Fiber Arts at the Fair

Here's the display (one of 2.5 tables) of knitting and crocheting at the fair. My scarf, actually displayed nicely, can be seen running the front edge of the table. That's pretty cool!

Unfortunately, you really can't see most of the other items because they are all balled up under plastic. Very odd, and a tad disappointing. There was plenty of room in the building, I wonder why these entries were given the short straw. Hundreds of identical muffins and slices of cake were given plenty of elbow room, but you can't unfold a sweater so we can see the sleeves?

Sock Blockers at the Fair

I have been waiting to post a picture of my sock blockers on display at the fair, thinking they would be hanging up next to a chest of drawers or somehow else incorporated into a neat display. Alas, I have overestimated the Santa Cruz County fair.

Here are the sock blockers, stacked and rubber banded together practically hidden at the back of a table. You only see one of the designs, the actual sock is down in the stack, so how would anybody even guess what the heck they were for. I was kind of disappointed. The fiber arts display wasn't much better. I'll post that tomorrow.

Scarf Stew

Here is my crocheted scarf fair entry while it soaks in some hair conditioner to soften up a bit. Noro sock yarn is really scratchy and I'm willing to do whatever it takes to make my scarf awesome.

Fair Madness

As you may or may not know, I am originally from Ohio. To go a step further, my Mom is from a small agricultural town. The fair, be it county or state, has at one time or another sucked everybody into the fiercely competitive world of fair projects. My Mom and Grandmother entered every category, from public speaking to ham loaf baking. As a young one I was obsessed, literally obsessed, with baking a winning pie. (I never did win, but would like to note that the winning pies almost always violated the rules, no cream pies in the fruit category people! Not that I'm bitter...)


I had entered once before some things into the Santa Cruz County Fair, getting a second place ribbon for a cross stitch project, and an honorable mention for a sauced up carrot cake. I was OK with this result, and thought I could finally let it go. Nope. Khristine at the Swift Stitch offered a challenge and entry fees for us to put our yarny creations up for consideration this year. I had to do it. I'm almost done with a second Boteh scarf to submit, but had a brainstorm while perusing the other categories. Wood. I could make some wooden sock blockers while I'm in Columbus and have access to power tools! Here's one style in progress after the first step of cutting the basic shapes with the scroll saw. I'm pleased.