Black Sheep Gathering

Fiber Arts & Yarn Show Rules:

1. Please use Fiber Arts entry form (56k PDF to fill-in and print).
   
2. Fees: $2 per skein of yarn. $4 per Fiber Arts item.
   
3. All articles, including the yarn in the article and yarns entered must have been finished within the last year by the entrant from 100% animal fibers, except where noted.
   
4. Yarn MUST be in skeins with a minimum 30 yards, appropriately tied. NO balls of yarn will be accepted.
   
5. Attach to each item two 3 x 5 cards. (May use the Fiber Arts Item Card or Yarn Card).
   Card 1: Entrant’s name and address.
   Card 2: Include the following:
      • Division, Lot and Class Number of item.
      • Fiber content(s), to include breed of animal if known.
      • Include a statement of how fiber was prepared.
      • Fleece or fiber sample must be attached to both skeins and finished items.
   Skeins of yarn must also include:
         • A statement of intended use of yarn
         • A 3 x 3 inch (minimum size) sample swatch, demonstrating any patterning or techniques to be used.
   Finished items should include descriptive information regarding:
         • Preparation
         • Technique
         • Design used—indicate “original design” if no commercial pattern was used.
   
6. A small amount of non-handspun surface embellishment is allowed, less than 5% of total, including buttons and trimmings.
   
7. All yarns and fiber arts entries (except felting projects) MUST BE HANDSPUN.
   
8. Judging criteria adapted from Northwest Regional Spinners Association.
   
9. Entries must be in place by 10am, Friday, June 21, 2013. The Fiber Arts show will accept mail-in entries received by June 12. Please include mailing label and funds for return postage. Entrant must also purchase tracking and insurance for return mailing.
   
10. Release—starts at 2:45pm, Sunday, June 23, 2013. Early release must be arranged with Fiber Arts attendants. All entries must be claimed by 5pm.

NOTE: Entry Fee will be waived for the first item entered for all juniors. To receive free entry, and to be eligible for the Black Lamb Cup, juniors must be entered in the age-appropriate classes.

Fiber Arts & Yarn Show

Judge: Cynthia Heeren, Bend, Oregon

Cynthia Hereen is an accomplished fiber artist. She has won numerous awards for her fiber arts, including the Black Sheep Cup for a handspun, knitted lace shawl and two Champion awards for her spinning at the Black Sheep Gathering, the Diamond Award and several Grand Champions at the Oregon Flock & Fiber Festival, and Champion Spinner and Champion for Article made from Handspun at the Oregon State Fair. In addition to spinning, she also knits and crochets, designing for the commercial market. Her designs have been featured in Handspun Treasures from Rare Wools; The Save the Sheep Project, and in Knit N’ Style magazine. A popular instructor and judge, Cynthia teaches and judges fiber arts throughout the northwest, relishing sharing the joy of her art with others. Cynthia lives on a farm in Bend, Oregon with her husband, Karl. She is also a goat and fiber judge and has judged at major venues throughout the country, including the Black Sheep Gathering

Yarn Division

Judging Criteria for all Entries:

1. General overall appearance.

2. Preparation for exhibit — clean, properly skeined and tied, of listed yardage and/or weight, blocked if necessary.

3. Suitability of fiber to yarn—amount of twist, diameter of yarn

4. Technique — twist evenly executed, appropriate plying twist, diameter consistent throughout, structurally durable, yarn designs consistent, dyeing/blending consistent.

5. Suitability of yarn to use—direction of twist, amount of twist, diameter of yarn, handle of yarn, appropriate number of plies.

6. Finished Execution – originality, creativity, complexity.

Lot:

A. 100% Grease White Wool Yarn.
B. 100% Grease Natural Color Wool Yarn.
C. 100% Washed White Wool Yarn.
D. 100% Washed Natural Color Wool Yarn.
E. 100% Mohair Yarn, Natural Color or White.
F. 100% Angora Rabbit Yarn, Natural Color or White.
G. 100% Camelid Yarn, Natural Color or White.
H. 100% Silk, Natural Color or White.
I. 100% Cashmere, Natural Color or White
J. 100% Pygora Goat, Natural Color or White.
K. 100% Other Animal Fibers (i.e., qiviut, buffalo, yak, possum, dog, etc.).
L. Blended fibers, Natural Color or White (must be greater than 50% animal protein).
M. Plant/Mineral-dyed Natural Color Yarn.
N. Plant/Mineral-dyed White Yarn.
O. Plant/Mineral-dyed Yarn from Blended Fibers (must be greater than 50% animal protein).
P. Synthetic-dyed Natural Color Yarn.
Q. Synthetic-dyed White Yarn.
R. Synthetic-dyed Yarn from Blended Fibers (must be greater than 50% animal protein).
S. All natural color or white animal fiber, with addition of metallic yarn.
T. All dyed animal fiber, with addition of metallic yarn.
U. Raw fiber to yarn (spinner must have done all fiber processing).
00. Spinner’s Gallery—FOR DISPLAY ONLY.

Class:

1. Singles
2. 2-ply
3. Multi-ply
4. Novelty yarn of choice
5. Fine-spun yarn
6. Machine spun
7. Pee Wee handspun—age 7 and under
8. Children handspun—age 8-12
9. Teen handspun—age 13-17

Fiber Arts Division

Judging Criteria for all Entries:

1. General overall appearance.
   
2. Suitability of yarn to article—consistency of spinning, appropriate yarn characteristics.
   
3. Suitability of fiber to project—fiber preparation, drapability, durability, hand.
   
4. Technique—gauge/sett, even tension, perfect execution, no uncorrected mistakes.
   
5. Finishing—blocking, ends, cleanliness, seams, appropriate notions.
   
6. Finished Execution – originality, creativity, complexity.

Judging criteria adapted from Northwest Regional Spinners Association, 1990. The judge is free to change any exhibit not properly entered in correct Lot, Class or Division.

Lot:

A. Made from 100% natural color wool—undyed.
B. Made from 100% natural color wool—dyed.
C. Made from 100% natural animal fibers—undyed (includes white wool).
D. Made from 100% natural animal fibers—dyed (includes white wool).
E. Made from 100% silk
F. Blended fibers (must be greater than 50% animal protein; includes metallic)
E. Made from 100% silk
F. Blended fibers (must be greater than 50% animal protein; includes metallic).

Hand-Knitted or -Crocheted

Knitted or crocheted items must be handspun (indicate on tag).

Class:

1. Sweaters, jackets, coats
2. Vests
3. Shawls, ponchos, capes
4. Afghans
5. Accessories—hats, scarves, belts, etc.
6. Socks
7. Pee Wee knitted projects—age 7 and under
8. Children knitted projects—age 8-12
9. Teen knitted projects—age 13-17

Woven

Either the entire weft or the entire warp must be handspun; remaining fibers may be either hand or machine spun and may contain plant fibers.

Class:

10. Sweaters, jackets, coats
11. Vests
12. Shawls, ponchos, capes
13. Accessories—hats, scarves, belts, etc
14. Rugs, tapestries, wall hangings
15. Blankets, afghans and yardage
16. Table linens
17. Pee Wee weaving projects, age 7 and under
18. Children weaving projects, age 8 - 12
19. Teen weaving projects, age 13-17

Felting

Felted Items must be made of 100 % animal fibers. Some small use of non-animal fiber embellishment may be allowed.

Class:

20. Wet Felted Wearable
21. Wet Felted Non-wearable
22. Laminated Felt
23. Needle felted Critter or Humanoid
24. Needle felted Embellishment (may be commercially made base - must be natural fiber)
25. Needle felted Other
26. Combination of Techniques
27. Pee Wee, age 7 and under
28. Children Felted, age 8 - 12
29. Teen Felted, age 13-17.

Miscellaneous

Class:

30. Machine knitted items
31. Stuffed animals
32. Locker hooking
33. Hooked rugs and hangings
34. Crewel and needlepoint
35. Combination of techniques
36. Basketry
37. Pee Wee projects—age 7 and under
38. Children projects—age 8-12
39. Teen projects—age 13-17

Group Works

Collaborative projects will be judged and ribbons awarded. These projects will NOT be eligible to compete for The Black Sheep Cup or the Black Lamb Cup.

Spinner’s Gallery

The Spinner's Gallery is dedicated to the memory of Sharon Nofziger's gentle spirit. It is inspired by Sharon’s desire to have a place for people who want to exhibit this year's projects without particiating in the judging. The criteria and entry fees will be the same as the Fiber Arts and Yarn Show. On the entry form indicate you are entering the Spinner's Gallery by listing the fiber arts or yarn lot to read 00.

Sheep-to-Shawl
Friday, June 21, 2013, 9am - 2pm

Sheep-to-Shawl is located in Expo Hall Building One, near the vendors at the Spinner’s Circle spot, under the “Sheep-to-Shawl” banner. You may unload your loom and equipment through the back (east) door of the building, which opens at 8am, and then re-park your vehicle. Only team members will be allowed in the contest area.

Laura Macagno-Shang will make announcements, demonstrate and explain the competition to the public. The team areas will be marked. You will also receive a wristband that allows you to have snacks and beverages in the building during the contest.

The judging will be at 2 p.m. sharp. Ribbons will be awarded directly afterwards. We would like very much to have the shawls on display in the Fiber Arts Competition when they are completed.

The Teams are invited to the annual potluck dinner that begins around 5:30pm Saturday. Additionally, if you’re available after the potluck, plan to model your shawl at the Spinner’s Lead event held in the animal show ring at 8pm.

Rules

Process: Woven shawl.

Size: At least 1440 square inches. (This is equal to approximately 20" x 72", minus any fringe.) It may be larger.

Fiber: The shawl has to be at least 90% wool and 25% of the wool has to be natural colored, in keeping with the mission statement of the Black Sheep Gathering. The remainder of the shawl should be wool with the exception that 10% (by weight) of the fiber may be other than wool, mixed in either the warp or the weft. Except for the 25% natural colored wool, all of the fiber used MAY be dyed. Fiber may be cleaned and ready to card and spin.

Yarns: All yarn used is to be plied. This will aid with demonstrations and in the look and feel of a “fresh” shawl. (One that has not been washed yet.) The weft yarns are carded and spun during the competition.

Team: Six members: one weaver, five spinners.

Equipment: Loom—warped and tied-on only. Use only four harnesses or less. Tie-up should be at the discretion of the weaver. One drum carder is allowed per team for carding the wool for spinning the weft yarns. Teams may use hand cards or wool combs.

Please supply Laura with samples of the fibers going into your shawl so she can describe the process to onlookers. Good luck and have fun!

The entry deadline is June 1, 2013. For more information contact:
    Laura Macagno-Shang
    Textiles a Mano
    965 Tyinn St #11
    Eugene, OR 97402
    541-485-6266
    textilesamano@hotmail.com

Spinner's Lead

The Spinner’s Lead takes place in the Livestock Show Arena after the Potluck on Saturday night of the Gathering. Entrants wear their handspun garments or creations, while leading a sheep or goat or carrying a bunny.

The event is open to all producers and spinners of wool, mohair or rabbit fiber. If you wish to enter please read the rules carefully.

Complete the entry form and mail it to the address on the form. We need a full description of your entry, including technique of construction, breed of animal and information about the artist and exhibitor.

Mail-in entries will be accepted until June 15th, however forms will be available at the information table until noon Friday.

If you don’t have livestock entered in the Black Sheep Gathering animal shows, we can arrange for you to borrow an animal. However, these arrangements must be made in advance so we can find a match for you.

Spinner’s Lead Rules

• Articles must be 100% handspun, (commercial warp or canvas OK)
• Entries may be hand or machine knit, hooked, woven, crocheted or felted.
• The articles may have been completed at any time; it is not limited to items made in the past year.
• Someone other than the entrant may make the article, although the maker of entered article must be identified in the entry form.
• Articles must be at least 80% wool, mohair or rabbit.
• Garments should represent the breed of the animal being led.
• Entrant doesn’t have to own the animal used in the lead.
• Only animals entered in the Gathering are eligible for the Spinner’s Lead.

Judging Criteria for Spinner’s Lead

NOTE: In case of a tie, judges will award bonus points on the basis of originality.

Black Sheep Gathering, Inc.
PO Box 51092, Eugene, OR 97405
Phone: 503-804-0014
blacksheepgathering@gmail.com

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