In which I complete my 2012 North Carolina State Fair project with 30 minutes to spare

Leslie Stahlhut

Last night, shortly before I settled in to work on my state fair project until it was done, I decided that I should double check the entry deadline which turned out to be a good thing because I had nowhere near as much time as I thought I had, and when all was said and done, I finished with just 30 minutes to spare.

For reasons unknown to me now, I had it in my head that the deadline to turn in entries was October 8, at 1:00 pm, and I had been annoyed that two hours had been lopped off last year’s deadline time, but my recheck showed that three hours had been lopped off the deadline time; I had to have my project turned in by noon.

With no time to waste, I fortified myself with coffee, grabbed my hook and got to work.

As a late night stretched into an early morning, I crocheted one stitch, then another, and still another.

The stitches accumulated, and by two in the morning I had finished the largest of the last three pieces needed to finish the project. I wove in ends and then started on the last two pieces.

By the time my son got up for breakfast, I had nearly finished one of the two remaining pieces and had a good start on the second.

After I got my son on the bus and took Clooney for an abbreviated walk, I resumed work on the state fair project. Then, around nine o’clock, finally confident that I would finish all of the border pieces in time, I began the task of joining them — first one side, and then another. By 10:30, all that was left was to weave in few ends, trim them, and take pictures.

The last item on the list proved to be more of a challenge than I had expected. It had rained yesterday, and I had squeegeed the deck earlier in the morning in the hope that it would dry.

Two hours later the deck was dry enough, but it was not wide enough.

The two green border pieces I had added to either side had made the project too wide to lay smoothly on the deck — what, I wondered, was a crocheter to do?

The light in my living room was not spectacular, but it was serviceable, so I pushed the furniture out of the way, swept up as much dog and cat hair as I could, then laid out the completed piece.

Here is a photo that highlights the color work:

detail of a textured crochet blanket
A detail of my 2012 North Carolina State Fair crochet project

here is one that highlights the texture:

A detail of the texture of a crochet blanket
A detail of the texture of my 2012 North Carolina State Fair crochet project

and here is a view of the entire piece in the best light I was able to find on this always overcast, sometimes rainy day:

Multicolor crochet blanket with texture crochet squares finished with 30 minutes to spare
An overview of my 2012 state fair crochet project finished with 30 minutes to spare

And now that the 2012 North Carolina State Fair project is behind me, I am ready to move forward to whatever crochet adventure awaits.

31 thoughts on “In which I complete my 2012 North Carolina State Fair project with 30 minutes to spare”

  4. It’s been such a joy seeing this project come to fruition. It’s beautiful. Can’t wait to see what future felted fat bag looks like as present felted fat bag! 🙂

  5. Oh WOW! That looks absolutely fantastic, and I am extremely impressed with your dedication to get it done by the deadline. A blanket to be proud of!

  7. Very, Very beautiful!! It turned out so First Place like! I know it’s a winner. I have to smile at the timeline. Those 30 minutes must have felt like an out of body experience. It would have for me. (heartpounding)

  8. Astonishing–you’ve taken crochet out of the craft realm and added it to the world of art.

    Simply beautiful.

  11. Astounding AGAIN! what wonderful projects you have created for the State fairs over the years. but I think this one is my favourite!! Amazing x

  13. I have really enjoyed watching the journey and development of this blanket – thank you for sharing.

  14. Fantastic Afghan Leslie. I am so glad you checked the time before it was too late. Can you imagine? No don’t, it may give you palpitations! So very well done Leslie, I have enjoyed your journey again this year. Heres to next year.

  17. I have followed your posts eagerly and I have to say the finished item is gorgeous! Well done on making such a beautiful project!!! Good luck in the fair – you really deserve to win!!!

  20. So ambitious! Hope the judges appreciate your remarkable creativity and dedication to such an intricate project. It’s really fantastic.

  22. Congratulations on meeting the crazy deadline but most especially for this amazing piece of work. Don’t know where to start with the compliments – the colors, the design, your dedication,…Probably the fact that you let us share in the process and the journey. I will likely never compete in an event of this calibre, but have been able to get a taste of the experience thru your generosity. Thanks so much! And cograts on

  24. fantastic! Superduper!Bravo!Gorgeous!Beautiful!I’ll never do something like this but sure enjoyed looking at it! Congrats & hope its a first place winner!

  26. This is a stunning piece! Congratulations! And thanks for sharing its development and progress with us.

  27. Absolutely amazing. I’ve been showing my Mom and some others your progress and the end result. Please keep us updated on the State Fair results!

Comments are closed.