April 20, 2007
So I missed the entry date this year for the Easter Show. So I decided instead to enter our much, much smaller local version, the Campbelltown Show.
I knew it was smaller, but hadn't been in maybe 12 years. I was a litte put out a week or so ago when I went up to the local council chambers and submitted my entries. The two older ladies collecting the entries looked at me, looked at my entry form, then looked at me again and very obviously didn't know what to think. There are many prejudices in the world about knitting being for old ladies, obviously some of them are held by old ladies!
I entered three shawls, Icarus, Fern Garden Stole and Spring Blossoms.
I have good news, and bad news.
The bad news is that my 6 month old camera is misbehaving.
The good news is that Fern Garden got first in the shawl section and Spring Blossoms took second. No ribbons, all you get is a little card. (And prize money! $5 for first, $2 for second!) Poor Icarus got nothing, but I'm not greedy.
And my tea cosy.
First!
The picture I took at home on the teapot is better, though.
I'm pretty pleased with it, but it took a few goes to get the flowers to look the way I wanted them to.
So three places from four entries!
When I delivered my knitting on Wednesday, there was another older lady in front of me, delivering her stuff, too. I felt that she was a little bit condescending towards me. She insisted that I go ahead of her, because I "only had a few little things", and she had "two whole pages worth!"
So I went ahead, and started pulling my knitting out of the bag. She seemed a little taken aback when I pulled out the Fern Garden Stole, but she said "Oh, that's gorgeous!" I thanked her, then carried on. When I pulled out the Tea cosy, she butted in to tell me that I'd entered it in the wrong section. I just looked at her and she said "Dearie, that shouldn't be in the Tea Cosy section, it should be in hand felted items" I thanked her for her advice, but said "Sorry, it's a tea cosy". She then got a bit argumentative, and insisted it was hand felted. I had to insist to her that I'd entered it as "A knitted Tea Cosy with felted flowers for decoration" and the entry had been accepted.
As it turned out, no-one had entered anything in the Felted section, so I would've won it anyway.
That lady was there today, demonstrating weaving. She ignored me, except when I was pointing something out to Emily. Then she snappd at me "Don't touch the exhibits!!"
I wasn't touching.
Anyway, I was less than impressed with the standard of the entries. Lots and lots of novelty yarns.
It definitely isn't the Easter Show, that's for sure.
And Ailsa? These were even more badly presented. (Excuse the bad picture)
I didn't even realise the camera was mucking up until I'd gotten home and downloaded the pictures. It's going back to Kodak!
I pulled out the old camera to take a picture of the progress on my Shetland Shawl.
12 repeats of the edging, out of 21. I don't think this is going to be a quick knit.
Don't forget the competition to win the "Knit One, Kill Two" book. Comment on the entry below to enter, I'll be drawing a name tomorrow!
Comments
Congratulations for winning. I especially like the tea cosy. The little bee was a really nice touch.
Posted by: Kessa at April 21, 2007 12:01 AMCongratulations! The shawls are gorgeous, but the tea cosy is beauitful Donna.
Posted by: Janette at April 21, 2007 12:10 AMI want a re-count ;-) I love the Spring Blossoms and the tea cosy is adorable! Congratulations, Donna.
Posted by: Marina at April 21, 2007 12:35 AMCongrats! All of your projects were fantastic but I especially love the tea cozy.
Posted by: ck at April 21, 2007 01:01 AMWOW the tea cosy looks great!!! and a big WOO HOO on the placings!!!
Posted by: Vicki at April 21, 2007 01:21 AMCongratulations!! I have to agree with everyone else that the tea cozy is just to die for -- I don't think I've ever seen one quite that cute.
Posted by: Susan at April 21, 2007 01:57 AMCongratulations on your winnings! Richly deserved! Why do people think they need to offer their opinions when not solicited? Just ignore her and do your own thing (easier said than done sometimes)...
Posted by: mel at April 21, 2007 02:19 AMCongratulations on reward for work well done. The shawls are beautiful. I knew they would win something. And the tea cozy turned out so well. Are the flowers knitted as one piece or is each petal knitted separately? Gorgeous!
Posted by: wool winder at April 21, 2007 03:23 AMI love the tea cosy with the felted flowers! It's certainly appropriate for spring. Congrats on all your wins. The shawls are absolutely gorgeous and you soooo deserve to win!
Posted by: Evelyn at April 21, 2007 03:35 AMCongratulations!! The tea cozy is gorgeous!!
Posted by: Meadow at April 21, 2007 04:04 AMCongrats on winning the prizes!! The shawls are gorgeous!
Loving the tea cosy too...its so....cosy!
Sending over some good knitting vibes for the Shetland Shawl =)
Posted by: Mira at April 21, 2007 05:25 AMCongratulations on your winning knits.
I too love the tea cosy.
Perhaps you should have offered grumpy knitter a few knitting lessons. ;p
Posted by: Carol at April 21, 2007 08:48 AMYou would think they would be happy to get youth into the craft! Good thing I haven't gotten that attitude from our local county fair. But they do tend to not have very wide ranging categories since it is all hand crafts, not just knitting. Oh well. I think I got a 3rd with my knitting and many 1st and 2nd places with my cross-stitch and quilting. This year I am finishing Celtic Dreams, an aran, for entry. Oh, and my lace shawls and anything else that is done in time.
Posted by: Chris at April 21, 2007 09:52 AMCongratulations to you on getting such wonderful work recognized in the show. I have to say that I love that tea cozy, just so adorable. Maybe that woman was jealous of your work, but personally I think she should have just accepted the fact that your work is so wonderfully knitted, and I love seeing all of your work too. I cant wait to see who wins the book too, and pity about you already ordering the other one.
Posted by: Sue at April 21, 2007 10:07 AMI'm de-lurking to say congratulations! I found your blog about a week and a half ago (when I was googling for crafters with pet rabbits, hehe). At any rate, your tea cozy is absolutely wonderful. Beautiful work!
Posted by: shirley at April 21, 2007 10:38 AMCongratulations on the prizes! And for showing the old biddy that knitting isn't just for grandma :)
Posted by: JulieB at April 21, 2007 10:40 AMLike everyone else including the judges, I think that tea cosy is fabulous! Congratulations on your wins! That woman sounded like an old bag!
Posted by: Rachael at April 21, 2007 12:55 PMCongrats!!
The teacozy is so unbelievably cute.... ;)
congrats on winning (and getting second)...You did well. But from the sound of it you didnt really have much competition did you? (sure you would have won anyway though, your knitting is gorgeous).
That other lady sounds like a nosy cow!
One day I might get organised to get some of my knitwear into one of the shows down here. Maybe..in a few years! lol
Katt
Posted by: Katt at April 21, 2007 01:23 PMLots of well-deserved congrats to you and that mean weaver should be booted in the rear for her nastiness! (Sorry, but she really disgusted me)
Bunny hugs,
=:8
well done ...I love the fern garden stole ..glad they did too.
You know, I haven't ran into this attitude.. as yet ....certainly not like that..wonder if its a city /country difference ??
(bet that lady had same entries as yours !!)
Our display is terrible here as well .folded and jumbled into a small space behind a chicken wire fence !!!!
I managed to win many of the cooking sections one year and got lots of encouragement and tips ..but no attitude !!
Congratulations!! I think those old ladies saw you as a threat...some young thing coming in and doing better than they. What is the world coming too. ;o)
Posted by: Terri at April 21, 2007 05:57 PMcongrats on the wins!Also congrats for successfully 'putting it to the stereotype' lol.
If you can whack me in the magical draw for the book, that would be awesome
adios!
Posted by: Sally at April 21, 2007 06:06 PMDonna congratulations!! That tea cosy is just the height of fabulousness - I love it (even though it is pink!) Did you make up the pattern? If so, I'm begging you to share it!!
Pshaw to those pernickety women!! How exciting!! I hope you spend your winnings wisely!!!
Posted by: 2paw at April 21, 2007 10:04 PMfirstly congratulations! even hubby loves the tea cosy
secondly what a b**ch of an old lady! jealousy is a curse
i think your stuff was excellent and mmm interesting display but it must be a great feeling...now don't spend your prize money all at once will you! keep it in a safe place!
Corrie;)
Posted by: corrie at April 21, 2007 10:07 PMCongratulations on your wins! Your teacozy looks fabulous! What a horrible woman that woman sounds like ...
Posted by: Samantha at April 21, 2007 11:16 PMHi,you did very well in the Show, but looking at all your photos Im not surprised!!!
Huge Congradulations!!!!!
Its interesting where the "other" certain condescending persons butt in! When my handspun knitted lace vest was entered into a local show nearly 15 years ago(oh that makes me feel old!)Another organiser tried to insist it belonged to well known spinner in the area,I didnt attend any spinning groups so no one knew me! I was awarded 1st prize,thrilled as I was, I owed a big favour to my Mother in law as she picked that they had the wrong name on the vest!! I havent entered anything since and here in this area there is a fair, not a good old fashioned show,no animals just side shows and we have never been yet (in the seven years in this area) so I dont know what the pavillions like(yet)......
I totally must make that cozy. That is gorgeous.
Posted by: Madame Purl at April 24, 2007 02:00 PMThat tea cosy is the cutest thing I've ever seen. Is it a published pattern?
Posted by: Carol at April 25, 2007 11:10 AM
Congrats on the prizes and gee its more money than our local shows. I wouldnt enter there as I like my items secured better than just behind rope as I once did have a horror story occur with a crochet matinee jacket when it was not secured behind wire. Then again I have worries every time the tea cosy is out of my sight.
Posted by: metal and knit at April 20, 2007 11:52 PM