Announcing the Winners of Maker Festivals Yarn & Fiber Art Awards 2023 Competition

Join us in learning about the winners of the inaugural Maker Festivals Yarn and Fiber Art Awards. This blue-ribbon event, recently held in historic Lancaster, PA, showcased the artistry of handknitted and crocheted garments and accessories, along with some truly creative works of fiber art. From cozy sweaters that encapsulate warmth to intricately designed accessories that redefine style, the competition celebrated the fusion of traditional techniques and contemporary design.

Join us as we delve into the remarkable pieces and talented individuals who took center stage in this unique celebration of fiber arts.

Related: Our Favorite Moments from Maker Festivals Lancaster 2023

Best In Show | Maureen Reinert

Maureen Reinert’s beautiful gray and purple cowl-neck tunic caught our eye with its incredible embroidery work.  At first glance, the deep purple stitchwork appears to be mosaic stitch, but closer inspection shows that each stitch is worked on the surface of a field of stockinette stitch with the roositud method. Give Maureen a round of applause for taking Best in Show with this gorgeous project!

Project Details: Roositud Sweater Dress by Stefanie Pollmeier; Knitted with Caron Simply Soft.

Best Garment – 1^st Place | Yvette Jiggetts

Yvette Jiggetts’ enthusiasm for crochet was contagious at Maker Festivals Lancaster. She literally took the shirt off her back to enter this yarn competition. Her striped crochet tank with contrasting hem and edging is totally on trend! We were so impressed with her craftsmanship that we awarded her first place in the garment category.

Project Details: Maya Tank by TL Yarn Crafts; Crocheted with Filly Fiber of Busy Fingers of Phila.

Best Garment – Runner Up | Jeannine Porter

Jeannine Porter impressed us with her handknit cardigan worked in Louet Euroflex and took the runner-up slot for Best Garment.

Best Accessory – 1^st Place | Regina Venettozzi

The beautiful hand and colorway of Regina Venettozzi’s Tunisian crochet shawl won our hearts for Best Accessory. Knowing how to pair the right hook size with the right yarn to achieve such a lovely drape takes skill! This shawl was so good, we wanted to take it home with us. Congrats to Regina on 1^st place in this category!

Project Details: Westmont Shawl by TL Yarn Crafts; Crocheted in Sewrella superwash Merino wool

Related: 4 Tunisian Crochet Hooks We Love

Best Accessory – Runner Up | Mary Espenro

There is no doubt that you would have liked to get a closer look at the buttery yellow, cable-covered wrap while at the show. It’s the work of Mary Espenro and won Best Accessory – Runner Up.

Best Fiber Art – 1^st Place | Katherine Olsen

Katherine Olsen submitted her original wall hanging mandala in the inaugural Maker Festivals Yarn & Fiber Art Awards competition and left with the blue ribbon for Best Fiber Art. The freeform crochet playfully uses a “kaleidoscope” of color, which inspired its name. Katherine used various shades of Impeccable Solid Yarn by Loops & Threads in the making of this design.

Best Fiber Art – Runner Up | Jill Tarabar

Jill Tarabar of Jist Designs submitted stained glass art to the fiber arts category! We loved her creative use of yarn and knitting as a theme for the motifs and textures in her work. We gave her purple and pink stained glass knitting tool holder 2^nd place. The knitting needles included in the design are just so clever!

Attendee and Online Favorites

We would also like to give an extra shout out to the two pieces that won Show Favorite and Online Favorite. Once we tallied all the votes, attendees selected Yvette Jiggetts’ tank as their favorite. Those voting in our Instagram stories choose Regina Venettozzi’s Tunisian crochet shawl as their favorite. Thanks to everyone who voted, whether in person or on social media!

We love a friendly competition that celebrates the beauty of handmade projects! A HUGE congratulations to all the winners in our first Yarn + Fiber Arts Awards Competition. Keep an eye out for the next competition at a future Maker Festivals event! We can’t wait to see what you create.

Leave a comment below to join us in with a word of cheer for all our entries! Which was your favorite?