You've probably met Birgit Kraeft at The Endless Skein, where she dispenses sage advice on yarn, pattern choices, and color combinations. You may have admired her gorgeous knit samples and hand-sewn bags and organizers in the store. Perhaps you've taken a lesson or class with Birgit and discovered that she is also a skilled and patient instructor.

Birgit spoke with us recently about what it was like to participate in her first Fleece to Shawl competition, in which her team won first place! Read on to learn more about this multi-talented woman.

Please tell us about your Fleece to Shawl competition! Where was it held? What were the guidelines?

The competition took place in the wool room on the grounds of the Ulster County Fair in New Paltz. Three teams competed.

Each team consists of one weaver and four spinners. One of the spinners plies the singles spun by the other three and ensures the weaver always has a full bobbin for her weaving shuttle available. One of the spinners is the presenter, who gives a bio on each team member and talks about the project: the type of loom, the type of fiber, the pattern, etc.

Electrical equipment may not be used. The loom can be warped ahead of time but the fiber for the weft has to be carded and spun during the competition. Spinners must remain with their equipment the entire time except for one scheduled break.

The competition at the Ulster County Fair was 4 hours long. Other competitions may only be 3 hours.

Do you belong to a guild? What was your team called, and what was your role in the competition?

I joined the Ulster County Spinner’s Guild last year. The other 2 guilds in the area meet when I’m at work. Our team was the Aurora Borealis Spinners and we all dressed to represent those colors.

I had never participated in a competition before and was a spinner.

How/when did you learn to spin?

I taught myself how to spin on a spinning wheel starting in February of 2020. By the end of March, NY was under Covid lockdown. I watched everything I could find on YouTube, bought several books and spinning fiber online. I got a lot of practice during those 6 weeks.

Are you more comfortable with a drop spindle or a wheel?

I’m more comfortable on a wheel and that’s what we use for competitions. I’m practicing more on spindles after we had a drop spindle class at The Endless Skein.

I'm curious about the history of these competitions. Are they a relatively new phenomenon?

Originally these competitions were Sheep to Shawl, meaning the shearer would demonstrate his or her skill shearing the sheep and the fiber would be then used to card, spin and weave. Fleece to Shawl competitions are usually much shorter, and the fleece we work with is washed and sometimes dyed a pretty color.

Did your team dye the fleece?

One of our spinners scoured the fleece to get the lanolin and dirt out of the white fleece and then dyed most of it blue and some of it green.

What are the criteria for the shawl and what are the judges looking for?

The must meet criteria is the size: at least 18 inches wide and 72 inches long. The judge examined the shawl for uniform width, weaving errors, consistency in the spun yarn, and design. Points are also given for finishing first, teamwork and camaraderie, fleece choice and preparation, spinning, weaving, shawl design, speed, finishing, and size, bonus for handspun warp.

Your team placed first! What do you think set your team and your team's shawl apart from the rest?

We finished early, with 1.5 hours left to spare. This allowed us to add a fancy double braided fringe. We received extra points for working on a Dorset loom which requires direct tie up.

What did you find to be the hardest part of the competition?

Coordinating my spinning speed with another spinner to make sure the plyer had matching amounts of singles available when she needed them.

Did anything surprise you?

The biggest surprise was the relaxed atmosphere. I expected a frenzied hive of activity and it was the complete opposite.

Would you do it again?

Absolutely. We already have plans for next year's competition and plan on entering in the Dutchess County Fair as well.

Do you have any advice for aspiring Fleece to Shawl competitors?

Do it. It was a lot of fun. And it was amazing to see so many fair visitors find their way to the wool room to watch us and ask questions.

In addition to spinning, you knit, crochet, and sew. (Did I miss any?) Were you always into handcrafts?

I started dabbling in weaving and would love to find more time to really explore this art. I love designing knitwear.

I learned the basics in school as child in Europe. Knitting, crochet, sewing, and embroidery were as much a part of the curriculum as woodworking, soldering, and cooking.

Tell us about your sewing business. What items do you make and sell?

I design and make project bags of all sizes and shapes. I sell some of my handspun yarn and finished knitwear. New products are mill spun yarn from fleeces I bought at local NY farms, spinning fiber, locks, and stitch markers.

Where can people find your handmade items?

I sell my knitwear and handspun yarn at local craft fairs, bags can be found at The Endless Skein, and everything will be available online when my website goes live at the end of October.

Be sure to follow Birgit on Instagram @bkneedleworks!