Winner's Circle 2021

MIWW Winners Announced

Sixty-eight contestants competed in the 2021 Make It With Wool (MIWW) National Competition this year. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, an in-person national contest was not possible; therefore, contestants mailed their entries to other judging locations. Winners were announced during a virtual Contestant Recognition and Awards Program on Saturday evening, February 6th. 

National contestants were divided into four categories: Junior, Senior, Adult, and Fashion/Apparel Design. Winners are as follows:

Junior Division (age 13-16) – 21 entries

Winner:  Cortney Olinger - SD

1st Runner-up: Karla Herrarte - NE

2nd Runner-up: Michaela Hahn - OH

3rd Runner-up: Henry Lemke - MN

4th Runner-up: Madison Graham - UT

Others in the Top 10:  Cassie Downare - WY, Amelia Alford - IN, Maggie Toeckes - MT, Alyssa Greek - CO, Olivia Morressey - PA

Senior Division (age 17-24) – 20 entries

Winner:  Roman Merck - KS

1st Runner-up: Bethany Smith - OH

2nd Runner-up: Kristen Clear - MI

3rd Runner-up: Ceceilia Voss - MN

4th Runner-up: Holley Schwartz - WI

Others in the Top 10: McKenzie Graham - UT, Alisha McMartin - SD, Rebecca Yates, TX, Olivia Brown - AZ, Katie Inouye - AR

Adult Division (age 25 and over) – 20 entries

Winner:  Marcie Mirgon - MI

1st Runner-up: Jenny Graham - UT

2nd Runner-up: Adrienne Larson - AZ

3rd Runner-up: Julia Shreiner

4th Runner-up: Freda Dixon - WY

Fashion Design Division – college students majoring in Fashion or Apparel Design – 7 entries

Winner: Hailey Gray - Baylor University

1st Runner-up: Victoria Nelon - Baylor University

2nd Runner-up: Estefania Espindola - Houston Commuity College

Special Awards were given to recognize contestants in the Junior and Senior Divisions. Winners in these categories are as follows:

Handwork Award

1st Place: Michaela Hahn - OH - Jr      Fabric, yarn, beadwork design on coat

2nd Place: Bethany Smith - OH - Sr     Smocking on blouse yoke

3rd Place: Kristen Clear - MI - Sr          Beadwork on dress neckline

Needlework Award (for knitted and crocheted garments)

1st Place: Holley Schwartz - WI - Sr     Knitted 3-piece ensemble

2nd Place: Sarah Poiani - NM - Sr        Knitted purple dress

3rd Place: Brianna Marenco - OK - Jr   Knitted black vest

Outstanding Use of Mohair Award

1st Place: Holley Schwartz - WI - Sr     Mohair Blue Sweater

2nd Place: Ceceilia Voss - MN - Sr       Mohair Plaid Coat

Creative Machine Embroidery Award

1st Place: Michaela Hahn - OH - Jr      Embroidered monogram on coat facing

2nd Place: Katie Inouye - AR - Sr         Embroidered daisies on dress sleeves

Exemplary Construction Award

Junior Winner:  Cortney Olinger - SD

Senior Winner:  Roman Merck - KS

The MIWW program is sponsored by the American Sheep Industry Association, ASI-Women, 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 Other. State competitions are held May through December. State winners in the Junior, Senior, and Adult Divisions are invited to advance to the national competition, typically held in January of the following year. 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. Entry Forms and additional information may be found on the MIWW website: makeitwithwool.com.