A few days ago, all of us at KDD were very excited to hear that Jennifer Moats (WonderfullyWovn on Ravelry and Instagram) had won Best in Show at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival skein and garment competition for her beautifully-knitted version of Kate’s Shieling blanket from the West Highland Way collection. We caught up with Jennifer to hear more about the project, and her historic win.
“I live in Columbia, Maryland. I am originally from Florida. Florida is a rather warm place, so not that many people knit wool there, at least as far as I ever knew. Moving to Maryland about 10 years ago, I went for the first time to the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival as a non-fiber person, having no knitting and very little crafting experience. My first reaction was disbelief that so many people would gather to celebrate sheep, knitting and all varieties of fiber art. But, with that introduction, I was inspired to learn more. I have a long commute on the bus into DC each day for work and I was looking for a way to productively occupy that time. So, I decided to take a knitting class at my local yarn shop. I went from knitting and then purling to devouring all things Elizabeth Zimmerman and educational knitting blogs and publications, like Kate’s, and then learning how to spin and weave and even competing on a couple of sheep to shawl teams. I fell all the way down the fiber rabbit hole. I just love the creativity and color that knitting and the fiber arts provide. I also love the pursuit of understanding textiles, design structure, fiber characteristics and how to be creative in general.”
“I was immediately drawn to “The Shieling” blanket as soon as it was introduced in the West Highland Way series. The pattern and color work is so mesmerizing! And, I mean, a blanket that inspires someone to carry a couch to the edge of a lake in the middle of winter to get a photograph to do it justice. I mean, right?! That’s a must knit. I couldn’t get the project out of my head. I knew it was going to be a challenge, but it was one that I desperately wanted to take on. As I considered the project, although a larger project as a whole, it was perfect for “on the bus” knitting because each square is knit individually and I could knit up each square and then set it aside while I worked on the next square without having to commute with an ever increasingly large blanket in tow. As my friends, acquaintances and even passers-by would watch me knit each square they would invariably ask what I was making and I would say, “A blanket” to which they would say something funny like “That’s an awfully small blanket.” “Haha, yes! This isn’t all of it,” I would reply with a wink.
“As I knit the first couple of squares, I got used to the process and developed a rhythm that made each block go faster and faster. As I was nearing the end, I knew that, if I was going to complete a project of this magnitude with such a stunning design, it deserved to be entered in the Skein and Garment Competition at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival. I was a little behind schedule to accomplish that, but I thought, if I worked diligently, I just might be able to pull it off. As I blocked each square, the Milarrochy Tweed came to life and exuded a new softness…
“I thought I might win something, but, honestly, when I learned that I had won Best in Show, it was a lot to take in! I was so grateful. Now, that I think about it, talk about coming full circle. Winning Best in Show at the wool festival that introduced me to the fiber arts. I want to take this moment in. And after this moment, I have this beautiful blanket that is so cozy warm that it will be a favorite decorating my home for years to come. Not a bad way to spend my time in traffic.”
Huge congratulations on your very well-deserved win, Jennifer, from all of us at KDD!
wow amazing
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That was an amazing work.
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Lovely story. Great job. Thanks for sharing. Brought back memories of knitting my youngest daughter’s layette on the bus to work…long ago. She now has 3 children and is a fantastic knitter– that is when she can find the time between her job as a nurse, and caring for home and family.
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That was an amazing work.
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Ah! Congratulations to you, Jennifer and yes, it’s such an inspiring pattern and it IS the best way to spend time in traffic.
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What a great story of an introduction to fiber arts! Congratulations on your win!
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I am so happy for you! How wonderful and exciting. I love the way you put your commute to “good use.” The blanker you made is a work of art.
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Breath taking just like the original.
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What a lovely example of great teamwork! Absolutely beautiful work. Congratulations!
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Congratulations! The blanket is absolutely gorgeous and I love the circle of knitting life story.
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One of the things I love about being a knitter is the constant inspiration I get from other knitters! This blanket is stunning. Thank you for sharing it with us.
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Congratulations, Jennifer! Your blanket is stunning. I remember falling in love when Kate released the pattern. Your win is well-deserved!
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Oh, your blanket and knitting are stunning! So happy for your Best of Show prize. You deserve it. I also caught the small bit of a pull over hoodie that you are standing by….that looks gorgeous too. Knitting is such pleasure and a huge reward for all.
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Congratulations Jennifer – it’s stunning and the perfect retort to anyone who says they don’t have time to knit. It’s amazing how much you can get done on a commute. Or 15 minutes on a tea break at work, waiting at the dentist etc. It can all add up to the most amazing project! I am so thrilled for you.
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I was at MSWF and I saw the blanket and immediately recognized the pattern. She did a fantastic job, and it was even prettier in person. To win BIS says a lot–there are many finely knit items at this huge show. Congratulations and well done! That is quite an accomplishment.
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What a fantastic pattern from Kate, knit beautifully by Jennifer, resulting in an exciting prize and a fabulous story. Congratulations to all, and thanks so much for sharing. 💛
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Brilliant, Jennifer! A spectacular work of art and diligence, I think I can, I think I can and so you did. Congratulations.
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Go girl how inspiring. Kate this story should surely fill you with pride and joy.
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Wow, what a beautiful blanket and a wonderful story, truly deserving of this prize.
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Congratulations – this is stunning & I am sure looks even more beautiful in real life. I wonder what you will knit next?
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All these coments are sooo nice, and so much deserved, too. But didnt anyone mention ENVY?? Congrats!!
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Jennifer, you’ve created an heirloom.
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What a great story! Congratulations to Jennifer, well deserved!
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Wow that is awesome-Love the story as well, thanks so much for sharing it!!!!
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Wow. Gorgeous. Congratulations to Jennifer! And Kate for the design! and KDD for the yarns! Fabulous
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Fabulous blanket and what a great story! Brill ;-)
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Congratulations on winning this is stunning what project will you be making on the bus to work next or will you have a rest for a while .
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Wow, that’s gorgeous! Congratulations to Jennifer on her Best in Show win. It’s well deserved, I’d say.
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I never thought I’d want to knit a blanket but now I do. You are totally amazing. Your choice of colors is exquisite. I can knit fair isle but I would need to be more organized. It goes so slow for me.
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What a glorious blanket Jennifer and KDD! Congratulations! I love Milarrochy Tweed!
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Wow, that is stunning. Well done Jennifer, well done.
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Congratulations! Your blanket is exquisite and an heirloom. Give yourself many warm fuzzies from all of your admirers here. Your love of knitting and skills are prize worthy. 💯 🏆💯
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Gorgeous! This is on my bucket list and you may have just inspired me to pursue my dream.
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Beautiful work, lovely story, and a huge thank you to KDD for providing such inspiration to us mortals.
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Fellow commuting knitter here, it’s so FABULOUS to turn that lost time into something productive and beautiful! Absolutely gorgeous blanket.
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Absolutely gorgeous! Huge congratulations on a very big honor..
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Gorgeous! And your story is so inspiring!
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What a spectacular accomplishment – and to see what someone can do with 10 years of experience is inspirational. Well done! (Also beautiful pattern.)
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Beautiful
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Congratulations! Beautiful work, Jennifer!
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Brilliant! The blanket is beautiful!
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What a fantastic piece of work ,very well done 👍
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Well done Jennifer, beautiful work and a well deserved prize.
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Congratulations! A beautiful, beautiful piece of work deserving of the Best in Show
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Excellent work Jennifer and well done on your amazing win which was very well deserved!
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Oh well done! So beautiful. I am also knitting this blanket and it is lovely to do
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An inspiring story! Brilliant! Well done.
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Brilliant is the word! Absolutely beautiful blanket Jennifer.
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An inspiring story of growth of skills, creativity and persistence. Thanks for sharing!
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Wow…so inspiring. I think I may have found my next project! Congratulations Jennifer.
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A beautiful blanket. Great honor to win best in show for her work and the fine wool from KDD.
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A real inspiration for us novices! And a beautiful blanket indeed
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What a story! Such a stunning blanket. Crafted beautifully
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