Judging at a show

is not a simple task. I do a little of it - and a little is enough. The little section I judge for our state Show is a rather special one and those who enter it are often less competitive and more caring. The number of entries can vary greatly from one year to the next.

The much larger sections I am involved in, knitting and crochet, are much more complex. The judging takes time and skill. It is not a simple task. 

The quality of the work entered can vary widely. It has to be judged according to criteria which can seem arcane to those who are not involved.

I have just been involved in trying to get this message across to someone who commented on a Facebook page. She could not understand why an apparently much more complex pair of socks did not win the first prize.  The pair of socks which won first prize were plain, very plain. They are simply stocking stitch but they are exceptionally well knitted.

In judging socks many people fail at one or more of many points. The first is the grafting at the toe. There are not many people who can graft well enough to satisfy a judge. I am certain I will never manage it no matter how many pairs I knit. 

The second is the sock top. Many people fail to make this elastic enough to satisfy the judge. We have had many beautiful pairs over the years that fail at this point. 

The third is the heel. Is it going to sit well on someone's foot? This is not merely about length but the way the heel fits in relation to the rest of the foot and the ankle. I remember a lovely looking pair of socks which were discarded because the judge said, "Those heels would be so uncomfortable to wear." The judge was right.

The fourth is the sole. Is it comfortable to walk on? Judges will discard patterned soles as uncomfortable to walk on but people will still make them in the belief that a fancy sole will give them extra points.

The fifth is the fabric. Yes, you can knit socks with fancy lace, cables, fair isle and just about anything else but how practical is this? Socks are a lot of work. Why waste time on something that is not practical? Judges want to see something that can be worn. They will query the lack of flexibility in cables and fair isle.

The sixth is the yarn which is used. It needs to be suitable for socks. Of course you can make socks out of fluffy angora if you want to but they won't win prizes in a show because they are not practical.

Those six things come in no particular order and they are not the only things considered but they are considered. Judging is not an easy task and to suggest that simply because something is fancy it is worth more is wrong.