Shenandoah Valley
Fiber Festival Berryville, Virginia
September 26 & 27, 2026 · Sheep/Goat Barn

Festival Competitions

Championships for hands at every wheel, hook, needle, and spindle — plus a weekend-long hand-dyed yarn showcase where you pick the winners. Come to compete, or come to cheer.

Weekend schedule

All competition events take place in the Sheep/Goat Barn unless noted. Championship check-in opens before each event — arrive early to claim your seat.

Download entry forms for all competitions (PDF)

Saturday, September 26 10 AM – 5 PM

TimeEventLocation
10:00 AM – 5:00 PMVendor Hand-Dyed Yarn People's Choice — Display & VotingSheep/Goat Barn
10:30 AM – 3:30 PMFiber Tool Discovery AreaSheep/Goat Barn
11:00 – 11:45 AMKnitting ChampionshipSheep/Goat Barn
1:00 – 1:45 PMWheel Spinning ChampionshipSheep/Goat Barn

Sunday, September 27 10 AM – 4 PM

TimeEventLocation
10:00 AM – 3:00 PMVendor Hand-Dyed Yarn People's Choice — Display & VotingSheep/Goat Barn
10:30 AM – 3:30 PMFiber Tool Discovery AreaSheep/Goat Barn
11:00 – 11:45 AMCrochet ChampionshipSheep/Goat Barn
1:00 – 1:45 PMDrop Spindle ChampionshipSheep/Goat Barn
3:00 PMPeople's Choice Voting ClosesSheep/Goat Barn
3:30 PMCompetition AwardsSheep/Goat Barn

Both days

TimeEventLocation
Festival hoursGuild DemonstrationsFestival-wide / TBD

The championships

Four timed events, one per craft. Every championship runs 45 minutes with Youth (ages 12–17), Beginner, and Advanced divisions, awards through third place plus a Judge's Choice, and an entry capacity of 24 (subject to space). The festival provides a chair, a numbered entry card, and a judging sheet for each competitor.

Knitting Championship

Saturday · 11:00–11:45 AM · Check-in 10:15–10:45

A timed test of technical skill, craftsmanship, and speed. Knit a scarf 6–8 inches wide in 45 minutes — judging weighs stitch consistency, craftsmanship, and presentation above raw length, though length counts too.

Bring & know
  • Bring your own needles, accessories, and natural-fiber yarn (no synthetics) in DK or Worsted weight.
  • Any stitch pattern, technique, or style is welcome.
  • When time is called, all needles down — what's done is your entry.
  • Scoring: stitch consistency, craftsmanship, presentation, and length — 5 points each, 20 total.
DivisionsYouth 12–17 · Beginner · Advanced
Capacity24 entries, subject to space

Wheel Spinning Championship

Saturday · 1:00–1:45 PM · Check-in 12:15–12:45

Prepared wool in, finished yarn out. This is not a speed event — judging recognizes control and technique: consistency of diameter and twist, finished yarn quality, and presentation.

Bring & know
  • Any hand-operated or electric wheel (or approved wheel-style device); equipment choice never affects judging.
  • The festival provides each competitor one 2-oz bag of wool roving — identical fiber within each division.
  • No practice with the competition fiber before the official start.
  • Scoring: consistency of diameter & twist, yarn quality, presentation — 5 points each, 15 total.
DivisionsYouth 12–17 · Beginner · Advanced
Capacity24 entries, subject to space

Crochet Championship

Sunday · 11:00–11:45 AM · Check-in 10:15–10:45

The hook-side mirror of Saturday's knitting event: a 6–8 inch wide scarf in 45 minutes, judged first on technique and finish, with completed length as one scoring component.

Bring & know
  • Bring your own hooks, accessories, and natural-fiber yarn (no synthetics) in DK or Worsted weight.
  • Any stitch, pattern, or style you choose.
  • When time is called, all crocheting stops — the piece as it stands is judged.
  • Scoring: stitch consistency, craftsmanship, presentation, and length — 5 points each, 20 total.
DivisionsYouth 12–17 · Beginner · Advanced
Capacity24 entries, subject to space

Drop Spindle Championship

Sunday · 1:00–1:45 PM · Check-in 12:30–12:45

One of the oldest tools in fiber, judged on what matters: balanced, consistent yarn. Work at a steady pace — control and craftsmanship win here, not speed.

Bring & know
  • Drop spindle or support spindle of your choice; bring your routine personal spinning tools.
  • The festival provides one 2-oz bag of wool roving per competitor — identical fiber within each division.
  • Finished yarn is presented off the spindle, neatly organized for evaluation.
  • Scoring: consistency of diameter & twist, yarn quality, presentation — 5 points each, 15 total.
DivisionsYouth 12–17 · Beginner · Advanced
Capacity24 entries, subject to space

The 2026 Festival Community Long Scarf

At the end of the knitting and crochet championships, competitors may donate their scarves to the festival. Donated scarves are sewn end-to-end into one continuous Community Scarf — measured, featured on the festival website, and displayed at next year's festival. Donation is entirely optional; your scarf is yours to keep.

Vendor Hand-Dyed Yarn People's Choice

A weekend-long showcase of the festival's dyers — and you're the judge. Registered vendors who produce and sell hand-dyed yarn may enter one skein per category, and festival attendees vote for their favorites all weekend. Winners are chosen entirely by People's Choice ballots.

VariegatedMultiple colors blended or repeated throughout the skein.
NaturalNaturally dyed yarns from plant, insect, mineral, or other natural dye sources.
Artistic / SpecialtyCreative, experimental, themed, speckled, gradient, or other unique colorways.
SolidA single, uniform color throughout the skein.

Voting & awards

Display
Saturday & Sunday, festival hours
Voting
Throughout the weekend
Voting closes
Sunday, 3:00 PM
Awards
Sunday, 3:30 PM
Pickup
Vendors collect entries after judging; unclaimed entries are donated to the festival

Around the barn

Fiber Tool Discovery Area

Saturday & Sunday · 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM · Sheep/Goat Barn

A hands-on corner for the fiber-curious — get acquainted with the tools of the craft between championship events. Details to be announced.

Guild Demonstrations

Both days · Festival hours · Festival-wide, locations TBD

Regional fiber guilds demonstrate spinning, weaving, felting, and more throughout the grounds all weekend. Stop, watch, and ask questions — that's what they're there for.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register in advance?

Advance registration is recommended and may be required. The final guide will identify which events allow walk-ins.

Can I enter more than one competition?

Yes, provided schedules do not conflict and each entry meets the published requirements.

Can beginners participate?

Yes. Beginner and youth divisions are included in the primary live contests.

Are electric spinning wheels allowed?

Yes. The Wheel Spinning Championship permits hand-operated and electric spinning wheels. Equipment choice does not affect judging.

Will materials be supplied?

The festival provides one 2-ounce bag of wool roving for the Wheel Spinning and Drop Spindle Championships. Knitting and crochet contestants provide their own DK or Worsted weight yarn.

Can I bring my own yarn?

Yes for the Knitting and Crochet Championships, provided it is DK or Worsted weight. Spinning competitors use the festival-provided roving.

How are People's Choice votes counted?

Votes are collected through the approved ballot method and verified by designated staff before awards. See the People's Choice Voting Rules section.

What happens if a category has only one or two entries?

The Competition Chair may combine categories or award recognition without placement, as stated in the final rules.

Are locations final?

The live competition location is currently proposed as the Dairy Barn. Other activity locations remain subject to final festival leadership approval.

Where should questions be sent?

The final public guide will include the approved SVFF contact email and registration link.