Sheep To Shawl Competition
Updated for 2026
Six team members – one shearer, one fiber prep person, three spinners, and one weaver – will compete to shear a sheep, spin the fleece, and weave it into a shawl, all in three hours.
After judging, there will be an auction of completed shawls at 1:45 p.m. in the Show Ring.
Due to the increasing popularity of this competition and the growing number of spectators, the new venue will be under the HUGE Auction Tent with bleachers set up around the teams. There will be a raised floor under the tent to keep equipment off the grass.
TEAMS, YOU WILL BE SEEN!
Rules
Teams
The number of teams competing will be limited to six. One back-up entry will be accepted, in case a team cannot compete as planned. New in 2026: Teams will now consist of six people: one shearer, ONE FIBER PREP PERSON, three spinners, and one weaver. The shearer may not assist in the fiber prep or act as a helping member of the team during the competition. Spinners may assist in fiber prep only during the first 15 minutes after the fleece is off the sheep. The fiber prep person may not serve as a 4th spinner on the team. Youth teams (where all three spinners and the weaver are 18 years of age or younger as of the date of the competition) are welcome to compete, and they will have different guidelines for their shawl.
Sheep
Each team will provide its own sheep with health papers; see Animal Health Regulations. Any team needing help in finding a sheep should email Susan at moc.liamg@strarebiflufsewe for referrals. Each team is responsible for arranging to have their sheep at the shearing area at the beginning of the competition, and led away immediately after shearing. The team is is also responsible for making arrangements to pay the sheep breeder for the fleece.
Sheep Breeders: The Sheep-to-Shawl committee is always looking for sheep to provide fleeces to be shorn for teams without their own sheep. If you have sheep with a nice quality handspinning fleece that could be used (the team will pay for the fleece), please contact moc.liamg@strarebiflufsewe.
Warp
Each team is responsible for providing their own loom prepared with wool yarn. The sett should be no less than 8 epi (1600 to 2000 yds/lb.). Natural colored or hand dyed warp may be used, but no commercially dyed wool will be allowed. 5 bonus points will be added for a handspun warp.
Weft
Hand carders, wool combs, and flickers are permitted; drum carders are not. In addition to manual spinning wheels, one battery-powered e-spinner will be allowed per team. The weft yarn may be no thicker than 2 times the diameter of the warp end.
Shawl Design
Any weaving pattern may be used; however, the shawl must measure a minimum width of 22 inches as sleyed in the reed. The judges will check this width during the competition. The finished woven length must be 70″ minimum, with a minimum 5″ fringe on each end. The shawl length will be measured after removal from the loom. All ends must be finished by the end of the timed period. Removing knots to re-tie or alter the finish after measuring will not be allowed. Junior teams, with all members aged 18 and under, must have a shawl measuring at least 19 inches sleyed in the reed and at least 64 inches finished woven length, with at least 5 inch fringes.
Time
Each team will be timed from the beginning of the shearing until the shawl is off the loom with fringes finished. There will be no pause in timing after the shearing. In addition, the spinners may not start their work until their shearer is completely finished. The shearing and completion of the shawl must take place within the 3-hour competition time period. A team that fails to have its shawl ready for measurement within that time will not participate in the prize money, although it may have the judges’ evaluation of its work after the other shawls have been judged.
Auction
The completed shawls will be auctioned off at 1:45 p.m. in the Sheep Show Ring. Each team will receive the proceeds from the sale of the shawl less 10% contributed to the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival. Shawls will be wet-finished by the teams, at home, after judging. The teams will then be responsible for mailing shawls to the buyers.
Scoring
This scoring point system will be used:
Team Identification (10 points)
- Team appearance, 5 points
- Team display, 5 points
Shearer (10 points)
- No second cuts, 5 points
- Appearance of sheep after shearing, 5 points
Spinners and Fleece Preparation (30 points)
- Fleece selection – color, cleanliness, and hand, 5 points
- Fleece preparation for spinning, 5 points
- Uniformity of spinning – size and type of yarn produced, 10 points
- Ability to keep weaver supplied, 10 points
Weaver (30 points)
- Even selvedge, minimal draw-in, 5 points
- Even beating, 10 points
- No threading or treadling errors, 10 points
- Quality of fringe/hem stitching, 5 points
Finished Shawl (20 points)
- Detail and difficulty of design, 10 points
- Drapeability of shawl, 5 points
- Color compatibility of warp and weft, 5 points
Deductions for measurements outside of standards:
- Length, 5 points
- Width, 5 points
- Fringe, 5 points
Bonus Points
- Handspun warp, 5 points
- Plied weft yarn, 5 points
Prizes
New Prize Structure!
1st Place – $600
2nd Place – $500
3rd Place – $400
4th Place – $300
5th Place – $200
How to Enter
Entries will be accepted beginning March 1, 2026.
New this year – please use this online registration form.
There is a $20 entry fee.
Questions?
Contact Susan Withnell, Sheep-to-Shawl committee chair, at moc.liamg@strarebiflufsewe for more information.
