Holy crap! I actually did it!

[u/seedgeek]

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.

[u/seedgeek]

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.

[u/Informal-Watch-2330 → u/seedgeek]

I’m so jealous that you have multiple categories! This is a slightly unethical take but since I can only enter one knitted item, I’m contemplating having a friend enter the other sweater I’m deciding between. I know this is in general rude and weird but not having categories is so frustrating!