Sheep to Shawl Competition

2025 SHEEP TO SHAWL COMPETITION

Date: Sunday November 16, 2025
Time:
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM, Judging at 1:00 PM
Location:
Rotunda
Judge: TBC


Important Dates and Reminders

Entry Closing Date:Friday October 31, 2025
Entry Fee:$35.00 per entry. Entries made day of competition will incur an entry fee of $40.00

Entry Delivery Address:

Agriculture Show Office, Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
Door #33, Manitoba Drive, Exhibiton Place
Toronto, ON, M6K 3C3

Rules and Regulations:

  1. Entries must be made via Assist Expo, RAWF’s online entry system.
  2. Each team will be composed of six (6) persons.
  3. The committee will supply Canadian Fleece to each team. The fleece wool may be blended with up to 50% other natural fibres such as silk, alpaca, cot-ton etc., from which the shawl is constructed. A sample of the prepared roving will be provided to the judge. NOTE: A draw will take place to distribute the fleeces among the teams.
  4. The finished shawl must have an area no less than 1,200 sqaure inches, with a length no less than 60 inches.
  5. Teams are to submit a copy of the weaving pattern and a sample of the spun plied and unplied yarn, minimum one (1) yard in length.
  6. Each team will provide its own warped loom, hand-spun or commercial wool or wool blended up to 50% with other natural fibres, set at 8-12 epi. Teams may hand-dye their warp or use natural coloured wool. Details of dying method will be helpful to the judge. No commercially dyed warps are to be used.
  7. Six one-day passes will be sent via email to each team leader upon receipt of the entry.
  8. Exhibitors will be allowed to deliver equipment to the Lower East Annex, Door # 33 along Manitoba Drive Exhibition Place, and then move thier vehicle to a RAWF parking lot.

Shawl Score Card

Team Identification and Display
Displays may include posters, photos, equipment, and other informational materials to explain the crafts of spinning and weaving.

10 points

Spinning
Consistency in twist of both single and plied yarn.
30 points
Weaving
Evenness of selvages, evenness of beat, even width at all points, ends, errors.
40 points
Patterns / Design
Set 8-12 epi. Complexity of design / pattern, apporpriateness of design to warp and weft, design and overall colour of finished shawl
20 points
Overall Quality
Finished size must be at least 60" long and total 1200 sqaure inches overall. Finishings to include fringe, drape, hand of fabric etc.
20 points
Completion in Allotted Time
Time limit is 4 hours. 1 point deducted for every minute late.
10 points
TOTAL BASE POINTS
130 points
BONUS
- 1/2 point (max. 5) for every 10% of hand spun in the warp
- 1/2 point (max.5) for every 10% of naturally dyed threads

Prize Money

Ribbons will be awarded to 5th place, all team members to recieve a rosette.

1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
$100
$80
$60
$40
$20



    Sheep To Shawl Competition

    Prizes: 1st: $100, 2nd: $80, 3rd: $60, 4th: $40, 5th: $20

    Classes:

    1.

    Sheep To Shawl

    Champion Sheep to Shawl Banner

    Sponsor: Guelph Handweavers & Spinners, Champion Sheep to Shawl Banner