August in Scotland is the time of the country show, when folk celebrate their livestock, produce, and the work of their own hands. Many of these shows – particularly those in Shetland – are famous for their knitting competitions, and it always gives me a thrill when a lovely knitter sends me a message to let me know that they have won a show ribbon or rosette with something they’ve made from one of my patterns. I received one such message the other day, but rather than coming from Scotland, it had been sent all the way from Minnesota, where Elizabeth Watkins had won a grand prize at the State Fair!
Elizabeth had won with her beautifully-knitted version of my Smookie pattern, worked in our Ooskit yarn. The pattern is written for a combination of in-the-round and back and forth knitting, but Elizabeth worked hers entirely in the round, with neat, steeked armscyes. She also used a tubular cast on, and took great care with where she finished the garment at the top, ensuring the panels met up at the best point for a really sleek look at the shoulders. It is an impeccably knitted and finished garment, and clearly the judges thought so too, as it did not only win a blue ribbon in the “limited use of texture” category, but was awarded the big blue rosette for best sweater overall, out of more than 200 entries! Many congratulations Elizabeth! (You can admire her project on Ravelry here.)
I feel very honoured that Elizabeth chose this pattern (which is, incidentally, my favourite September sweater) and our Ooskit yarn (whose range of natural sheep shades we will, in fact, be adding to this autumn).
If making a Smookie for yourself, do note that the sweater is intentionally oversized, with a fit around the scyes and shoulders that has been specifically designed to work with a relatively large amount of ease around the body. (Yes, I am wearing the sweater with more than 20 inches of positive ease in these photographs!) Be brave with the ease for a well-fitting garment!
The season of country shows is very nearly sweater season, and I am already hard at work on some new Ooskit garment patterns, some involving texture, some involving colourwork – fun! What’s on your needles?
Congratulations, Elizabeth, and happy sweater knitting everyone!
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I have not knit Smookie yet, but it is one that I hope to get to. I love my Sarkle!
I am a steward in Handicrafts at our state show here in Adelaide and work mostly in the Knitting and Crochet area. We often see lovely work but I know the judges would go “ooooooh” at this. It really is very, very well done indeed. Congratulations Elizabeth!
And even more impressive in this meticulous work: on her Ravelry page it shows how she noticed a mistake 67 rows down and unraveled a section and then reknit it back up again! Whew! makes me sweat just looking at it!
I KNOW!
Lovely. I enjoy entering knitted objects in my county fair here in Oklahoma. This year it will be socks knit in the Mary Delany pattern. While OK is not a knit happy as MN is, I’m still cheered whenever I receive a ribbon for my knit work.
WELL done Elizabeth! congratulations.
Congratulations to Elizabeth – the Minnesota State Fair is a big deal!
Elizabeth’s Smookie is a beauty. Well done!
The Minnesota State Fair is a fiendish competition. This state is full of very skilled, talented knitters with long winters to work on dazzling projects. Winning any ribbon at all is a feat. I know Elizabeth, this is very well-deserved. Now all of us want to make a Smookie!
Congratulations Elizabeth! Your sweater is gorgeous.
I made a Smookie in Ooskit when the pattern first came out. I’m so happy to hear that there will be more patterns for Ooskit as I really love that yarn. Congratulations to Elizabeth on her beautifully executed Smookie!
That still is such a classic design and one I hope to knit some day.