Andrea Nisley, Nebraska Make It With Director

It is time to enter the Make It With Wool Contest.

Entry forms and fees, wool samples and wool testing fees are due Thursday, October 15, 2026 to Andrea Nisley, Nebraska Make It With Wool Director.

The entry form, state brochure and national wool contest guidelines are posted on the Nebraska Sheep and Goat Producers website: https://nebraskasheepandgoat.org/ under the Nebraska Make It With Wool tab.

The 2026 State Make It With Wool (MIWW) Contest will be Saturday, November 21 at Lexington Middle School, 1100 N Washington, NE beginning at 9:00 a.m. CT.  Everyone is invited to the public Fashion Show at 1:00 p.m. CT.

The object of the contest is to promote the beauty and versatility of wool fabrics and yarns; to encourage personal creations in sewing, knitting, crocheting, spinning, and weaving of wool fabrics and yarns; and to recognize creative skills.

            The divisions determined by age as of January 1, 2026, are as follows:  Preteen – age 12 and under, Junior – age 13 to 16, Senior – age 17 to 24, Adult – age 25 and over, and Made For Others.

The fabrics/yarns used for the wool contest must be 100% wool or wool blends containing a minimum 60% wool or specialty wool fiber for each fashion fabric, fiber or yarn used.  Specialty wool fibers include alpaca, angora, camel, cashmere, llama, mohair, and vicuna.

Earlier this year, Greta Rickertsen of Lexington and Dakota Vrbas of Stratton, were victorious in the 2026 National Make It Wool Contest in Reno, Nevada. Junior contestant, Greta Rickertsen was 2nd runner-up in the National Junior Division and Senior Division contestant, Dakota Vrbas, was in the top eight placement.

For more information, contact the Nebraska State Director: Andrea Nisley, 74662 Road 431, Elwood, NE 68937, (phone 308-325-6498), anisley1@unl.edu or the District Directors. District Directors include District I – Natalie Creech of Mitchell, 308-635-0156 and Rosalene Tollman of Marsland, 308-665-2415; District II – Stephanie Ringenberg of Lexington, 308-325-1429; and District III – Beth Andrews of Hampton, 402-725-3302.

The National Make It With Wool (MIWW) Contest has a MIWW Sweater Contest for those only wanting to knit or crochet a sweater; MIWW Upcycle-Recycle Contest for those who can think outside the box and find a new way to use wool sweaters, garments or accessories; MIWW Producer to Crafter Contest to recognize producers and their products through contestants original creativity; and Fashion/Apparel Design Competition for college students who are currently enrolled in a college-level fashion or apparel design program. These national contests entry information, criteria, how to enter and deadline information are given on the National Make It With Wool website: www.makeitwithwool.com.

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Andrea Nisley

Nebraska Make It With Wool Director

UNL Extension Educator Emeritus

Email: anisley1@unl.edu