Welcome to the TKGA Contest Page!

We are pleased to have you! You must be a guild member to enter the contest. If you are not a member, membership is open to all knitters and easy to get. Membership can be obtained here. The price is $25. With your guild membership you will not only be able to enter the design contest, you will also have access to all the benefits TKGA has to offer. At TKGA we are dedicated to knitting education. We offer:

Correspondence and Mini Courses

TKGA Correspondence and Mini Correspondence Courses allow you to build your knitting skills. We offer courses for all skill levels. You’ll study at your own pace with the finest knitting teachers. Unlike other online courses, you get direct feedback from the instructor.

Certification Programs

We offer two types of certification, Masters and Specialized. The Master Hand Knitting Certification Program is our most popular program with over 1000 knitters participating. In addition, we certify Knitting Judges, Technical Editors and Knitting Instructors. Soon we will be adding Professional Knitter Certification for those members who want to test knit and finish items.

Guild Support

TKGA provides guilds with simple tools to help get guilds off the ground and successful. TKGA affiliated guilds have access to the many benefits of TKGA membership. In addition to the technical content, patterns, and articles, there is a special section on our website for guild resources with articles and class material you can use with your guild or group.

Publications

Our publications allow our members to share their knowledge and news about knitters and knitting. Our educational journal, Cast On, is published quarterly. It is the only journal dedicated to knitting education. Articles and patterns encompass all skill levels and patterns include technical tips and designer notes to guide you, making your project a joy to knit. Membership allows you to not only access the current issue, but also articles from past issues. K2TOG, our monthly newsletter, keeps members up to date on all things TKGA. It too is packed with fun facts, occasional patterns, product and book reviews, plus much, much, more.

TKGA 2019 Design Contest Official Guidelines

The entry should be an item made with two or more colors (as identified from the yarn label) from different yarn of two or more yarn sources. While the yarn can be the same brand and type, each color must originate from it’s own ball, hank, skein, etc. Each version of variegated, multicolor, self-striping, and similar type yarn will be considered one of the two or more colors used. Yarns used must be currently available commercial yarns. Yarns can be of any color or fiber and can also contain embellishments within the strand, such as (but not limited to) felted ornaments, beads or other non-yarn trim.

All entries must be hand knit. Accessories and embellishments may be fabricated from materials other than yarn, such as (but not limited to) beads or buttons; or handcrafted by a method other than knitting, such as (but not limited to) crochet, needlepoint, or embroidery. These non-knitted additions can be only embellishments, with the main item being hand knit with yarn.

All submitted designs must be the original work of the entrant. An original design is one that is not directly modeled on an existing pattern and differs substantially in gauge (or yarn weight), stitch pattern, and design styling from other available designs.

Only current members of TKGA are eligible to enter and receive prizes. You must be a member upon entry and upon conclusion of the contest. BECOME A MEMBER HERE.

Knitters of all levels are encouraged to submit their original design. The contest is open to both amateur and professional designers.

Published designs are not eligible for entry. This includes self-published designs.

There is a limit of three entries per designer.

All entries must be received by October 15, 2019. The winner will be announced on November 1, 2019.*

Entries will be made by submitting photographs of the item.** Each entry must include at least three, but no more than seven, photographs. One of the photographs should show the item in its entirety. If there are any important construction details, such as ties, closures, or seams, include a photograph of these areas. Close-up photos of intricate stitch patterns or stitch work is encouraged, as is a photo of the item on a model or mannequin. Keep in mind the judges must be able to see your work to evaluate and assess it. We will accept only jpeg files, and the files should not be any larger than 500KB (72dpi and 500 pixels). In addition, please name each photo file using the following naming convention: nameofdesign.photo#.jpg Example: ColorColorItem.photo#2.jpg

Entries will be judged anonymously by a jury of TKGA Certified Judges and/or TKGA Certified Master Knitters with extensive design experience. All decisions by the jury will be final and binding. The judging panel will be announced June 1, 2019.

Entries will be judged on the following criteria:

Design and Artistic Appeal

Originality and Creativity

Color Balance and/or Harmony

Quality and Workmanship

 

* In the event that there is an unexpectedly large number of entries, TKGA reserves the right to extend the judging period. Should this occur, an announcement will be made on Ravelry and in K2TOG.

** While the contestant retains copyright of all photographs, TKGA retains the right to use all photographs submitted for advertising and guild purposes in both print and online.

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Members can get a copy of these guidelines along with an entry form in our Members Section under 2019 Design Contest.
For more information or questions email lgonzalez@tkga.org