Do you knit, crochet, spin, weave, sew or quilt? Have you ever thought about entering the Make It With Wool (MIWW) contest? The MIWW promote the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics and yarns, encourages personal creativity, recognition of creative skills and development of life skills. The 2019 Make It With Wool (MIWW) contest is quickly approaching so here are the details.

The District 3 (Blaine, Broadwater, Cascade, Chouteau, Glacier, Hill, Judith Basin, Lewis & Clark, Liberty, Meagher, Pondera, Teton and Toole counties) contest is scheduled for November 2 in Great Falls. Entry forms are due to the District Director by October 4.

The fabric needs to be a minimum of 60% wool to qualify for the MIWW contest. Swatches of fabric must be lab tested in advance for the Junior, Senior and Adult Divisions.

The categories are Preteen (12 and under); Junior (13-16); Senior (17-24); Adult (age 25 and older); and Made for Others. Ages are determined as of January 1, 2019.

Entries can include: one-piece garments (dress, jumper, outerwear jacket, coat or cape); two-piece garment (outerwear coat, jacket, cape; blouse/shirt/vest or sweater with dress, jumper, skirt, pants or shorts); ensemble (three or more garments worn together at one time such as outerwear coat, jacket, cape, vest, blouse/shirt, and/or sweater with dress, jumper, skirt, pants or shorts.

Did you know a quilt/afghan contest is also held? The quilt top fiber content needs to be at least 60% wool, batting at least 60% wool or 100% cotton and backing at least 60% natural fiber (wool, cotton, linen or silk) and can be constructed by an individual or by a group by hand and/or machine. The size categories are wall hanging/table runner, 56” x 72” throw, twin, queen, king or afghan. Afghans can be knitted or crocheted with at least 60% wool yarn.

Other specialty fibers may also be used. These include mohair, alpaca, angora, camel, cashmere, llama or vicuna.

First place winners in the Junior, Senior, Adult, and Made for Others categories advance to the State competition which will be held during the Montana Wool Growers Convention held in Billings on December 2nd and 3rd.

4-H members are encouraged to participate in both the MIWW contest as well as their 4-H contests.

Entry forms and brochures are available at the Chouteau County Extension Office or you can contact the District 3 Director: Janet Smith, 406-799-7003 or miww3janet@gmail.com.

To learn more, contact Janell at the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3036, janellb@montana.edu or in the green building next to the Chouteau County Courthouse at 1308 Franklin St in Fort Benton with any questions or for more information.

Follow us on Facebook @ChouteauCountyExtension to keep up to date on what is happening in Chouteau County Extension and 4-H.

Montana State University, US Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.