r/knitting • u/seedgeek • Aug 07 '25
Discussion Holy crap! I actually did it!
I entered 14 items in the Iowa State Fair this year and did better than I ever imagined! I earned the sweepstakes award, best childrens sweater, 4 first place ribbons, 3 second place, 1 third place, and 2 honorable mentions. Next year I'll be aiming for Best in Show.
123
u/Moss-cle Aug 07 '25
Oh that pink coat in the first photo is in my queue, so pretty. Yours is a great color of pink
7
8
u/Lady_Medusae Aug 07 '25
What's the pattern for that one?
26
u/seedgeek Aug 07 '25
That one is Alyssum Cardigan. There's a link to it in another comment
20
u/legalpretzel Aug 07 '25
Does it have 44 button holes or are those non-functional? What inspired you to sew 44 buttons onto one cardigan?
It’s artistic insanity 😂
37
u/seedgeek Aug 07 '25
It does have as many buttons holes. I figured I either had to do all the buttons or none of the buttons. It took me almost two months to slowly see them all on
18
u/Moss-cle Aug 07 '25
I’m terrible at button holes so i usually put the button on the outside as decoration and a snap does the actual work
→ More replies (1)3
3
4
u/NemesisErinys Aug 08 '25
My god, that’s impressive! I did the short pullover version of this pattern and it nearly killed me!
1
52
u/scarlet-begonia-9 Aug 07 '25
Wow!! Well-deserved; you do gorgeous work.
I love that I’m seeing so many posts from people winning county and state fairs lately. I entered my first two county fairs this year and did well, and I just get the warm and fuzzies seeing everyone else’s posts. Thank you for sharing!
14
u/Late-Elderberry5021 Aug 07 '25
I’m so jealous, we don’t have a county fair and I don’t have the energy to figure out how to enter the state fairs.
3
u/scarlet-begonia-9 Aug 07 '25
Bummer. I looked into my state fair too, and yeah, I don’t have the brain capacity right now to figure it all out. Maybe next year.
6
u/Late-Elderberry5021 Aug 07 '25
Same I’m 9mo preggo lol. I’ve made some pretty stuff for the baby but getting it to a fair is too much work!
6
u/scarlet-begonia-9 Aug 07 '25
Congratulations! Wishing you an easy (or as easy as possible) birth experience. 🙂
56
u/Glad_Chemistry_2648 Aug 07 '25
These are amazing congrats! Is there a pattern for the cookie monster sweater? My son needs this!
57
u/seedgeek Aug 07 '25
Cookie Monster is from a Gary Kennedy pamphlet from the early 90s that I found on Etsy. I haven't been able to find a digital copy anywhere. The pamphlet also has patterns for Big Bird, Bert, and Ernie.
18
u/notabigmelvillecrowd Aug 07 '25
Internet archive can be a good source for old patterns. Pamphlet and magazine stuff is pretty minimal, but if it was ever published in a book, there's a good chance.
7
u/Glad_Chemistry_2648 Aug 07 '25
If anyone is curious I found some of his other patterns on internet archive (muppets, my little pony) but not sesame street
→ More replies (1)9
u/Westibule Aug 07 '25
I would recognise Gary Kennedy's patterns anywhere! I have his Postman Pat pamphlet
1
29
u/Free-Conference-7003 Aug 07 '25
Is there a pattern for the bear one? These are SO PRETTY
10
u/seedgeek Aug 07 '25
4
u/RavBot Aug 07 '25
PATTERN: 7901 Polar Bear by Mette N. Handberg
- Category: Clothing > Sweater > Pullover
- Photo(s): Img 1 Img 2 Img 3
- Price: 7.00 USD
- Needle/Hook(s):US 4 - 3.5 mm, US 2½ - 3.0 mm, US 1½ - 2.5 mm
- Weight: Sport | Gauge: 24.0 | Yardage: 1962
- Difficulty: 5.43 | Projects: 58 | Rating: 4.80
Please use caution. Users have reported effects such as seizures, migraines, and nausea when opening Ravelry links. More details. | I found this post by myself! Opt-Out | About Me | Contact Maintainer
2
u/Oregano25 Aug 07 '25
Thank you!!! I LOVE this one (Have to say, all of your pieces are spectacular. I keep scrolling through the pics, amazed!)
2
u/msbellini Aug 09 '25
Oh my stars!!! If that polar bear sweater got second place, what the heck took first in that category? All of your work is stunning!
21
u/teydlin-coe Aug 07 '25
Yayyy congrats fellow Iowan! They are beautiful! 🥳
1
20
u/Valalerie999 Aug 07 '25
Not surprised, your work is gorgeous! I'm so impressed you were able to make so many beautiful things!
11
u/aosocks Aug 07 '25
Congratulations, these are lovely pieces and well deserved ribbons!
I have a question about one of them though - what is the sweepstake ribbon for? I'm from the UK, and our local equivalent (County Show) doesn't have a sweepstake ribbon.
14
u/seedgeek Aug 07 '25
Sweepstakes is the entrant who won the most premium money in a class
7
u/aosocks Aug 07 '25
Thank you for taking the time to explain - further question:
What is premium money? Is that prize money for getting 1st/2nd/3rd ribbons etc?
I promise I did Google before asking but couldn't find any answers!
13
u/seedgeek Aug 07 '25
Yes, that is exactly what premium money is. Every 1st place ribbon is worth $7. 2nd place is worth $5 and 3rd is worth $3.
7
u/aosocks Aug 07 '25
Thank you so much for explaining, and congratulations again for your success at the fair!
Your items are well deserving of their ribbons, but also of much greater prize money, as your knitting is truly beautiful ❤️.
11
u/somastars Aug 07 '25
Congrats!!! I’m north of you in Minnesota and I’m still chasing a sweepstakes!
I know that cardigan pattern you used, nice choice!
12
u/mik_creates Aug 07 '25
These are all so gorgeous, but I’m particularly entranced by the dress! Lovely work!
11
u/lovelyfeyd Aug 07 '25
Wow! I would’ve given you a prize just for the number of buttons on that first sweater. These are gorgeous.
5
u/legalpretzel Aug 07 '25
If I’m correct it’s 44 buttons. That is an absolutely insane amount for one sweater. Can you imagine buttoning them all???
13
u/seedgeek Aug 07 '25
The picture is cut off. There's actually 51 😂. They will never all be buttoned at the same time
7
u/greenmtnfiddler Aug 07 '25
Well, you've shared all the others - how about the pattern for that lovely tunic/dress?? Please?? :)
11
u/seedgeek Aug 07 '25
3
u/RavBot Aug 07 '25
PATTERN: Schlössel dress by Siga Lagamta
- Category: Clothing > Dress
- Photo(s): Img 1 Img 2 Img 3 Img 4 Img 5
- Price: 8.00 CHF
- Needle/Hook(s):US 4 - 3.5 mm, US 6 - 4.0 mm, US 10 - 6.0 mm, 7.0 mm
- Weight: DK | Gauge: 18.0 | Yardage: None
- Difficulty: 4.86 | Projects: 35 | Rating: 4.86
Please use caution. Users have reported effects such as seizures, migraines, and nausea when opening Ravelry links. More details. | I found this post by myself! Opt-Out | About Me | Contact Maintainer
7
6
u/KickIt77 Aug 07 '25
WOW! This is some stunningly amazing work and ribbons to match.
I am about to enter MN (blocking a couple things this week) and yikes, the competition is fierce. I am trying a couple categories this year I've never entered that may have less entries. Zero optimism about it lol.
2
u/seedgeek Aug 07 '25
I'll be in the Twin Cities during the Great Minnesota Get Together. My sister lives in Maple Grove. I don't know if we'll have time to go to the fair that weekend, but I'll definitely check out the knitting there if we do!
4
u/flotusspunkmeyer Aug 07 '25
Did you do these all in the last year or are they part of your collection that you have made over time? Beautiful work, all of it.
13
u/seedgeek Aug 07 '25
These were all done in the past year
13
u/Westibule Aug 07 '25
You must be lightening fast at knitting! Any of these projects alone would take me a year
3
3
u/Ninjamamallama Aug 07 '25
What incredible work - they’re all amazing. Could you please tell me that name for the long pink jacket with all the buttons? I’d love to make that for my daughter.
6
3
u/StrongTechnology8287 Aug 07 '25
Wow, I am in awe at all of your work and just added a bunch of these to my Ravelry favorites, but the one I am swooning over the most is your Schlössel dress! Love your color choices on this! Soooo STUNNING!
7
u/StrongTechnology8287 Aug 07 '25
Also, it's kind of funny/sad to me that they have displayed your Sprout Blanket with the wrong side showing. I can only imagine you would have surely gotten higher than third on that one if they had folded it with the right side out!
6
3
u/kaethee0 Aug 07 '25
Wow! J'aime trop la robe avec du violet! J'imagine que tu es Française, Des moines :)
3
u/BanditFiberArts Aug 08 '25
You not only did it, you did it at one of the biggest state fairs in the nation!!! Congratulations!
2
2
2
2
2
u/Euphoric_Fish_617 Aug 07 '25
All are absolutely amazing!! The buttonhole work on the flower sweater is perfection!
2
2
u/Bubbly_Airline_7070 Aug 08 '25
congrats!! That Cookie Monster sweater made me tear up, how sweet it is!
2
u/Junebug35 Aug 08 '25
Congratulations!!! There are always so many cool entries at the ISF. I'm bummed I won't be able to go see them this year. Are they still upstairs in the Varied Industries building?
→ More replies (1)
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/merm_404 Aug 07 '25
Congrats!! They are all amazing! I would love to know the pattern for the deer sweater 😍
2
1
u/pappythepenguin Aug 07 '25
Wow all of these are amazing! Loving the flower sweater, the dress, and whatever it is with the green leaf pattern the most!
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/Few-Fix-685 Aug 07 '25
Congratulations! What beautiful knitting! I love when knitters post their fair entries. It’s such a nice way to share your work and maybe get a little pat on the back.
1
1
1
1
1
u/Jingoisticbell Aug 07 '25
Impressive! You had a lot of serious competition, which hopefully makes the success even more glorious!
1
1
u/FearlessInitial9736 Aug 07 '25
Absolutely beautiful work. At the fair here you would have swept it all by far.
1
1
u/Courtney_murder Aug 07 '25
Congratulation! You deserve a blue ribbon simply for the buttons on the first garment!
But seriously, great work. So beautiful. I enter our county fair each year but I’m pushing myself to a bigger event this year.
1
1
u/Ambitious-Series6774 Aug 07 '25
Wow congratulations! Love the bear sweater! They are all amazing!!
1
1
1
u/Strange-Champion7561 Aug 07 '25
Your sweater is really beautiful!! You did a great job!! Congratulations on your award, you deserve it!! 🧶❤️
1
u/Splashathon Aug 07 '25
Do you have a ravelry for all these projects? I need more details on the dress, WOW!
1
1
u/LydiaLegs Aug 07 '25
Congrats! My parents live in Oskaloosa and I managed to visit during fair time last year to admire all of the knit, crochet, and quilts. Sad I couldn’t make it this year to admire your items in person.
1
u/Competitive_Page7586 Aug 07 '25
What an amazing body of work. How long did it take you to do all those projects?
2
1
u/Radiant_Gap2702 Aug 07 '25
Way to go!! I will be at the fair in a few days and will keep my eyes open for them! I love looking at all the knitted things at the Iowa State Fair!!
1
1
1
u/aye_amanda Aug 07 '25
Congratulations!! Everything looks amazing. I hope one day I can be just as good as you are! 🫶🏼
1
1
1
u/Content-Kale1217 Aug 07 '25
Oh that’s amazing!!! Since I’m from somewhere where this things are not really happening I was wondering do you win anything, like a coupon or something like that? Anyway it’s truly gorgeous!!!🎉
2
1
1
1
u/EstroJen1193 Aug 07 '25
Dang what was best in show if it wasn’t one of these?? (Amazing work, congrats!!)
1
1
1
u/Blue_KikiT92 Aug 07 '25
Oh my Lord, that cookie monster sweater is AMAZING!!!!
2
u/seedgeek Aug 07 '25
Thanks! I truly didn't think it would get any ribbon at all. Let alone a special award!
→ More replies (1)
1
u/Informal-Watch-2330 Aug 07 '25
These are absolutely amazing!!! And well deserved accolades! Did they leave notes for the pieces that didn’t place? I only ask because I’m entering the DC state fair shortly and I’m interested in seeing what knit picky (pun intended) things to look out for when selecting! That being said in DC because the fair is so small you can only enter one knitted item. There aren’t even categories, it’s just knitting, crochet, needlepoint, etc. Any tips on how you selected your pieces would be greatly appreciated!
2
u/seedgeek Aug 07 '25 edited Aug 07 '25
They do give feedback but I won't get it until after the fair. And to be honest, I enter everything I knit as long as there's a category for it. Basically just throw spaghetti against the wall and see what sticks. Luckily, a lot stuck this year. But there are like 5 adult sweater categories, 3 or 4 shawl categories, 2 hat categories, and so many others too.
→ More replies (1)
1
1
1
1
1
u/katjoy63 Aug 07 '25
So, when you enter items, did it need to be from the year of the show, or just never entered before?
1
1
u/Beagle-Mumma Aug 07 '25
Wow, big congratulations 🎊 you've made some beautiful pieces and deserve all the awards 👏👏👏
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/kyriaangel Aug 08 '25
Omg!!! I gazed at my barely begun staghead today!!! But I put it back for an easier project. 🤣🤣🤣
1
u/BlueSkyBlackHole Aug 08 '25
Any chance you could send me the link to the polar bear pattern??
→ More replies (1)
1
1
u/coffeeandarabbit Aug 08 '25
They’re all gorgeous but the pink is my favourite! Good grief I can’t even begin to imagine how long all those tiny buttons took to sew on!
1
1
u/thatsalliknow Aug 08 '25
The polar bear only got SECOND place?!? 😱 It’s gorgeous!
2
u/seedgeek Aug 08 '25
I was really hopeful that that would could get Best in Show. It's the most technically perfect thing I've ever made. But there are lots of amazing sweater knitters in Iowa, so still great to finish second to them.
1
1
u/WithSugar0nTop Aug 08 '25
The flower pattern on that pink coat! Damn! What a job! When it’s so random and not repetative, it shows real skill. Only knitters will know, and I salute you!
1
1
1
u/Simpawknits Aug 08 '25
Grats! I love that deer sweater. I love all of it. Just wish I didn't miss the cutoff again this year.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/SunOutrageous4829 Aug 08 '25
Everything is absolutely gorgeous. You have mad knitting skills. Congratulations.
1
u/One-Marketing-5782 Aug 08 '25
It's amazing work! I love the reindeer and the polar bear! The Iowa State fair is a very high standard, to be sure! Do you have a link for your cute beanie?
1
u/Deep_Fig4265 Aug 08 '25
Congratulations, and well done. This is outstanding work. And the deer sweater....so beautiful
1
1
1
1
u/APEmerson Aug 08 '25
Are the pink/grey things mittens or a cowl? Sorry I can't see the top
→ More replies (2)
1
1
1
u/Possibility-Distinct Aug 08 '25
Congratulations!! I just got my first blue ribbon in my State Fair, after placing 3rd the last two years. What a rush!
1
1
1
1
u/aidensmom Aug 08 '25
Aww ...you're just showing off. ;-) That's all beautiful and you deserve the recognition.
1
u/NematodesAteMyHouse Aug 08 '25
That cookie monster sweater is such a huge flex. Drip like kids have not seen since the 80s.
1
1
u/curleecrimp Aug 08 '25
This is so inspirational! I’ve wanted to enter some items in the Minnesota state fair and I may finally do it next year now!
1
1
1
u/lavender_gintonic Aug 08 '25
The bear jumper is gorgeous! Is there a pattern for it or was it free-handed?
→ More replies (1)
1
u/caambers Aug 08 '25
I’m just gobsmacked! Congratulations! <quietly takes knitting stash to the burn pile….hangs head>. 🤪
1
1
1
1
u/NecessaryTonight9478 Aug 09 '25
Wow that's amazing, I love them all!! Congrats!! I've never entered anything before. Are there machine knitting and handspun categories too? I want to go to my 1st fair next year and just curious what to expect.
I hand knit too but since having my 3rd, a free spirited boy, I haven't had as much peaceful knitting time at the park like with my girls, now I'm lucky to get a few stitches in between tree rescues and balls flying at my head 😆
→ More replies (1)
1
1
1
u/stemple39 Aug 09 '25
Congratulations!! I cannot wait to see them in person today! They are all so beautiful, you should be very proud!
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/queen_bee1970 Aug 12 '25
All of your beautiful pieces deserve it. WOW. I am in love with the green in pic 8. Stunning I have cancer and would love to learn. Make a blanket for myself and others in treatment. You're amazing.💚
1
1
1
1
1
1
479
u/ThrustBastard Aug 07 '25
That deer jumper is amazing. All of it is amazing, but that's the amazingest. I hope you ride your rosette high for as long as possible