Keep the Fleece
New York Sheep and Wool Festival 2009
Keep the Fleece is:
A celebration in honor of the United Nations International Year of Natural Fibres
A competition for fiber artisans
A community for people involved at all levels of the fiber industry
A place where anyone from around the world can learn more about the valuable and precious world of natural fibers
Contest Rules
Anyone can enter. "Keep the Fleece" is open to everyone - professionals and amateurs alike. There is a separate category for professional designers although a single item may be entered in multiple categories where appropriate. For example, a scarf designed by Pam Allen made from Shetland wool could be entered in both the “Island Life” (for the Shetland Island wool) and Pro-create (for Professional Designers) categories.
Anywhere in the world. “Keep the Fleece” is focused on creating a universal fiber community involving everyone from those who knit with feverish abandon Down Under, to Cops who crochet on the beat in Guatemala.
Any fiber – naturally. Natural fibers include both animal and plant-based fibers. If you are interested in using a particular fiber but don't see it listed please send us an email to make sure it qualifies
August 15, 2009. All entries will be accepted for judging online no later than August 15th. Final judging will take place at New York Sheep and Wool Festival 2009
Contest Categories
- Like a Virgin: Any fiber from a young animal for example kid mohair or baby alpaca
- Eats, Shoots, and Leaves: Plant fibers including but not limited to cotton, hemp, jute, and coconut
- Camelot: Camelid fibers: guanaco, vicuña, alpaca, llama, and camel
- GI Joe: Any item made by a man
- Climb Every Mountain: Goat Fibers: One hundred percent cashmere or mohair
- Inch by Inch: One hundred percent pure or re-cycled silk
- Island Life: Any fiber from a plant or animal that originates from an island such as Icelandic wool, or sheep native to North Ronaldsay, St. Kilda’s, etc.
- Treks and Tracks: Any combination of yak, bison, or muskox fiber
- Off with your Hat!: A hat made from any endangered breed of British sheep
- What's up Doc?: Any item made of at least twenty percent angora fiber; the remaining content must be all natural
- Pro-create!: Any natural fiber garment made by a professional designer (A professional designer is anyone who has had more than five designs published in a craft or fiber trade publication.)
- Triple Sundae: Any combination of three natural fibers - preferably your three favorites!
Judging
Contest entries will be judged according to the following criteria:
uniqueness of design
level of difficulty
use of color
functionality
description
Judges
The initial round of judging will be done online. Anyone can register to be a judge online by providing their name and email address. There will be a weekly email sent with a link to new entries and place to rate each one. The finalists will send their entry to New York in October to be judged by our panel of international experts at the New York Sheep and Wool Festival
Visit website for complete details: keepthefleece.org
