2025/2026 Press release
MIWW Winners Announced
MIWW Winners Announced 2026
There were thirty-five Junior and Senior Division contestants competed in the 2026
Make It With Wool (MIWW) National Competition, held January 27th-31st in
Reno, Nevada at the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa. Winners were announced at the
Awards Program following the Saturday evening banquet and fashion show.
Winners included:
Junior Division (age 13-16) – 20 entries
Winner: Makenzie Wright- TX
1st Runner-up: Valerie Knight - OH
2nd Runner-up: Greta Rickertsen - NE
3rd Runner-up: Kali Bucklen - PA
4th Runner-up: Claire Ford - IN
Other contestants in the Top 10: Emilia DeLorenzo – NY, Hailee Luis– CA, Iris Schrotberger– KS, Jojo Osborn – ID, Makenzie Potton - CO
Senior Division (age 17-24) – 15 entries
Winner: Marjorie Morley - UT
1st Runner-up: Isaac Sanders - IN
2nd Runner-up: Sydney Hamilton - OH
3rd Runner-up: Ashlynn Johnson - WY
4th Runner-up: Marissa Sanchez - CA
Other contestants in the Top 8: Natalie Saint-Rossy – NY, Dakota Vrbas- NE,
Morgan Stults– CO
The judging for the Adult Division and the Fashion/Apparel Design Division was held
the later part of 2025. The Adult Division winner, Diane Spain (OR/At-Large) and
the Fashion/Apparel Design winner, Torrin Longenecker, Baylor Univeristy (TX) were in attendance in Reno.
There were 18 entries in the National Adult Division (age 25 and over).
Runner-up winners included:
1st Runner-up: Anita Hardwick - IN
2nd Runner-up: Jamie Wilkinson - WY
3rd Runner-up: Martha Phelps - WA
4th Runner-up: Kimberly Chaffin - OH
5th Runner-up: Mindy Bickel - PA
There were 27 entries in the National Fashion/Apparel Design Division (college
students majoring in Fashion or Apparel Design). Runner-up winners included:
1st Runner-up: Frank Rodiriquez –Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, CO
2nd Runner-up: Elizabeth Cauley –Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, CO
3rd Runner-up: Anna Beth Mauldin – Auburn University, AL
4th Runner-up: Jasmine Gariet - Houston Community College, TX
This year was the second year Make it With Wool held a sweater contest. We were able
to receive funding specifically for this event from RE Synergy and Backyard Green Films. This contest is a mail-in contest only.
The Winner of this first annual contest was Christine Knobel from California.
Runners up for the contest included:
1st Runner-up: Lian McCain – ID
2nd Runner-up: Michelle Mercer – OH
This was the first year for the Producer to Crafter Contest sponsored by RE Synergy and Backyard Green Films. This contest has the intent of connecting the producer and the crafter to make a fiber filled finished product. We had 7 entries this first year. The winner of the contest was Laurel Stone from Oregon with a sweater she made from her own flock of sheep, making her the producer and the crafter.
1st Runner-up: Kristen Mischker - CO Sweater
2nd Runner-up: Kate Lyman - UT Horse Saddle Pad
This was also the first year for the Upcycle/Recycle Contest also sponsored by RE Synergy and Backyard Green Films. This contest is to help remind us all to be sustainable by reusing the amazing fibers we already have in new ways. The winner of this contest was Patty Schmidt from Illinois with her coat.
1st Runner-up: Meegan Veeder-Shave - NY Coat
2nd Runner-up: Meegan Veeder-Shave - NY Shoulder Wrap
3rd Runner-up: Lea Ann Dolezal - TX Jacket/Kilt
Special Awards were given at the national contest to recognize contestants in the Junior and Senior
Divisions. Winners in these categories are as follows:
Handwork Award
1st Place: Ashlynn Johnson - WY - Sr Beading on back of coat
2nd Place: Makenzie Wright - TX - Jr Leather Tooling on jacket lapel
3rd Place: Emilia DeLorenzo - NY- Jr Beading & Embroidery on dress/jacket
Needlework Award (for knitted and crocheted garments)
1st Place: Emilia DeLorenzo - NY - Jr Knitted dress
2nd Place: Kevina Clear - MI- Sr Knitted top
Outstanding Use of Mohair Award
1st Place: Kali Bucklen – PA – Jr Mohair Coat
2nd Place: Jenna Schmidt -OK- Jr Mohair Coat
Creative Machine Embroidery Award
1st Place: Valerie Knight – OH - Jr Embroidered design on jacket
2nd Place: Kali Bucklen– PA - Jr Embroidered design on dress
3rd Place: Jenna Schmidt – OK- Jr Embroidered design in back of coat
Exemplary Construction Award
Junior Winner: Valerie Knight - OH
Senior Winner: Marjorie Morley- UT
Peoples Choice Award
Jenna Schmidt – OK - Jr
Social Media Award Winner
Junior Winner: Makenzie Wright - TX
Senior Winner: Isaac Sanders - IN
The MIWW program is sponsored by the American Sheep Industry Association, and
The American Wool Council to promote the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics and
yarns.
Contestants in the MIWW competition sew, knit, or crochet their garments, which
must be made from at least 60% wool fabric or yarn. Contestants are divided into
Age Divisions or Categories, including Adult (age 25 and over), Senior (age 17-25),
Junior (age 13-16), Preteen (age 12 and under), Wearable Accessory, and Made for
Others. State competitions are held July through December. State winners in the
Junior and Senior Divisions are invited to advance to the national competition,
typically held in January of the following year. Judging for the Adult state winners is
typically held in December. National MIWW also sponsors a Design Division for
college-age students majoring in Fashion or Apparel Design. Judging for the Design
Division is typically done in November with the contest moving to the spring in 2026.
Two new contests were held this year including the Producer to Crafter Contest and
the Upcycle/Recycle Contest. The sweater contest was held again this year in
December. Entry Forms and additional information may be found on the
MIWW website: makeitwithwool.com, national Facebook page: National Make it With
Wool and Instagram page: National Make it With Wool. The 2027 national contest
will be held in Charleston, SC from January 14th -17th at the Charleston Marriot.