When Valerie Long set out to create her latest fair entry, she had a simple goal in mind: "go big or go home."

The result was a giant crocheted skeleton that earned Best in Show at the Hebron Harvest Fair in Hebron, Connecticut. Complete with illuminated eyes, a poseable frame, and larger-than-life presence, the project quickly became a favorite among fairgoers.

For Valerie, the award-winning piece represents both her love of crochet and her willingness to keep learning new skills.

A Lifetime of Learning

Valerie first learned to crochet from her grandmother while visiting Florida in the early 90's. Since then, she has made it a point to learn something new every year.

Her crochet interests include stuffed animals, sweaters, and skull-themed creations. Most recently, she's been exploring mosaic crochet and is already thinking about future skeleton-inspired mosaic projects. Tunisian crochet is next on her list of techniques to learn.

Finding a Home with CGOA

Valerie discovered CGOA through an online search and has been a member for many years. Over the years, she has earned the Fundamentals of Crochet certification, served on the CGOA Board for two years, and enjoyed the camaraderie of chapter activities and challenges.

One of her favorite aspects of CGOA is the community itself.

Building a Giant Skeleton

The giant skeleton began as Valerie's project for the fair season. Originally intended to stand six feet tall, the finished piece ended up even larger than planned.

The project required about eleven months of preparation and planning. During that time, Valerie created two skeletons for different fairs, spending roughly three months crocheting the pieces themselves.

The build required much more than yarn and stuffing. To create a realistic, poseable figure, Valerie incorporated a plastic spine between the vertebrae so the skeleton could bend into different positions. Doll joints in the elbows added additional movement and flexibility.

Material planning was also important. To ensure color consistency throughout the project, she purchased twelve jumbo skeins of white Red Heart yarn from the same dye lot, which was very difficult to find.

Valerie's husband played an important role as well, helping construct the display stand and assisting with assembly.

Patience, Persistence, and Vertebrae

When asked about the most challenging part of the project, Valerie doesn't hesitate....Patience.

Creating every individual vertebra required time and determination. Waiting for specialty components, including the doll joints, added to the challenge.

As with many large-scale projects, her workspace eventually became a sea of crochet pieces.

"There were moments of, 'Where's the leg?' and 'Where's the arm?'" she recalls. Seeing the fully built skeleton in her house even scared her at times.

Bringing the Skeleton to Life

Of all the pieces she crocheted, Valerie's favorite was the head.

Adding the teeth and inserting the eyeballs transformed the skeleton from a collection of parts into a character. Interestingly, even though the two skeletons were made from the same pattern, each developed its own personality. 

The illuminated eyes helped bring the project to life, making it an instant attention-grabber wherever it was displayed.

A Fair Favorite

The giant skeleton generated plenty of reactions from fair visitors. At one fair, attendees were invited to help choose a name for the skeleton. At another, visitors could tag the skeleton for a chance to win a prize.

Transporting and displaying the piece required assembly on-site, with Valerie's husband again lending a helping hand.

Today, the skeleton has become more than a competition piece. Valerie has given one to a haunted house consignment shop and use the other while teaching crochet, helping inspire students who are learning foundational skills such as single crochet and simple projects like coffee cozies.

Advice for New Fair Entrants

For crocheters interested in entering their local fairs, Valerie encourages keeping projects simple and paying attention to entry requirements.

Many fairs have strict size limitations, often around 24 inches by 24 inches by 24 inches. She also recommends creating something that catches the eye.

"Make it stand out," she says. An eye-catching color or distinctive design can make a project memorable.

Looking Ahead

Valerie already has ideas for future projects, including a dinosaur skeleton and a serpent with a moving tail powered by a pendulum motor.

For now, she's also enjoying encouraging the next generation. Her homeschooled son recently entered the fair himself, earning a second-place ribbon for a fish project and a first-place ribbon for a coffee cozy.

From learning crochet with her grandmother to creating award-winning sculptures, Valerie continues to embrace new challenges one stitch at a time. And if her giant skeleton is any indication, those challenges are only getting bigger.