Mainely Spinners 2026 International Back to Back Wool Challenge results

MILFORD — On Jan. 17 at the Milford Town Hall, the Mainely Spinners competed in the 30th International Back to Back Wool Challenge by finishing the sweater in 11 hours, 20 minutes, 48 seconds. The team now holds the 2026 International Back to Back Wool Challenge best time. 

This is the Mainely Spinners’ sixth year participating in the B2B Wool Challenge. Even though the competition paused during COVID, the team continued to raise money for cancer. Since 2019 the Mainely Spinners have donated $21,348 to The Dempsey Center of Lewiston, Cancer Care of Maine in Bangor, ME and Sarah’s House of Maine in Holden.

The online donation site for the 2026 Mainely Spinners is still open and available for donations at Sarah’s House of Maine.  For every $5 donation (up to $30) you will have six chances to win last year’s B2B competition sweater: A woman’s medium size beige sweater, produced in 2025. The drawing will be in June. Note: Be sure to include “B2B Wool” in the comments so the Mainely Spinner’s Team is credited with raising the funds via the B2B Challenge Brigadoon Award.

A big thank you to all who have helped in our fundraising efforts. Between the online auction, in-person sales and donations to date, we have raised over $2,000.

A shout out goes to the Shepherdess of Black Sheep Farm for donating the beautiful fleece from their Corriedale/Merino sheep, named Ken.   

Special thanks to the College of the Atlantic Spinning Club, led by Susan Letcher, who helped with teaching demonstrations, cheering on the team and keeping track of rows knitted. They also had an opportunity to demonstrate their spinning skills with some coaching from the support team. 

Team members who came a distance give a big shout out to Jayne of Milford Motel on the River for her great hospitality. Jayne even came to cheer the team on twice and presented them with a donation to Sarah’s House of Maine.

Once again, the event was live streamed on Facebook which allowed many people from across the country and the world to view, comment, like, and share. This year the posts had 15,626 viewers with over 1,800 interactions!

Follow the Mainely Spinners Facebook group for information on future fundraising, practice sessions and next year’s event. The team was inspired by all the connections on Facebook. Local television stations covered the event, including WABI TV and NewsCenter Maine.

The Team gives a big thank you to Stacey Wilson of Stacey’s Spinning Haven – Fiber Processing Mill in Milford for bringing the International Back to Back Wool Challenge to Maine and for providing essential support before and during the competition. Wilson’s back rubs and massages kept the team members spinning and knitting right up to the finish of the sweater.

International Back to Back Wool Challenge – Mainely Spinners Coordinator: Jan DeLaney 

Team: Jean Greenough, Debra Swan, Sally Delancey, Donna Coffin, Colleen Teerling,  Laura Kneib and Pinar Isfeld.

Shearer: Joanna Lee Fenn.

Time keepers, assessors, demonstrators and helpers: Barbara Clorite-Ventura, Stacey Wilson, Caitlin (Freshwaterpurlfiber) and Susan Letcher and College of the Atlantic students.

Sheep: Ken– Corriedale/Merino Sheep from Shepherdess of Black Sheep – Erin Percival Carter.