Traditional Arts in Upstate New York. Traditional Arts of Upstate New York
53 Main Street
Canton, NY 13617
(315) 386-4289

Hat contest guidelines

Make a Hat--Win a Prize!

Need an incentive to pull out your knitting needles or crochet hooks?  We’ve got one!  TAUNY is sponsoring a hat contest!  North Country Noggins is a call to knitters and crocheters in the region to design and make a hat suitable for use in the North Country.

DEADLINE FOR ENTRY: All entries must be delivered to TAUNY by noon on Saturday, January 2, 2010; a $5 fee and information form must accompany each entry.

All hats entered will be on display at the TAUNY Gallery January 9 – 23. 
Judging will take place the morning of Saturday, January 9.

GUIDELINES
  • All hats must be handmade and substantially knitted or crocheted. Other needlework embellishments, such as embroidery, are permissible, as are adornments such as buttons or patches.
  • All hats must be wearable and appropriate for use in the North Country. We define the North Country as the northern half of New York State, including the Adirondacks, 1000 Islands, Lake Champlain Basin, and Black River Valley.  Entrants are not limited to a particular season. Hats for spring, summer, or fall use are welcome along with winter hats. Special purpose hats are also welcome. Hats may be for children or adults.
  • Original designs are encouraged. Participants may work with published patterns but must modify the pattern in some way. This might include changing the colors, altering the construction in some way, or changing the fiber used.
  • Use of natural fibers is encouraged, though not necessary.
JUDGING CRITERIA
  • Execution of construction
  • Aesthetic appeal of color and fiber
  • Success of design in serving the purpose
  • General appeal
PRIZES
  • Grand Prize $100 cash--Judges' Choice
  • People’s Choice--Two 50-gram skeins of Mohair
    yarn and a knitting needle inventory card donated
    by Linsie Woolsie, Canton
  • Best Use of Color--A grab bag of colorful yarn
    donated by Misty Hollow, Potsdam
  • Best Construction Technique
  • Most Fun
  • Best Execution of a Traditional Technique
 

       

JUDGES
Master knitter Barbara Klemens, owner of the Yarn Shop in Canton for over 50 years. 

Kate Wells, a passionate knitter who has been knitting since she was a teenager.

TAUNY Board member Hallie Bond, who is also an avid needleworker.


  

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q
Can I drop my entry off before January 2?
Yes.  We'll be ready to take hats after December 1, right up until the January 2 deadline. 

Q Can I enter more than one hat?
Yes! A person can enter up to six hats. The $5 entry fee will be charged for each entry. 

Q Why an entry fee?
A  The entry fees will go toward the Grand Prize of $100.  If we take in more hats than that, the additional fees will defray costs associated with the contest.

Q How do I enter my hat in the contest?
Hats must be delivered to TAUNY, either in person or through the mail.  Each entry must be accompanied by a $5 entry fee and an information form that will be used to make labels for the display.  (Download information form here.)

Q Why don’t you have separate categories for adult hats and children’s hats?
A We want this contest to be fun and not overly structured.  Remember that we will judge entries on concept and execution, general characteristics that apply whether the hats are big or small!  If we receive an avalanche of hats, we may consider additional categories.

Q How will the judging work?
A  Refer to criteria above. The judges will convene at TAUNY the morning of January 9 to make decisions.

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