Ontario Handspinning Seminar
Seminar 2026 | Displays and Competitions
2026 Competition
The Committee encourages everyone to submit entries to the competitions. While it’s nice to win an award, often the helpful comments from the judges are more valuable than any prize.
Skeins should be a minimum of 10 metres, tied in 4 places and untwisted.
Categories
Simple 2-ply skein; 3 or more ply skein: Your goal is to produce a consistent, balanced yarn.
Novelty skein: Your goal is to construct a yarn which boasts a decorative element. This may be a spinning technique (crepe or bouclé for example) or it may consist of additions to your spun yarn (beads, feathers etc.). The choice is yours … so have fun!
Spindle-spun skein: The 2-or-more-ply yarn must be spun and plied on a hand spindle.
Garments: Projects may include sweaters, vests, jackets, shawls, etc.
Accessories: Projects include what you’d expect: hats, scarves, socks and so forth, but don’t limit yourself!
Unfinished Symphonies: A project that didn’t quite get finished before the Seminar.
Other: Projects can include dolls, tea cozies, placemats, household items, abstract art, rugs...
Levels of Experience
Beginner (2 years or less), Intermediate (2-5 years), Advanced (more than 5 years).
Competition Guidelines
WHAT ARE THE JUDGES LOOKING FOR?
Please indicate if you are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced spinner. The yarn must meet the specifications in the competition directions.
A Balanced Yarn: The skein has no twist. Do not twist the yarn into a twisted skein. This sets an unwanted twist in the yarn.
Presentation: The skein is clean and carefully wound. The skein is the required length of 20 – 25 metres. The skein has been set to keep it neat and even. The skein has been loosely tied in four places to keep it in order when handled. The ends have been neatly trimmed.
Consistency: The thickness of the yarn is even (no handspun will be absolutely, perfectly smooth. That is the job of machines!) The number of twists per inch is consistent throughout the skein. The plan of decorative elements is evident.
Suitability for the Purpose: The choice of fibre should suit the end product (There is some leeway for personal preference). Grist (yarn diameter) is in accordance with its purpose (e.g. outdoor coat vs. baby's sweater). The yarn should be long enough for the purpose (e.g. scarf vs. rug). The hand (feel of the yarn) should suit the purpose (e.g. baby shawl vs. rug). The number of plies and twist should be suitable for abrasive use (e.g. crewel yarn needs 3 tight plies).
IMPORTANT COMPETITION ENTRY INFORMATION
To ensure that entries can be fairly judged, the criteria of the class must be met. Not doing so could disqualify the entry. Each entry must be accompanied by the enclosed form. DO NOT write your name on this form. Tags will be provided to identify your entry.
To help new entrants, we have provided some sample information:
Category: Special Project
Item: Crochet lace collar
Fibre(s): 100% Egyptian cotton
Preparation of the Fibre(s): I determined the end of the sliver from which the fibre readily slides. I loosened the fibres to draft easily.
Spinning and Plying Techniques: Singles were spun "S" on my great wheel. Three singles were plied "Z" on my Louet. Spinning "S" and plying "Z" prevents the yarn from unravelling when crocheted. Requirements for the 3-ply yarn was 50 g at 30 wraps per inch to complete the collar.
Finishing the Yarn(s): The plied yarn was wound on large plastic curlers and boiled for 30 minutes in 2 litres of water and I /8 cup washing soda. Air dried on the curlers.
Dying Techniques (if Used): To get an antique hue, I prepared strong tea. I boiled the yarn in the tea until slightly darker than the required colour. Quite a bit of colour will came out in the rinse.
Construction Technique: Pattern: Victorian collar, Magic Crochet, December 1995, #34, p. 82.
Finishing: Finished collar was washed in hot water with washing soda and then blocked to shape.
Comments: A detachable collar enables its use with a variety of garments. This pattern would work equally well in silk or linen.
You can download the feedback form for Special Projects and for Skeins if you would like a detailed look
The Display Room is a wonderful way to share all the beautiful items you have been working on and completed since we last gathered at the Seminar in June 2025. These are the people who understand the love, time, and care involved in the making! It can also be a time to receive feedback from experienced spinners.
The intake and evaluation forms that were used last year worked well. The same formats will be used this year (with a couple of minor tweaks). When completing the intake forms for your items, please provide as much detail as possible. This helps the judges evaluate your work and more points can be allotted for complete information regarding the components/stages in the creation of your items.
There are four options to consider when you submit your item(s) to the display room.
Choose one:
• Display only: Your item will be displayed for everyone to see.
• Display & Evaluation: Your item will be displayed for everyone to see and entered into one of the categories for official judging (awards available).
• Display & Feedback: Your item will be displayed for everyone to see and included in one of the categories for informal feedback, but not formally judged (hopefully in future years feel comfortable about submitting an item for formal judging).
• Baggie Challenge: Your item will be displayed for everyone to see and entered into the Baggie Challenge Award.
We have posted the entry and feedback forms on the site. Please have a look at them.
Complete them online and bring copies with your items. We hope that by sharing this information more people will submit their spinning in the various competitions. We can't wait to see what everyone has been spinning!