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 Saturday   Building 11

 Fleece Check-in: Friday 5-7 pm & Saturday 9-10 am

Border Leicester Fleeces must be checked in by 9:15 am on Saturday

Judging: Border Leicester Saturday 9:30 am

     All other fleeces Saturday 11:30 am

Fleece sales begin 1/2 hour after last judging is completed

All fleeces are to be brought to the Fleece Show area in building 11. One entry form must be completed per exhibitor. Fleeces will not be weighed. All fleeces entered for sale must have been entered in the fleece show.  A fleece that is NOT FOR SALE must be so marked. Checks from sales of fleeces and premium money will be mailed to exhibitors. All unsold and not-for-sale fleeces will be released at 4:00 on Sunday and must be removed by 5:00 pm.  Any unclaimed fleeces will be disposed of at the discretion of the committee.

Every effort will be made to display and care for entered fleeces, but we assume no responsibility for damaged, lost, stolen or erroneously sold fleeces.

The entry fee is $2.00 per fleece. The pre-registration form, see download information below, must be received before May 1.  Late entry fee is $5.00 per fleece. There will be a 10% sale commission charged on sold fleeces.  

All fleeces must be from the current wool crop and must be owned by the exhibitor. Each fleece must be clean and free of chaff, burrs, tags and second cuts.  They must be skirted and in a clear plastic, untied bag. It is the responsibility of the exhibitor to enter fleeces in the proper classes.

Judging criteria will be based on suitability for spinning. The judge may choose not to award any premium based on the quality of the submission. The exhibitor is responsible for entering fleeces in correct classes. The judge will not move fleeces to different classes. 

FLEECE COMPETITION

DIVISION 1  White Fleeces            DIVISION 2  Natural Colored

CLASSES: F-fine;  M-medium;  C-coarse;  D-double coated

Premiums, each class: 1st- $6   2nd – $4   3rd- $2

Ribbons will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each of the above categories. All first-place winners will be judged against each other for BEST OF SHOW.

NEW!  DIVISION 3 Border Leicester  CLASSES: R-ram   E-ewe

DIVISION 4 NC Border Leicester  CLASSES: R-ram   E-ewe

This is an added show for Border Leicester fleeces only. Premiums paid by the association. 

To download the registration form, click here.

Several Fiber Processors will be available to take fleeces back to their mills for processing.

SKEIN COMPETITION

Building 13

RULES:

1.      A maximum of two entries per class will be accepted from each entrant.

2.      Skeins should have been spun after June 1 of previous year

3.      Each skein must be a minimum of one yard in circumference and tied loosely in two places in a figure eight.

4.      Each skein should weigh a minimum of two ounces for medium and bulky; and one ounce for fine.

5.      On grounds entries will be accepted Saturday,  10-12 am.

6.      Entry fee: $2.00/skein. Entry forms are to be filled out prior to the show.

7.      Judging will take place Saturday at 1:00.

8.      GROUP A: If you have placed first in this competition previously, you are in this group.

9.      GROUP B. All other entrants.

Handspun Yarn

Category A

Class 1: fine singles   Class 2: medium single Class 3: bulky single

Category B  

Class 4: fine plied   Class 5: medium plied   Class 6: bulky plied 

Category C

Class 7: Spinners choice of fiber and ply.

Category D

Class 8: Novelty yarn: boucle, knot, spiral, slub, cable; spinner choice, must not have commercial yarn.

Category E (GROUP B ONLY)

Class 9: Novice spinner: spinning one year or less: 2 ply yarn.

Judge will reserve the right to sub-divide or combine class, if necessary

HINT FOR ENTERING SKEIN: Spin fiber, wash skein, after drying RE-SKEIN yarn and tie LOOSELY in figure eight in two places. Do NOT wind into a tight skein prior to entering.

Cash will be awarded in each class as follows: First place: $7.00; Second place; $4.00; Third place $3.00. Ribbons will be awarded in one through fourth place.

Skeins may be picked up on Sunday beginning at 3:00 and must be picked up no later than 4:00. If you want your skeins returned by mail, bring a postage paid envelope. 

Great Lakes Fiber Show will NOT be responsible for loss or damage.  A responsible person will be attending to skein tables during show hours and the building will be locked.

To download the entry form, click here.

There will be a BFL fleece show, along with a BFL fiber show to include yarn and finished fiber arts.  This will be held on Saturday, and entry forms and other details will be available at the BLU website.

Also on Saturday will be demonstrations on processing & using BFL wool in various handcrafts, as well as other demonstrations and speakers featuring information on the unique qualities of the breed.  

A banquet for BFL enthusiasts will be held at TJ’s restaurant in Wooster on Saturday evening.  Tickets can be purchased; again, details on the website.  

The BFL breeders will have a vendor booth in the fiber show with all sorts of fleece and fiber items for sale.

Entry forms and other details are available at the Bluefaced Leicester Union website.  www.bflsheep.com

Sunday 1-4

Instructor: Constance Hall

Students will start with colored wool top that will be blended at the wheel. They will make their own colorful punis that, with no tools required, will spin up into amazing yarn. Students will learn how to take indie dyed wool braids and manipulate them so that when spun into yarns will look totally different from each other even though started for the same braid. Finally, students will learn some color blending with tools such as hand cards, hackle and drum carder. This is a fun and information filled workshop that will leave you wondering why you ever thought you had to dye your own fiber to get the colors you dreamed of. 

Supplies: A spindle or working wheel, extra bobbins, and lazy kate, niddy noddy and any spinning wheel parts including oil, handcards. Some handcards will be available to borrow. Please bring any tools you would like to use or learn to use.

Materials Fee: $20 Includes fiber supplies for class.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner Class Limit: 8 

 To download the registration form, click here.

Sunday 1-4

Instructor: Elisabeth Marino

When a pattern needs to be modified or adapted to change size, change yarn, or adjust for some shaping, it’s time to pull out the calculator.  Students will learn simple formulas to help make the appropriate modifications to their patterns confidently, and without confusion.  Students will then modify some existing patterns to reinforce their skills.  Concepts will include sizing, substituting design elements, pattern repeats, increases and decreases, and edge treatments.

Supplies: Students will need to bring: pencil, paper, and calculator.  There are no materials to buy at the time of class.  Each student will receive a class packet of patterns and class notes.

Materials Fee: 0 Skill Level: Advanced beginner Class Limit: 12

 To download the registration form, click here.

Sunday 1-4

Instructor: Kate Larson 

By comparing lace fabrics from several traditions, we will see how yarns and techniques differ around the world. This class will cover a variety of stitches and techniques as well as how to read a chart and fix mistakes. We will also talk about joining yarns, weaving ends, and blocking your lace for a perfect finish.

Supplies: At least 75 yards of a solid color yarn in sport or DK weight, straight or 16″ circular needles in a size appropriate for your yarn (US #4-6), scissors, stitch markers.

Materials Fee: $5

Skill Level: Advanced beginner Class Limit: 12

To download the registrationform, click here

 Saturday 1-4

Instructor: Martha Gifreda

We’ll learn how to read the specialized charts for mosaic knitting and make a sample that utilizes both garter and stockinette stitches.

Supplies: worsted weight yarn in two colors, one light, one dark

suitable size needles (probably size 6, 7, or 8 ) either straight or circular.

Materials Fee: none Skill Level: Beginner Class Limit: 10

To download the registration form, click here.

 Saturday 9- 4  (6 hours)

Instructor: Maddy Fraioli

Students will be able to go home and know how to build their own frames, order their own wool, resources for miniature punch, know how to thread various yarns for use, how to make their own patterns, backing material options, and “do their own thing”.

Supplies: Each student may bring there own “Oxford” punch or order one in advance. (Send $35 at time of registration to purchase punch.)

Materials Fee: $16.00 includes pattern and use of the frame. Skill Level: Beginner Class Limit: 10

To download the registration form, click here.