The 2011 North Carolina State Fair in review

Leslie Stahlhut

The 2011 North Carolina State Fair completed its run yesterday, so when this morning came, it was time to retrieve my 2011 North Carolina State Fair entries from the fairgrounds. With my five claim tickets, I gathered together all of the thing I had entered in the fair:

crochetbug, crochet blanket, crochet hamster, amigurumi hamster, crochet hat, felted crochet stash bag, kool-aid dyeing
I retrieve my fair entries

To my surprise, the gray nubby brimmed hat that I made using Eileen Tepper’s pattern and entered in the category of Adult Hand Crafted Items Hand Crocheted Hats did not win any notice from the judges:

crochetbug, crochet hat, crochet cap, textured crochet cap, eileen tepper
Eileen Tepper’s Nubby Crochet Brimmed Hat

I think that had I taken the time to trick it out with a few added gee-gaws, it might have done better, but then the recipient it is intended for would not have wanted to wear it. Ribbon or no, I think the hat is wonderful.

Happily, the hat I made using Eileen Tepper’s Newsboy hat pattern and Debbie Brandt’s handspun yarn did better and managed to take third in the “Adult Hand Crafted Items Handspun: Hats” category. For anyone who doesn’t recall the hat, here is my youngest son’s stuffed tiger/hat model:

newsboy crochet hat on a tiger, crochetbug, eileen tepper, crochet hat, crochet cap, brimmed crochet cap
Hobbes engages in a staring contest with the camera

Edson, the hamster of action, an amigurumi I made using Narumi Ogawa‘s pattern in the book, Mr. Funky’s Super Crochet Wonderful, captured third in his category:

crochetbug, crochet hamster, amigurumi hamster, narumi ogata
Edson, crochet hamster of action

My felted Electric Kool-Aid stash bag made using using vintage wool yarn, the Purl Bee’s pattern for a crocheted stash basket, and 15 packs of blue Kool-Aid did well in the “Felted/Fulled Item” category, bringing home the blue:

crochetbug, crochet basket, crochet bag, vintage yarn, yarn stash, use what you have, kool-aid dyeing, felted crochet
My newly felted electric Kool-Aid stash bag

The afghan I had labored over for two months and entered in the Home Furnishings category of non-Threaded Needlecraft Afghan (2 or more colors) managed to garner a green honorable mention ribbon:

crochet squares, crochet rectangles, crochetbug, crochet quilt, crochet blanket, crochet afghan, crochet throw
My 2011 North Carolina State Fair afghan got the green honorable mention ribbon

My only regret is that this year I did not make it to the fairgrounds for the fair itself. I missed out on funnel cake, I did not get to see the Village of Yesteryear, and I did not get to see all of the exhibits that I wanted to see.

Opening day of the 2012 North Carolina State Fair is just 353 days away, and I am going to make sure that I fit it into my schedule; no matter what.

16 thoughts on “The 2011 North Carolina State Fair in review”

  1. Well, I saw your things IRL and I must say they were all wonderful. I was surprised at the green on your ghan as comparing it to the other things that took higher ribbons I felt yours was by far more intricate and interesting………. 364 more days!

  2. Congrats on your ribbons! That would be so fun to enter a fair contest. I think
    I would be too nervous to do it so it’s cool to see someone else’s journey. Love your blog!

  4. Congrats!! I can’t believe your afghan just got an honorable mention. Everything looks awesome.

  8. Awesome! You are a star! Who knows why regarding the hat but it is AWESOME and we all know it!!

    I am delighted about the felted bag as those stash bags are so YOU and the felted one was my favorite!

    As for the afghan, it is superior in every way!!!

    Looking forward to next year:)

  9. Cannot — CANNOT! – believe that your afghan placed anything but first!! It is just gorgeous. Not only that, but anyone who is even remotely familiar with knitting or crochet work would be aware of the hours and hours of intensive labor — and LOVE – put into the afghan. You are a STAR!!

  10. All of the above and more. You and your work will always be first in my book. Can’t wait to see what you think of next!

  11. Your work is so beautiful and creative, Leslie. Your fans all know that your work deserves the top awards! 🙂 Can’t wait to see what you come up with for next year.

    Well done and congratulations!

  14. Congratulations on your achievements, but I think that your afghan definitely deserved the highest award, I don’t know what the judges were thinking!

  15. Congratulations. I’m quite glad that the 2 items that I’ve entered into my local show aren’t up against your afghan, I don’t think I would stand a chance. The other items must have been real good to have beat it.

  16. i’m really surprised you afghan didn’t rank higher than honorable mention.

    i didn’t bother trying to find what other items in that catagory got ribbons.

    congratulations nevertheless! perhaps they just didn’t have the right ribbon to acknowledge the journey in making your prize piece!

    (i didn’t see the wee hamster … i hope he was behind glass, or else stuart might had grabbed him for himeself 😉

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