Skein & Garment Competition

Updated for 2026

This competition features a wide range of items handcrafted by spinners, knitters, weavers, crocheters, felters, and other fiber artists from across the country, all showcasing the beauty and versatility of wool.

Rules

Please read and follow all requirements. Please note that various rules and/or categories have changed. Entries that do not follow all requirements may not be judged.

Please send all questions to gro.l1780838229oowdn1780838229apeeh1780838229s@tne1780838229mragd1780838229nanie1780838229ks1780838229.

General Instructions

All entries must have been completed since the last Festival in May 2025 and be clean and odor-free. Items must not be “in the grease”, which determination will be made by the Judges and/or the Skein & Garment Committee.
Entries must not have the entrant’s name or any other identifying information anywhere on the entry. Judging is performed blind.
An entry will only be accepted in one class. Classes K08 and K09 only allow one entry per individual. All other classes are limited to two entries per individual.
All entries must be at least 50% wool except for classes S01-S06 and W14-W16 which must be 100% wool. “Wool” is defined as the product of shearing a sheep.
All entries must include:
- A completed online entry form.
  - Online entry is required. No paper entry forms will be accepted.
  - Online entry will close Friday, April 24, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.
  - Multiple entries from an individual may be on one online entry form. If you have more entries than the online entry form allows, submit the first online entry form and then submit additional online entry forms for the remainder of your entries.
  - If you are resubmitting the online entry form to correct an error, you must check the appropriate box for the entry being corrected.
  - The online entry form must be correctly filled out including the specified indicator for any of the special prizes that the entry is eligible for.
  - The description on the entry form only needs to be sufficient to distinguish each of your entries from the others. More detailed information is to be provided on a 3×5 card as described below.
  - If you intend to mail your entries, you must mark the appropriate box on the entry form.
- A small label (the size of a small return address label) with the name the entrant. Bring a label for each entry you submitted on the online entry form. They will be placed on the entry tags and must adhere to the tags. Sticky notes are not accepted. Please be sure the name on the label matches the entrant on the entry form.
- A card no larger than 3×5 attached to each entry, with:
  - The class number and name;
  - Age of entrant as of January 1, 2026, if 18 or under;
  - Fiber content, including breed if known;
  - To be eligible for special Maryland Sheep Breeders Association (MSBA) prizes, the wool must be from a flock on a farm located in Maryland. The name of the producer of the fiber, their farm’s name (where applicable), and the city and state where the farm is located must be listed on the card. If this information is missing, the entry will not be eligible for the MSBA prizes.
  - To be eligible for special Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em prizes, a copy of your Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em passport (showing the stamp from the participating breeder who produced the fiber used in your entry) must be attached to the entry’s 3×5 card.
  - To be eligible for special Chesapeake Fibershed prizes, entries must use 100% fiber grown within the Chesapeake Fibershed, an area around Washington D.C and Baltimore Metro areas, including portions of the states of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia (see www.chesapeakefibershed.com for boundaries). If dyed, it must use materials grown and/or foraged within the fibershed as well. The entry’s 3×5 card must include the name of the fiber producer, name of the farm (if applicable), the name of the dyestuffs used, and the city and state where the fiber and dye were obtained. For the Best of Chesapeake Fibershed – Garment prize, the entry must be a person-sized garment; miniature items, doll clothes, etc. are not eligible.
  - For all handspun skeins, a description of techniques used and its intended use must be included.
- Do not include your name on the 3×5 card.
Hangers and display equipment will not be accepted. Framed items are acceptable only if no glass is present. For sculptural entries, all pieces must be securely attached to each other or to a common piece/base. Bases for sculptural items must be covered using yarn or materials that would otherwise independently fit into a category below and must be at least 50% wool. Entries having uncovered bases will not be accepted. Entries must not contain glass, porcelain, or other materials that can shatter, with the exception of glass eyes for figurines.
Entries will be accepted in the Main Exhibition Annex at the Fairgrounds according to the following schedule:
- Thursday, April 30, 2026 between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
  - Entries will ONLY be accepted if the entry form was completed online. NO paper entry forms accepted.
  - Late submissions will not be accepted. If you cannot meet the above deadline, you should mail your entries.
Mailed entries must be received no later than Tuesday, April 28, 2026. Mail entries to: Angela Collison, 11916 Raven Rock Terrace, Gaithersburg, MD 20878. Any questions should be sent to gro.l1780838229oowdn1780838229apeeh1780838229s@tne1780838229mragd1780838229nanie1780838229ks1780838229. Mailed entries must be received with the required 3×5 card (see 5, above) attached securely to each entry. Entries that do not have the required card attached may be excluded from judging at the Skein & Garment Committee’s discretion. The Skein & Garment Committee assumes no responsibility for cards that become detached or lost during mailing.
Judging will take place Friday, May 1. The Judges have the right to shift entries to more appropriate classes. Judges’ decisions are final. All entries will be displayed uncovered but supervised during Festival hours. The Festival will make every effort to display and care for the entered pieces, but assumes no responsibility for damage or loss.
The show will close at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 3. Entries will not be released under any circumstances before 4:30 p.m., and must be claimed by 5:30 p.m. that evening. Entries will not be returned by mail. Entries must be picked up by the entrant or their designee as previously provided on their Entry Form. Entries will not be returned by mail. Entries not picked up will become the property of the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association, Inc.
Submission of an entry constitutes permission that the entry may be shown and/or described by the Festival or sponsors on webpages, catalogs, and/or social media.

General Instructions for Handspun Skeins

Each handspun skein entry must be prepared and spun by the entrant alone except for class G01. Entries not made entirely from fiber processed/prepared and spun by the entrant must be entered as using commercially prepared fiber.
“Fine” yarn is 20 or more wraps per inch and each skein of fine yarn must weigh at least 1 ounce.
“Medium” yarn is 10 to 19 wraps per inch and each skein must weigh at least 2 ounces.
“Thick” yarn is less than 10 wraps per inch and each skein must weigh at least 2 ounces.
Weight of the skein must be included on the 3×5 card. Skeins weighing under the requirements above may be removed from competition at the discretion of the Judges and/or the Skein & Garment Committee.
Each skein must be:
- 1.5 to 2 yards in circumference.
- Wound neatly with the 2 ends of the skein tied together.
- Appropriately secured with with at least 2 ties.
Commercially prepared fiber may only be used in classes S07, S08, S09, S10, S14, S15, S16, and S18.
The 3×5 card must include spinning technique description and intended use of the skein.

General Instructions for Articles Made with Handspun (for classes other than S01-S18)

Entries not made entirely from yarn spun by the entrant must be entered as using commercial yarn.
Handspun yarn spun by the entrant can be from commercially processed fiber or fiber processed by the entrant.

General Instructions for Hand Knitting

Articles knit partially or entirely on a knitting machine or knitting loom (including a circular sock machine) are not eligible for entry in classes K01-K16.
Entries that include both commercial and handspun yarn must be entered in the otherwise appropriate commercial class.
Classes K08 and K09 allow only one entry per individual.

General Instructions for Felting

Felted articles (hand-knitted and then felted, handwoven and then felted, felted from fleece, wet felted, or needle felted) should be entered in classes F01-F04. Knitted or woven articles that have been fulled (i.e., stitches or warp and weft yarn are readily visible) must be entered in the class of the primary technique.

General Instructions for Woven Blankets (for classes W14-W18)

The width of woven blankets are measured from selvedge to selvedge.
W14-W16 must be 100% wool. W17 and W18 must be at least 50% wool.

Classes

Skeins – 100% wool processed by spinner from raw wool

S01 Fine singles yarn
S02 Medium singles yarn
S03 Thick singles yarn
S04 Fine plied yarn
S05 Medium plied yarn
S06 Thick plied yarn

Skeins – at least 50% Wool

S07 Singles yarn spun from commercially prepared fibers
S08 Fine plied yarn spun from commercially prepared fibers
S09 Medium plied yarn spun from commercially prepared fibers
S10 Thick plied yarn spun from commercially prepared fibers
S11 Singles or plied yarn processed and blended by spinner
S12 Singles or plied yarn processed and natural dyed by spinner
S13 Singles or plied yarn processed and chemically dyed by spinner
S14 Expressive (novelty) yarn. To qualify, the yarn must be spun using a defined technique and be well constructed (examples are bouclé, corespun, tufted, etc.). Fiber can be processed by spinner or commercially prepared.
S15 Handspinners dyed yarn basket – a minimum of one pound of yarn spun in any manner for use in one project displayed in a basket. Include a description of the fiber techniques used to spin the yarn and its intended use. A pattern, sketch or sample swatch of the project must be displayed. This class will be judged on craftsmanship and creativity. Fiber can be processed by spinner or commercially prepared.
S16 Handspinners natural colored yarn basket – same as Class S15
S17 Novice spinner (spinning one year or less) using fiber processed by spinner – singles or plied yarn
S18 Novice spinner (spinning one year or less) using commercially prepared fiber – singles or plied yarn

Hand Knitted Articles

K01 Garment knit from handspun yarn
K02 Hat knit from handspun yarn
K03 Scarves and cowls knit from handspun yarn
K04 Shawls knit from handspun yarn
K05 Gloves/mittens knit from handspun yarn
K06 Socks knit from handspun yarn
K07 Blanket knit from handspun or commercial yarn
K08 Garment knit from commercial yarn (non-colorwork)
K09 Garment knit from more than one commercial colored yarn (colorwork)
K10 Hats knit from commercial yarn
K11 Scarves and cowls knit from commercial yarn
K12 Shawls knit from commercial yarn (non-colorwork)
K13 Shawls knit from more than one commercial colored yarn (colorwork)
K14 Gloves/mittens knit from commercial yarn
K15 Socks knit from commercial yarn
K16 Miscellaneous knit

Handwoven Articles

W01 Garment woven from handspun yarn
W02 Scarves and cowls woven from handspun yarn
W03 Shawls woven from handspun yarn
W04 Wearable Accessories woven from handspun yarn
W05 Miscellaneous woven from handspun yarn
W06 Garment woven from commercial yarn
W07 Scarves and cowls woven from commercial yarn
W08 Shawls woven from commercial yarn
W09 Wearable Accessories woven from commercial yarn
W10 Miscellaneous woven from commercial yarn
W11 Article woven on a rigid heddle loom
W12 Shawl woven on a triangle weaving loom
W13 Novice hand woven (weaving 1 year or less)
W14 Blanket, 100% wool warp and weft, less than 36” wide and any length
W15 Blanket, 100% wool warp and weft, 36-50” wide and any length
W16 Blanket, 100% wool warp and weft, greater than 50” wide and any length
W17 Blanket, sized as above in W14-W16, made from at least 50% wool
W18 Blanket woven by a Junior, meeting the requirements of any of classes W14-W17

Hand Crocheted Articles

C01 Shawl, scarf, or cowl crocheted from handspun yarn
C02 Wearable accessory crocheted from handspun yarn
C03 Garment crocheted from handspun yarn
C04 Household article crocheted from handspun yarn
C05 Miscellaneous article crocheted from handspun yarn
C06 Shawl, scarf, or cowl crocheted from commercial yarn
C07 Wearable accessory crocheted from commercial yarn
C08 Garment crocheted from commercial yarn
C09 Household article crocheted from commercial yarn
C10 Miscellaneous article crocheted from commercial yarn

Group Articles

G01 Group-produced article made from handspun yarn. Entry form must identify all participants and their respective contributions.

Wool Hooking

H01 Using original pattern and design
H02 Using bought patterns, kits, or pre-printed designs
H03 Punch needle or miscellaneous

Felting Techniques

F01 Knitted or woven articles that have been felted (note the difference between fulled and felted in the General Instructions above)
F02 Wet and/or needle felted non-wearables/home decor (wall hangings to rugs)
F03 Wet and/or needle felted wearables
F04 Wet and/or needle felted sculptural or figurative articles

Other Techniques

T01 Rugs – using any techniques mentioned throughout; small, medium, and large
T02 Miscellaneous article using technique other than those listed above (e.g., needlepoint, embroidery, etc.)
T03 Fiber Jewelry: to include felted techniques, knitting, and other needle work. Beading may be included but not the primary technique of the article.

Junior Division

Participants must be 18 years old or younger as of January 1, 2026. The Junior Division is composed of all classes using the same criteria as the Adult Division, with the exception of W14-W17. A specific Junior class is provided instead. Ribbons and cash prizes are the same as the Adult Division.

Premiums

Cash Prizes

Cash prizes will be awarded in each class for First Place ($15), Second Place ($10), and Third Place ($5). Ribbons will be awarded for First through Fifth Place.

Special Prizes

All are $25 cash awards or gift certificates unless otherwise noted. To be eligible for the following prizes, the entrant must have included the appropriate letter code on the entry form:

MD – 100% Wool from a Maryland farm
G/O – Article made from gradient/ombre commercial yarn
BF – 100% Scottish Blackface wool
SS – Spindle Spun
SE – Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em (see eligibility requirements above)
FS – Chesapeake Fibershed (see eligibility requirements above)
RH – Article Woven on a Rigid Heddle Loom

Best in Show – donated by Cloverhill Yarn Shop of Baltimore, MD ($100 gift certificate)
Flock Award – given to the highest combined placement for 5 handspun skein entries across any 5 different classes – donated anonymously ($50)
Best Handspun Skein – donated anonymously NEW!
Best Handspun Article – donated anonymously NEW!
Best Woven Article – donated by The Weavers Guild of Greater Baltimore
Best Junior Spinner – donated by The Weavers Guild of Greater Baltimore
Best Novice Weaver – donated by The Weavers Guild of Greater Baltimore
Best Handspun Woven Article – donated by the friends of Joanna Crosby in her memory ($50)
Best Crocheted Article – donated by the friends of Bonnie Lease in her memory
Best Crocheted Article by a Junior – donated by the friends of Bonnie Lease in her memory
Best Spindle-Spun Yarn – donated by Chendra Conklin
Best Spindle-Spun Yarn by a Junior – donated by Chendra Conklin
Best Junior Fiber Artist – donated by Chendra Conklin
Best Article Woven on a Rigid Heddle Loom – donated by Chendra Conklin NEW!
Best Knitted Article Using Gradient/Ombre Commercial Yarn – donated by Fiber Optics Yarn ($50 gift certificate)
Best Crocheted Article Using Gradient/Ombre Commercial Yarn – donated by Fiber Optics Yarn ($50 gift certificate)
Best Woven Article Using Gradient/Ombre Commercial Yarn – donated by Fiber Optics Yarn ($50 gift certificate)
Best Scottish Blackface Skein – donated by Friends of Scottish Blackface Sheep NEW!
Best Scottish Blackface Article – donated by Friends of Scottish Blackface Sheep NEW!
Best Handknit Scottish Blackface Sweater – donated by Friends of Scottish Blackface Sheep NEW!
Best Scottish Blackface Woven Rug – donated by Friends of Scottish Blackface Sheep NEW!
Best Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em Skein – donated anonymously
Best Shave ‘Em to Save ‘Em Article – donated anonymously
Best Woven Constructed Article – donated by the Chesapeake Weavers Guild ($50)
Best Innovative Design – donated by Potomac Fiber Arts Guild ($50)
Best of Chesapeake Fibershed–Skein – donated by the Chesapeake Fibershed
Best of Chesapeake Fibershed–Garment – donated by the Chesapeake Fibershed
Best Rug Hooking Entry – donated by ATHA Mason Dixon Chapter ($50)

WGGB Woven Blanket Prize – NEW!

To encourage fiber artists, and to recognize the time and effort necessary to plan and weave blankets, the Weavers Guild of Greater Baltimore is pleased to introduce the WGGB Woven Blanket Prize. All entries entered in categories W14-W18 will be eligible for the prize. From among the 1st place winners of W14-W18, the following will be awarded:

WGGB Woven Blanket Grand Prize – $300
WGGB Woven Blanket 1st Place – $60 for each of the remaining 1st place entries

Maryland Sheep Breeders Association Prizes

In order to encourage the production of high quality wool in Maryland, and to encourage fiber artists to seek out this wool, MSBA sponsors the following prizes. To be eligible, entries must use 100% Maryland wool, the appropriate code must be included on the entry form, and the 3×5 card must include the name of the producer, the name of their farm (if applicable) and the city and state where the farm is located.

Best of Maryland Wool – Skein: To recognize the best yarn spun with wool from a farm located in Maryland.
Best of Maryland Wool – Article: To recognize the best article made with wool from a farm located in Maryland.

For each of these prizes, both the creator of the skein/article and the producer of the wool will receive a ribbon, pewter cup, and $25 in prize money, and the producer will be acknowledged in the Skein & Garment results on the Festival website.