This year, 2024, I entered items in the Utah County Fair. Crafted, grown, baked, and similar exhibitions are called “open class.” This fair was free to enter, and free to attend! I was excited to share my projects with everyone who came to the fair this year. I say I “won,” but I think everyone who enters the fair “wins,” because everyone’s entries are unique and have value, and sharing them with the world can be scary. Entries really do show each artist’s personality.

I entered 6 items: 2 cross-stitches (one with larger stitches, one smaller stitches), 1 quilt (a table runner), 1 tatted item, and 2 knitted items. I prepared my items, then printed out the online form.

This fair tries to be fair (see what I did there?). It uses the Danish judging system. With this system, it’s not a contest like you might expect. It’s not like there is only one winner. Instead, items are judged, points are assigned, and awards are given on a bell curve. So, with enough entries, more than one “blue ribbon” can be awarded in the same contest.

Best in Show is far more rare – only one project in each category/division can win Best in Show!

In addition, it is made impartial because names, special stories, or other personal advantages of items are hidden during judging. Judges do not know who entered what, and the actual judging process isn’t open to the public or to exhibitors.

My Entries

I dropped off my entries at the county fair one evening after work. It was well organized, and I was in and out pretty quickly.

Knitted Lace Stole/Shawl

This stole/shawl was made using the Empathy pattern by Romi Hill in silk/mohair yarn. I worked on it off and on for a couple of years before finally finishing it off about a week before I needed to drop it off at the fair. It got a “Best in Show” ribbon!

Empathy Shawl by Romi Hill with Utah County fair "best in show" ribbon.

Knitted Baby Blanket

I made this blanket using the Sugar & Spice pattern and Drops Merino Extra Fine yarn. I really like this pattern and have made and gifted many blankets using the same pattern. I even posted about it previously. It got a blue ribbon! This project was a gift, and was mailed off to its baby after coming home from the fair.

Tatted Earrings

I made these earrings using “Margaid,” by LAtelierDArachne, on Etsy. Amazonite beads, and Lizbeth size 80 cordonnet thread. It got a blue ribbon!

Quilted Table Runner

This table runner was my first project with my own free-motion quilting on it! I bought the pattern, “Cartwheels,” by Primrose Cottage, on Etsy. I made the whole project on my little sit-down sewing machine. It got a blue ribbon!

Blue Cross-Stitch

This project was a stitch along, where I got a part of the pattern every month for a year. It is “Fruits of Plenty,” by Modern Folk Embroidery.

It took me longer than a year to finish it, though! I used hand-dyed linen and Weeks Dye Works floss in Blue Heron and Blue Suede.

Unfortunately, although I was meticulous about blocking and making it square before dropping it off at the framer’s, the framer still messed it up and it’s bowed on the edges. The state fair judge commented on it. I will take my work to a new framer from now on. It still got a blue ribbon!

Christmas Cross-Stitch

This project was finished before but not framed until last year. I love having it framed! It is “Holy Night,” by Shepherd’s Bush.

Attending the Fair

I went to the Fair with my mom and sister. We had a great time looking at all the entries! It was fun to go and see everyone’s entries.
Utah county is just south of Salt Lake County, in Utah. So if you are wondering, was it actually the Utah state fair? No, this was really the Utah County Fair, Aug 1-3, 2024. The Utah state fair was in September, and I entered that one. I’ll write it up one of these days!