Today is the first day of the Minnesota State Fair and that means the winners have been announced in the Creative Activities competitions. Congratulations to everyone who took a ribbon on the hand knitting categories! 

Here are the winners of the Minnesota Knitters' Guild Rosettes. Each of them receives a year's Guild membership.

• Sweepstakes winner - Elizabeth Kro
• Best Overall Shawl - Susan Rainey
• Best Overall Mittens - Kerry Palm
• Best Overall Hat - Lauren Breitbarth
• Best Overall Afghan - Denise Stanley

And here is a list of all the Guild members who took home ribbons this year. 

Afghan made in strips or modules

• 4th - Suzanne Ross

Lap Robe 

• 1st - Kim LaBerge
• 2nd - Ann Wasson
• 3rd - Ruth Johnson
• 5th - Suzanne Ross

Shawl or Stole, heavy weight, 16" or more

• 1st - Amy Hawley
• 4th - Tracy Pokrzywa
• 5th - Kendra Holmes

Shawl or Stole, medium weight, 16" or more

• 1st - Barbara Strenge

Stole (rectangle), light weight, 16"

• 4th - Tracy Pokrzywa

Shawl, fine weight, 25" or more

• 2nd - Ellen Silva
• 5th - Rachel Keogh

Shawlette, fine weight, up to 25"

• 2nd - Kristine King

Mittens, plain

• 2nd - Barbara Strenge

Mittens, texture

• 2nd - Bonnie Esplie

Mittens, color pattern

• 5th - Peggy Mann Rinehart

Scarf, heavy weight

• 1st - Robin Westacott
• 2nd - Rush Johnson

Scarf, medium weight

• 2nd - Tracy Pokrzywa

Scarf, light weight

• 1st - Susan Rainey
• 2nd - Kim LaBerge

Gloves

• 1st - Bonnie Esplie

Cap or Hat, plain

• 1st - Bonnie Esplie
• 3rd - Rebecca Ganzel Thompson

Cap or Hat, texture

• 1st - Bonnie Esplie
• 2nd - Katie Longanecker
• 3rd - Kim LaBerge

Cap or Hat - color pattern

• 4th - Bonnie Esplie
• 5th - Mary Zweber

Socks, solid, texture

• 1st - Kelly Amoth

Socks, open work

• 3rd - Bonnie Esplie

Socks, color or intarsia

• 1st - Kelly Amoth
• 2nd - Peggy Mann Pinehart

Socks, plain or ribbed

• 2nd - Delia Lam
• 5th - Shira Burton

Child Sweater, Dress or Suit, texture

• 1st - Peggy Mann Rinehart

Child Sweater, Dress or Suit, color pattern

• 1st - Cathy Schuster

Adult Sweater, plain pullover

• 1st - Anna Sorgert
• 4th - Elizabeth Watkins
• 5th - Rebecca Anspach

Adult Sweater, texture pullover

• 3rd - Anna Sorgert

Adult Sweater, texture cardigan

• 1st - Lucy Norman
• 2nd - Anna Sorgert
• 5th - Steph Emerich

Adult Sweater, limited use, texture cardigan

• 1st - Delia Lam

Adult Sweater, color pattern pullover

• 1st - Jay Katzenberger
• 2nd - Evelyn Davidheiser
• 5th - Paula Knutzen

Adult Sweater, color pattern cardigan

• 1st - Kristine King
• 2nd - Evelyn Davidheiser

Adult Sweater, limited use, color pattern pullover

• 2nd - Delia Lam
• 4th - Tracy Pokrzywa
• 5th - Anna Sorgert

Adult Jacket/Coat

• 1st - Evette Wissler
• 5th - Katie Block

Sleeveless Sweater or Vest, plain or texture

• 1st - Amanda Olson
• 2nd - Susan Rainey

Cowl

• 1st - Susan Rainey

Knit Bag - Felted

• 1st - Susan Rainey
• 4th - Barbara Strenge

Holiday Sock

• 3rd - Anna Sorgert

Not otherwise specified, wearable

• 1st - Evelyn Davidheiser
• 3rd - Rebecca Anspach

Not otherwise specified, not wearable

• 1st - Shira Burton

Best Article Made of Wool (Dick and Juanita Boniface Rosette)

• Evelyn Davidheiser

Best Child Size Item (The Yarnery Rosette)

• Peggy Mann Rinehart

Best Hand Knit Sweater of Traditional Norwegian Design (Ingebretsen Rosette)

• Jay Katzenberger

Best Use of Color and Texture for Mittens (3 Kittens Needle Arts Rosette)

• Bonnie Esplie

Best Use of Color and Texture for Adult Sweaters

• Connie Iversen

Best Gloves (Penelope Knitters Rosette)

• Bonnie Esplie

Best Bag (Lila & Claudine's Yarn & Gifts Rosette)

• Susan Rainey

Best Hand-Spun Article (Knit Shop at Rocking Horse Farm Rosette)

• Tracy Pokrzywa

Seniors Knitted Scarf

• 2nd Susan Rainey

Seniors Knitted, not otherwise specified

• 1st - Susan Rainey

Knit Child’s Cap or Bonnet

• 1st - Susan Rainey

Child’s 3-Piece Ensemble

• 2nd - Bonnie Swierzbin

Child’s Garment Unspecified

• 4th - Umo Udo

If we've missed anyone let us know. Please keep in mind these are only the awards in the obvious hand knitting categories, so people may have also entered knit items in non-knitting categories.

Don't forget our State Fair Show & Tell meeting is Tuesday, September 18th! Bring up to five hand knit items that you entered along with the judges' critiques to share. The meeting starts at 7:00pm, but we ask that you arrive early to sign up for the show & tell. Please bring the name of the pattern and the yarn used too.