thrilled me especially when I saw how it looked hung up like an old dishrag. I think this shawl would show better in a richer, more vibrant color, but too late now! So, those are my results this year.
The big thrill was seeing Kim’s sweater, decked out in all of its child-sized glory:
Again, why does it look like it was made for infant Quasimodo?
She made a beautiful Dale of Norway sweater that turned out just perfect — note The Yarnery award! Kim was there so we hung out and looked around at all the displays. We were both disappointed when fellow Thursdays at Four knitting peep, Ellie, did not win a ribbon for her darling child’s sweater:
I fell in love with this petit point Christmas Stocking:
The judges must have, too, because it was bedecked with ribbons and awards.
After perusing the displays, I checked out the Knitters Guild event outside the Education Building:
Knitting Squares at the Fair
I also wanted to see Kris King’s felted bag on display at the Fine Arts exhibit — it is where the real artwork is displayed (painting, sculpture, photography). OMG, her bag is gorgeous:
Wow! Felting as an artform. Way to go, Kris! It is absolutely stunning.
So long for today, State Fair — I’ll be back with DH in tow!
PS — an answer to a question: “What exactly is the Sweep Stakes award?” The sweepstakes is awarded by comparing all the blue ribbon winners in the category and then selecting the best of the blue ribbon winners. It is a thrill and an honor because it is the best of the best!
How in the world could anyone overlook a Neibling? Congratulations on all your hard work and ribbons!
Comment by the Lady — August 21, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
Congratulations! Beautiful work. And perhaps the sweater mannequin is being so dramatic because someone seems to have stolen her arms.
Comment by Sarah R — August 21, 2008 @ 5:29 pm
Bwah, Sarah!
And congratulations to my big sister on all of her ribbons, especially the Sweepstakes.
Comment by surly — August 21, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
Congratulations on your winnings! I might be biased but Lyra deserves more ribbons and awards 😉
Comment by Marina — August 21, 2008 @ 5:39 pm
Darn it! You just had to include a photo of one of many Pronto Pup stands. I love Pronto Pups…can’t find them here in Phoenix, AZ. Oh well. Maybe I’ll make it back to the fair next year. I love the fair! Congrats on your ribbons and awards. You deserve them, your knitting is beautiful. Hope you had a Pronto Pup, mini donuts, cheese curds, ice cream from the dairy bar, Pork Chop (although I heard Porky’s doesn’t do that anymore), roasted corn on the cob and banana milk. 🙂 My mouth is watering now!
Comment by Juliet — August 21, 2008 @ 5:56 pm
congrats Susan! not too surprised that Lyra did so well – it’s gorgeous (though I don’t know what the table linens competition is like. hmm… guess I need to head to the fair now)
Comment by Christy — August 21, 2008 @ 6:00 pm
Congrats Susan! Looks well deserved. Please tell Ellie that I think her child’s sweater absolutely gorgeous. 🙂
Comment by Toni — August 21, 2008 @ 6:12 pm
That’s it… next year I’m entering my knitting in the county fair!
Congratulations!
Comment by GeekKnitter — August 21, 2008 @ 6:35 pm
No wonder you burst into tears! Congratulations! I surely wish I were 1500 miles closer so I could come join you!
Comment by Nancy — August 21, 2008 @ 8:40 pm
Congratulations on your wins. We’re driving up from Kansas City to go to the Fair this weekend, I’ll be sure to look for your winning entries. BEFORE we look for the Tom Thumb Donuts for my husband.
Comment by Diane T — August 21, 2008 @ 9:11 pm
congrats! I can’t go until sunday and I can’t wait that long so I looked online! 🙂 a second and two fifths! whohoo!
I don’t mind that you are entered in the fair, I like to know that I’m going to have a challenge. 🙂
Comment by cori w — August 21, 2008 @ 9:33 pm
Congratulations on all the ribbons, and especially for Lyra. I was so excited to get to see it. Now tell me, though, which side is the right side? When I looked at it, it was displayed with the purl side up, but your picture looks like the stockinette side – more texture in the blossoms. We agreed that it looked like a sweepstakes winner from either side!
Comment by twinsetellen — August 21, 2008 @ 11:48 pm
Congratulations!!!!! I feel like a proud grandma! 🙂
(but much much younger)
Comment by Soo — August 22, 2008 @ 8:23 am
Congratulations! I may not make it to the fair this year so I’m thrilled to see photos. Everything is just lovely. And Kim’s sweater is quite wonderful too. I love the color choices. And Ellie’s should have won a prize. It is very nice. Thanks for sharing with us!
Comment by Delores — August 22, 2008 @ 8:57 am
Congratulations!!
Comment by Miss T — August 22, 2008 @ 9:32 am
Congratulations, Susan! Even though we’ve never met, I love watching the development of these pieces, and I’m so proud that you did so well – it’s almost like I get to enter the fair vicariously through you, without all the hard work on my part. 😉
Comment by Donna — August 22, 2008 @ 10:01 am
Congratulations Susan! What a great knitting competition you have at your state fair! Your pieces are amazing, and it was so nice to be able to get a glimpse of the competition.
Comment by CatMyers — August 22, 2008 @ 10:09 am
We knew your work was spectacular, but it is wonderful to see you get the public recognition! Since I am not at all State Fair savvy, do you get to enter the roslin hoodie in a special category since it is also an original design?
Comment by jennied — August 22, 2008 @ 11:26 am
Congratulations! Your knitting is so beautiful, you deserved all those ribbons!
Comment by Lynn Majidimehr — August 22, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
Congrats Sue! That treat in the middle looks SO GOOD. And that mannequin is *freaky*!
Comment by Nora aka Surly's daughter — August 22, 2008 @ 6:54 pm
Susan your knitting, as always, is gorgeous. I hope to get out there next week to check it all out. Our knitting group has challenged each other to enter into one of the county fairs next year. After seeing your glorius entries, I don’t know if I have the courage even for a county fair. We do grow great knitters here, though.
Comment by Pam/2muchfun — August 22, 2008 @ 7:53 pm
congrats Susan! No one deserves it more than you!
Comment by Eryka Jackson — August 22, 2008 @ 9:49 pm
Congratulations!
Comment by Kathy W — August 23, 2008 @ 2:10 pm
What beautiful and awesome knitting projects………are you a former 4-H kid?!!
Entering items at the Fair just gets “into your blood” it seems….(yuh, i’m a former 4-H kid and 4-H mom! ;o) Hearty Congratulations from my house on the prairie.
Comment by vonnie — August 23, 2008 @ 10:00 pm
Congratulations! A fellow Minnesotan posted a picture of the Sock Monkeys in the Meat Grinder on her blog. I’d have thought for certain, that one would have been one of the Sister’s. http://lifewiththreedogs.blogspot.com/2008/08/more-charlottes-web-than-araby.html
Comment by rudeek — August 24, 2008 @ 12:37 am
Susan- Well done you- there’s a certain thrill to being recognized amongst your peers (peeps)
And we open the next morning too!
Comment by Lorraine — August 24, 2008 @ 10:39 am
Congrats on your ribbons! This is how I found your blog a year ago when I was checking on some of the projects I admired when I visited the fair. I wanted to let you know that I’ve enjoyed reading about your adventures ever since.
Comment by Kathy — August 24, 2008 @ 6:44 pm
A big WOW and congratulations on your fabulous knitting entries! Thanks for the vicarious tour of the exact parts of the fair I would check out if I were able to go: desserts and knitting. I am always inspired by photos of your knitting.
Comment by Ella — August 24, 2008 @ 10:07 pm
Congrats on the ribbons. Lyra is awesome and deserved the Sweepstakes award. I’ve noticed that many fairs seem to have display problems — isn’t it wonderful that the judges manage to see the work’s value inspite of the display format.
Comment by Gayle — August 25, 2008 @ 2:52 am
wow -wonderful for you to win all these well deserved awards. What exactly is the Sweep Stakes award? It sounds like a real winner as it should be…just amazing even with purl side up!
Comment by kathleen — August 25, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
Oh yours was the Lyra!!! YAY FOR YOU! There were so many beautiful things…I think I missed a case though, you have some pictures that I missed seeing there on Sunday. I had sleeping baby in stroller, 3 others that were hungry and a rather bored hubby. The crowds were amazing though in that building, I didn’t expect there to be so many people on a Sunday.
Great job on all your accomplishments! I dream one day to join in the competition, but I know I have a long ways to go yet. You all give me inspiration!!!!
🙂
Comment by twistedinstitches — August 26, 2008 @ 9:08 am
How gorgeous!!! Good for you!
Comment by Liz — August 29, 2008 @ 10:53 am
How wonderful!!! Good for you!
Comment by Liz — August 29, 2008 @ 10:54 am
saw your lovely amulet bag. whats an amulet?
Comment by shelly — September 25, 2008 @ 9:45 pm