Enter, Impress, Learn: How Knitting Is Judged and Why It Matters for Your Craft

Judging in knitting is about more than ribbons and rankings; it’s a chance to celebrate craft, encourage growth, and share standards that help every knitter improve. Competitions at a local fair, an online gallery, or a national design contest all bring attention to technique, creativity, and presentation, and they offer knitters feedback they can use to take their work to the next level. The TKGA Design Contest and local fair competitions both use structured criteria so judges can evaluate entries fairly and help makers understand what earns praise and where to focus next.

What judges actually look for

Judges assess knitted pieces on several interrelated elements: craftsmanship and finishing, gauge and fit for garments, needlework technique, yarn choice and suitability, design clarity, and the way the piece meets its stated purpose. Presentation matters and this includes blocking, seams, clean joins, and how photos or labels represent the work. Photos and labels are particularly important for internet or mail-in competitions. In short, judges are looking for evidence that the maker understood their techniques, made thoughtful choices, and executed them cleanly.

Judges look at the piece from multiple angles: the technical competence shown in stitches and construction; how well the yarn and design serve the garment’s purpose; and the quality of finishing and presentation. Good judging rewards clarity and execution as much as creativity, because excellence in technique makes the design sing.

How the judging process usually works

Most competitions use a critique sheet or rubric so judges score entries against a shared set of expectations. In live competitions judges may inspect garments in person, asking questions about the pattern, yarn, and techniques used. For internet or correspondence judging, photographers’ choices, written descriptions, and clear measurements become part of the evaluation. Many judges balance objective criteria with thoughtful, constructive commentary so entrants receive useful feedback alongside any awards.

How to become a certified knitting judge with TKGA

TKGA’s Certification for Knitting Judges is a certification course designed to prepare knitters to serve on judging panels and to understand how competitions are run. Students receive core resource documents including The Blue Ribbon Manual of Competitive Needlearts Events, answer knowledge questions, develop critique sheets, participate in a mock internet contest, and complete practical exercises such as planning events and critiquing real knitted items. Graduates are listed on TKGA’s resource listings and are eligible to work as paid judges.

The course asks students to demonstrate applied skills: you’ll propose plans for two knitting events, critique actual knitted items, and judge a mock design contest. Students also prepare a resume they can use when applying to judge. These exercises give judges the confidence and competence to evaluate work fairly and thoughtfully.

The Judges Certification was TKGA’s original course and helped launch other certifications. We launched the Design Contest in 2017 to celebrate members’ creativity and to challenge designers to grow. Early judging panels included TKGA designers and Master Knitters, and our goal has always been to include TKGA Certified Judges who apply clear criteria while balancing personal taste. They fairly and thoughtfully evaluate each entry.

Opportunities to judge and to enter competitions

Judging roles exist in many settings: state and county fairs, guild shows, shop-sponsored contests, and online design contests. TKGA lists certified knitting judges and provides resources for organizers and entrants; if you need a judge for an event, that list is a good place to start. For makers who want to enter, the TKGA Design Contest is an annual showcase that highlights innovative designs and excellent execution; keep an eye on the contest page for guidelines and timelines.

Practical tips for entrants who want to shine

• Choose yarn and construction that suit the design and state that intent in your entry materials.
• Take crisp, well-lit photos that show fit and detail or provide careful measurements and clear construction notes for mail-in or virtual judging.
• Finish seams, weave in ends neatly, and block garments to shape—presentation is part of the score.
• Read the category rules and rubric before you start so your entry matches the judges’ expectations.

Why judging matters

Judging raises the profile of knitting as a craft, supports educational goals, and encourages makers to strive for excellence. It brings community together, generates learning opportunities, and in celebrating well-made work, helps knitters see what’s possible when technique and creativity meet.