• Afghan entries will be divided into five categories: CROCHET, KNIT, BABY KNIT OR CROCHET, JUVENILE KNIT OR CROCHET, and HOLIDAY KNIT OR CROCHET.
• All afghans entered must be original designs. Taking patterns or designs from any other source will disqualify your entry. You may get inspiration from any source, but plagiarizing another person's work will result in your entry being disqualified and ineligible for any cash prize. For example, merely changing the color or a few rows of stitches in another person's design is not acceptable—your work must be significantly different from any published work.
• All afghans entered will be judged equally on their design appeal, use of stitches, color, and selection of materials. We will also look at the quality of workmanship, finishing, appearance, and cleanliness. Soiled afghans will be returned to the entrant—they will not be judged.
• One First Place winning entry will be chosen from each category. The Grand Champion will be selected from these five afghan categories. The winner in each category will receive a $500 prize. The Grand Champion will receive an additional $2,500 prize. All winners will also receive free transportation to and lodging at our award ceremony. All winning afghans and instructions for same will become the sole property of Herrschners, Inc., with Herrschners, Inc. holding all copyrights and distribution rights to these patterns. Winners may be showcased in the Herrschners catalog and in our Award Winning Afghan booklets.
• Non-winning afghans may be awarded Honorable Mention Status and qualify for a Prize Award. The instructions for these afghans will become the sole property of Herrschners, Inc., with Herrschners, Inc. holding all copyrights and distribution rights to these patterns. Honorable Mention afghans will be returned to their owners after we have completed pattern editing and photography. They may also be showcased in the Herrschners catalog and in our Award Winning Afghan booklets.
• When designing your afghan, please keep close track of the materials you use, including yarn type(s) and amount(s), needles, hook, bobbins, and any other needed accessories. We have provided space on your entry form for recording your material requirements. We suggest you write your pattern as you go—this will help you avoid omitting any portion of the pattern.
• In the event your afghan places as Grand Champion, First Place in a category, or Honorable Mention in a category in the Herrschners National Afghan Contest, you will need to provide clear, complete, step-by-step instructions. Please use the Pattern/Materials Guide as a guide to keep track of the pattern and materials used as you work on your afghan.

• Avoid mixed dye lots in your afghan.
• Take all steps necessary to keep your afghan clean and free of lint or hair.
• Make sure your afghan has nicely squared edges and evenly worked borders – this shows off your stitching and designing abilities.
• Use a hook or needle size that creates an afghan with body and a nice drape. A gauge that is too loose makes an afghan limp; gauge that is too tight makes an afghan stiff. Make a gauge swatch to test how the finished afghan will feel, and choose a hook or needle size accordingly.
• Chose colors that reflect today’s decorating styles, colors that coordinate pleasingly or add to your design.
• Choose a size appropriate to your category. The size must be useable for the purpose intended. If you are making a large counterpane style afghan, bedspread size is appropriate. On the other end of the spectrum, if you are making a baby afghan, a size that comfortably covers an infant or toddler is appropriate. We look for afghans that people will love making AND using.
• Using a sponsor’s yarn is NOT required, but we love their yarns for a reason. You’ll find a wide array of types and weights of yarns in their lines, perfect for your creative ideas. Please, only use yarn available through Herrschners, Inc., and do not choose colors that are no longer available.
• Copyrighted materials such as Disney® or the NFL® are not acceptable. All afghans entered must be original designs. Taking patterns or designs from any other source will disqualify your entry. You may get inspiration from any source, but plagiarizing another person’s work will result in your entry being disqualified. Merely changing the color or a few rows of stitches in another person’s design is not acceptable – your work must be SIGNIFICANTLY different from any published work.

Downloads

Entry Form
Contest Rules and Information
Tips for a Winning Afghan
Afghan Pattern and Materials Guide