Each of the extraordinary hand-crocheted afghans displayed here in magnificent photos is a blue-ribbon winner. They've all taken the top prize at one of America's state fairs-the prime public venue for showing off the best of our nation's traditional crafts. The styles, colors, and patterns are as varied as the folks who fashioned them, ranging from an afghan with an elegant white-on-white country design to one that has a wildly kaleidoscopic motif. Crocheters can recreate these wonderful items at home, thanks to patterns, detail shots, and instructions, and experience the charm that makes the state fair such a special part of American culture. Scattered throughout the text are fun facts about the fairs, along with new and vintage photos.