Competing teams make a shawl step by step: starting with washed fleece, to hand carding, to spinning, to weaving, to finishing ends… It’s a jam-packed demonstration of classic textile production! Registration starts September 8, 2026.
Competing teams make a shawl step by step: starting with washed fleece, to hand carding, to spinning, to weaving, to finishing ends… It’s a jam-packed demonstration of classic textile production! Registration starts September 8, 2026.
Award for Best use of Natural Dye
This award is dedicated to the loving memory of Don Nervik. Don was a volunteer during the Festival and at the Dutchess County Fair Wool Workroom. He passed away January 20, 2012.
Don was an avid spinner and weaver with a passion for using natural dyes for wool. Also a Master Gardener through the Cornell program, he was particularly fond of Indigo, which he grew in his garden. Participating in fleece to shawl competitions was something he especially liked to do with the team from the Elmendorph Guild. He will be missed by all who delighted from a hand processing or weaving demo given by Don and all who knew him.
The Dutchess County Sheep and Wool Growers Association is proud to sponsor this award to the team demonstrating the Best use of Natural Dye in the warp, weft or both, of their shawl.

Deadline to enter is October 2, 2026.