Entering a knitted item in the local agricultural show

[Daisybell1]

Right, I've got the show schedule of classes, I've got the project in mind (it's this which I've been planning on making for a while anyway) and my mum's lined up to babysit whilst I tackle the tricky yoke section.

I've never done anything so detailed so it will be a challenge!

Are there any standard pet hates which judges have? I must confess I haven't been anywhere near a handicrafts tent since I started knitting regularly so have no idea of the type of comments which are usually made...

He does indeed! He must be well trained because when we went into the craft tent he spotted the crochet section before I did and made a bee line towards it!

He also has the ability to spot a yarn shop at 100 paces.

I am very impressed :)

And? And?

Got didly squat

No comments, no marks out of 10, nothing, but it seemed that the judges valued knitted twee lacy cardigans higher than colour work.

They had a good go at my gin though!

How rude!!

What a shame, I thought the pattern you chose was gorgeous.

That's ridiculous!

Oh I am sorry. I have knitted the hat version of the pattern so know how difficult
It is.

Thanks all, that's very nice of you. It may well have been pants however I suspect that it's more to do with it not fitting in with the judge's views on what a baby should be dressed in...

Alfiemama - I would love a matching hat! Where can I find the pattern

I'd rather put imminent PidjChick in something in colourwork than some godawful holey thing that catches and traps little fingers!

But to get no marks and no comments/explanation?? That's pretty shit of them.

Pidgin - my thoughts entirely! They were all cardies that you receive, say oh hmm lovely, take a quick snap and then tuck away never to be worn again as they were sooo holey!

No comments, no. Plus it wasn't anonymously judged. Not saying anything you understand. My losing has nothing to do with me having only been in the area 3 years and being married to someone who's family have only been here for 4 generations. It was nothing to do with that at all

Ah. You're an in-comer.

Bloody forriners

I entered the village show a fewweeks back, won2nd prize (80p) for my bootees but my rattle was deemed unsuitable for babies - much to the disgust of the WI, none of whom I'd ever met! Pics on profile iirc :)

Daisybell- my commiserations. Your little cardigan looked lovely and fresh.
I had a good look at the craft tent of our local agricultural fair and the baby knit section was dominated by fluorescent acrylic knits in lurid orange, lime green etc. Baby hats with huge pompoms at the side or masses of finger loops a la 1950.

Yes, beautifully knitted but not up to date. Also very lacy and overly fussy with a lot of holes where tiny fingers could catch. Oh my judgey pants were hoiked right up and the RI ladies were fiercely guarding all the crafts/baking.

Mine sensibly had WI only craft classes alongside the "regular" ones probably why i placed, there were three prizes and five entries

I know, I'm an outsider

OH's aunt thinks I should join the Wild Indians as she thinks I'd get a better quality of judge rather than someone who's 'just a farmer's wife' (which is what I am btw...)

Poo. Your cardi is lovely. One of my local shows had similarly impractical baby knits as prizewinners- bonnets and the like which were a beautifully knitted but so daft. And all miniature, no reasonable-sized newborn would get its noggin in.

Sorry Daisy, just seen this.

I got it off ravelery. Not sure it's the exact match but similar. I will find the link.

www.ravelry.com/projects/alfiemama/baby-sheep-hat

I LOVE that cardigan!! I entered some stuff at the show last year, and did get comments, that my sewing ruined my tidy knitting and that my seams weren't right etc, all fair comments. Again, very frilly loopy stuff won and my stuff was more modern and practical. I would love to knit that sheep cardi for my DS, maybe we should have more younger women judging these categories??

I need to find someone to knit PidjChick a sheepy hat, sooooo cute!

That is such a cute hat!

I snuck the cardie into another show today and got 3rd in class! Not sure it was worse than a crocheted coat hanger but at least I got placed

Hurrah!

Well done!