The 2025 Pennsylvania Make It With Wool Contest will take place on Saturday, Oct. 4, in the PA Preferred Banquet Hall at the Farm Show Complex, 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg.

Youths and adults who sew, knit, or crochet garments with wool or other animal fibers may participate. The categories will be preteens, for those ages 8 to 12; juniors, ages 13 to 16; seniors, ages 17 to 24; adults, age 25 and older; and made for others, for which the model and contestant may be any age. Ages are as of Jan. 1.

Expert judges will handle the garments and meet with the contestants. Judging will be based on the following criteria: appropriate to contestant's lifestyle; fit and overall appearance; coordination of fabric or yarn with garment style and design; contestant's presentation; construction quality; creativity in design and use of wool; and conveys or promotes the beauty, comfort, and versatility of wool. All fabrics or yarns used in the body of the garment must be 60% or more animal fiber. Interfacings, linings, and trims do not need to be wool.

The Pennsylvania Sheep and Wool Growers Association and other donors will provide the funding for prizes for the winners in each category. The winners in the junior and senior categories will be eligible to compete at the National Make It With Wool Contest in Reno, Nev., in January 2026.

The goals of the contest are to promote the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics and yarns; to encourage personal creativity in sewing, knitting, crocheting, spinning, and weaving with wool fabrics and yarns; to recognize creative skills; to help participants develop life skills, including being responsible for oneself, being a good sport, and accepting judges' decisions; and learning about and appreciating diversity.

There is a registration fee, plus a testing fee per fabric or yarn used. Participants must register no later than Tuesday, Sept. 2. All who register will receive a piece of wool yardage. To register, visit http://www.makeitwithwool.com.

Three national contests are also available for anyone to enter. These are mail-in contests; contestants will not compete in Harrisburg on Oct. 4. They are a sweater contest, a recycle/upcycle contest, and a producer-to-crafter contest.

For more information, contact Linda Siegel, state director, at 717-274-1197 or linda@lebaweb.com.