Sheep to Shaw Guidelines and Info

Sheep to Shawl aka Roving to Scarf

The 2017 Roving to Scarf Competition Needs YOU!

The coordinator for the last couple of years went back to school, so we are looking for a new coordinator. Here’s what it takes…

Recruit a few teams – that way it’s more of a competition then a demonstration (though there’s nothing wrong with a demo! )
Update the guidelines.
Select a judge – Someone who knows about spinning and weaving – we know who the recent judges have been, so SAFF can help with that.
Get the party started! You’ll communicate with the teams and the SAFF liaison to be sure everybody gets the lowdown of this friendly competition.

Does that sound like something you’d like to do? If so contact AnneMarie. We’d love to have someone in this spot by May 1st.

In the past few years we have taken a different approach to the traditional Sheep to Shawl. Over the last decade or so, we have done a true Sheep to Shawl competition, a Sheep to Shawl demonstration, then a contemporary Sheep to Shawl demonstration, with spinners using hand-dyed roving to spin the yarn and the shawl woven on a rigid heddle loom and then the recent years’ Roving to Scarf competition with three teams competing.

Summary of Competition Guidelines – 2016 – to be updated!

Teams of 3 – one weaver and 2 spinners – will create a 8″ by 68″ scarf, spinning all the yarn for the weft and weaving it on a pre-warped rigid heddle loom in just 3 hours.
Finished scarves will be judged on the quality of spinning, weaving and overall aesthetics.
Cash prizes for the winners!

Start talking to your fiber friends so you can form your team!

Prizes and sponsorships are being finalized and more information will be posted as it becomes available.

Printer friendly version of this page: 2016 Fiber to Scarf Competition

The Guidelines…Also known as “The Fine Print”

Teams:

Teams will register via Google Docs, or via email to christina@thewoolmonger.com. Space is limited to the first six teams to register, so the Google Docs form will the be fastest way to ensure you gain a spot. The teams will be comprised of

1 Weaver

2 Spinners

Teams will be responsible for for bringing their own fiber and equipment.

Presentation:

Each team will be responsible for a poster, detailing

Team information: names of team members, location of team
Inspiration: What inspired you to make this particular scarf, color selection/pattern, etc.
Technical Information: equipment used, weaving pattern/strategy, fiber used, spinning techniques, fiber processing methods

Equipment and Fiber:

Weaving Equipment: Looms should be able to have an 8-inch on the loom width. Any rigid heddle loom is acceptable. Four-harness table looms are not allowed. Looms will be pre-warped with yarn to make a scarf 68 inches long.

Spinning Equipment: All spinning wheels and spinning equipment allowed, including motorized spinners and electric drum carders. Tools can include (but are not limited to) carders, combs, drum carders, flickers, carding boards, and hackles.

Fiber: All types of fiber are allowed. This includes (but is not limited to) wool, mohair, alpaca, llama, flax, hemp, silk, milk protein, rayon, nylon, angelina, soy protein, camel, bison, opossum, milkweed, paper, dryer lint…you get the idea.

Fabric: All fabrics are accepted. There is no restriction on warp or weft yarn size. Anything goes, be creative! That being said, judges will take into consideration the pattern, yarn, and overall aesthetic result.

The Points:

Teams will be judged based on the following point criteria. The teams will be placed upon completion of the competition according to the overall accumulation of points (including bonus/deduction).

The Points:

Teams will be judged based on the following point criteria. The teams will be placed upon completion of the competition according to the overall accumulation of points (including bonus/deduction).

Team Sign

Presentation of team/project information (5 points)

Fiber

Choice and Preparation (10 points)

Spinning

Quality of Preparation (in relation to technique) (5 points)
Overall Consistency (5 points)
Advanced Techniques (10 points)

Weaving

Design (10 points)
Consistency of Edges (5 points)
Evenness of Edges (5 points)
Evenness of Beating (5 points)
Handspun Warp (10 points)

Time

First Finished (10 points)
Second Finished (5 points)

Point Deduction

Less than 68 inches long (15 points DEDUCTED)
Less than 8 inches wide (15 points DEDUCTED)

Bonus Points

Team prepped fiber during competition (15 BONUS points)
Fringe (5 BONUS points)
Use of SAFF fiber/vendor (10 BONUS points)
Proof of sale required on competition day to gain points. Sale does not have to take place at SAFF.

If you are interested, please contact Anne Marie at demonstrations@saffsite.com.