It's time for the Virtual Yarnover Shawl Contest! While we'd all rather be enjoying a wonderful Yarnover Dinner together and seeing these beautiful shawls in person, let's embrace this next best thing for the times we are in. 

At the beginning of each entry, you will find the number for the entry, the name of the knitter, their Ravelry id in parentheses, the pattern name, and yarn name(s). All the information and pictures were provided by the knitters themselves, so it is correct to our knowledge. Please look them over and chose a favorite in two categories, best use of color and best use of texture or lace. (Yes, we know we could have many more categories, but these seem to cover the most while keeping things simple.) Remember, we considered a shawl to encompass anything that went around the shoulders, so ponchos, capes, wraps, etc... were also welcome.

When you have picked you favorites, vote here with their numbers. You can only vote once! Voting closes at 8:00am on Monday, April 27th. We will also pick a random winner from those that do not win one of the categories.

Now on to the entries...

1. Laura (birdette) Pattern: Rave by Tin Can Knits Yarn: Lavender Lune Yarn Co. 2019 Yarnover Spring Forest Shawl Kit in DK MCN

2. Heather (heath22) Pattern: loosely based on Touchstone by Laura Aylor Yarn: Autumn & Indigo Fibers Classic Sock

3. Andrea (andreareallycooks) Pattern: Make Your Marl by Susan Ashcroft Yarn: Araucania Huasco DK in color 105 Grass

4. Rebecca (spockie) Pattern: Strandwanderer Yarn: Hanalei Hand Dyed SW Merino Sock

5. Nancy (nanellcam) Pattern: Dominoes & Lace by WandaMae Kafka (2019 Shop Hop pattern from Amazing Threads in Maple Grove)(with a minor modification - I finished with another repeat of the dominoes section rather than scalloped edge with tassels) Yarn: Baah Yarn La Jolla (colors: chain reaction, domino effect, and pips)

6. Kris (knitrad) Pattern: Northmavine Hap by Kate Davies Yarn: Jamieson & Smith 2ply Jumper Weight

7. Sharon (chinamom) Pattern: Aeria shawl Yarn: Knitting My Way Home handspun

8. Susan (1Blackcat) Pattern: Fabulosity Yarn: The Plucky Knitter Primo Fingering in Small Batch 25, You Jump, I Jump Remember, Icey Audrey, Cuddle Bug

9. Susan (lv2knit) Pattern: The Miller's Daughter by Melanie Berg Yarn: Malabrigo Sock, Madelinetosh Light, and a hodgepodge of others!

10. Jean (jma) Pattern: Floatini Yarn: Adorn Luxe by Three Irish Girls and Silk-Mohair by Isager 

11. Jess (jvoigt02) Pattern: Hint of Autumn by Tamy Gore Yarn: Rustic Fingering from Neighborhood Fibre Co and Lady Dye Yarns Superwash fingering, predominantly.

12. Karen (kberyl) Pattern: Mercato de Fiori Yarn: Mirasol & Nuna

13. Carolyn (c6n) Pattern: Unknown (from a kit purchase at Yarnover 2019)(ed. note: it may be The Scream Wrap) Yarn: Noro, Silk Garden

14. Elizabeth (eambrozaitis) Pattern: Arctic Arches (my own design, using variations on an arched-lace pattern) Yarn: Wool, origin uncertain. Found at a thrift shop for $2.50. It was noddied and is of high quality, possibly handspun.

15. Deepa (deeni) Pattern: Slippy Poncho Yarn: ModeKnit Modewerk Bulky

16. Sheryl (sherylknits) Pattern: My own design called: Ralph Lauren Poncho Yarn: Jamieson & Smith Shetland Supreme Jumper (front of Poncho), Classic Elite Mohawk Wool (back of Poncho)

17. Shira (shira-b) Pattern: Hansel Hap (Full Version) by Gudrun Johnston Yarn: Mystery hand-dyed yarn from Textile Center Garage Sale (MC) and Harrisville Designs Shetland (CC)

18. Kendra (KnittyVet) Pattern: short row shawl of my own design Yarn: KnittyVet Garden Yarn naturally dyed fingering weight

19. Lauren (KnittingPharmer) Pattern: Starflake shawl by Stephen West Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn in Fucsia and Chocolate Margo 

20. Kristi (SockNubbins) Pattern: Sunspotter by Lisa K Ross Yarn: Queen City Yarn, The Girl Who Crafted

21. Leslie (lkwasnieski) Pattern: Loose Ends by Jennifer Weissman Yarn: Hedgehog twist - Pollen, Juniper, Knitted Wit fingering - Kiss and Teal, Wonderland Knits - Victorian china

22. Nancy K (yodank) Pattern: The Scream Wrap Yarn: Phydeaux designs aegypti and cashmere 

23. Susan W (skwells46) Pattern: Kaleidoscope Poncho Yarn: Noro Silk Garden

24. Amy (aymr) Pattern: Spring Forth shawl by Romi Hill  Yarn: Floating by A Verb For Keeping Warm

25. Katie (katieemma) Pattern: Orthogonal Shawl by Emily Greene Yarn: Brooklyn Tweed Peerie in Arabesque

26. Jodi (Jyarnin) Pattern: Picnic Yarn: Freia Fine Handpaints (used two color graidents)

Just one more note: For our April survey, we thought we'd tie into the virtual shawl contest! Tell us about your favorite shawl / shawlette / caplet / poncho / cape here! We love to see what you've been making!

March 15, 2020

To the Members of the Minnesota Knitters’ Guild:

I really cannot believe how many times I find myself saying these are unprecedented times we find ourselves in. In times of strife we all need to find some times of solace more than ever. Thank goodness for our knitting skills.  

We continue to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of our Guild members at our events,  at this point most of those decisions are to forgo our meetings in an effort to do our part to limit COVID-19 exposures as requested at both a State and Federal Level.  We did have a regularly scheduled board meeting on March 10, 2020 where we had a discussion of Yarnover but over the last couple of days things continued to evolve in which decision making needed to occur. On Friday when the Minnesota Department of Health made recommendations it required a discussion and ultimate vote of the Board.  

• Event organizers cancelling or postponing gatherings with 250 or more people, including concerts, conferences, professional and amateur performances or sporting events.  .https://www.health.state.mn.us/news/pressrel/2020/covid031320.html

Our attendance has been over 800 people the last couple of years and in discussion with the Crowne Plaza an agreement was reached to cancel Yarnover for 2020.  

This is our 34th year of Yarnover and we have a wonderful committee who has worked hard to put this on. Not to mention: teachers excited to teach, vendors who are eager to sell us wonderful yarn and materials, as well as everyone wanting to learn and be in a knitting community. These are not decisions we take lightly as there are many parties involved but it is the best and safest one for our Guild. We set our sights on 2021, where we will come together and celebrate our 35th year!  

If you are craving our Guild knitting community we have started a virtual KAL in our Ravelry Group. Please stop by and check out what our members are currently knitting.  

As always, should you have any questions please let me know.

Amy Hawley, President

Need a break from all the stress? Join us in a Get Away From It All KAL. Chat, win prizes, share pictures, and of course knit! Find us on our Ravelry group.