Off to Class

Immodest as it may seem, I'm going to show off my newly acquired mad spindling skillz in a skein competition. My newbie-spun is off to Class 8, Novice, and Class 14 (a Challenge Class!), Textile Yarn Swatch, at the Garden State Sheep Breeders Festival, at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds in Ringoes, September 16-17.

For the challenge class, here's my sample of commercially prepared Blue Face Leicester fiber, sample skein of 20+ yards (18+ m) laceweight yarn, and blocked sample of fabric, knitted in a garter stitch version of Old Shale, which shows off the yarn texture and variegation nicely. The yarn was part of my Tour de Fleece spinning.

      

Knitting the swatch had a primal quality, as if this old pattern is what handspun wool laceweight is meant to be. I'm thinking it wants to be a stole, although fingerless gloves would be exceptionally pretty (and so useful, too!).

I should note that for a Garden State, state fairs in New Jersey sometimes leave something to be desired. There are plenty of regional fairs, but... well, the one closest to Exit 151 is held in the parking lot of Giants Stadium and most closely resembles a moveable version of Coney Island. Not to mention this year's NJ Sheep & Fiber Festival was cancelled due to lack of interest. Happily, knowledgeable Risa (who has started an Ivy KAL) heard of this alternative.

Please keep your fingers and/or needles crossed for me – it's the very first time I've entered a FO in a show. I plan to go on Sunday – if you go on Saturday, check out the skein competition and let me know the results of the judging.

[ETA: See how I did here.]