Fibre festival spins up fun

THE wool is spinning and the yarn is being unwound, as crafters prepare for the return of the Artisans Textile Festival.

Running as a complementary event to the Australia Sheep and Wool Show, the ATF is back for a ninth year at the North Bendigo Bowls Club from 15 to 17 July.

Artisan Lisa Howard said this year’s festival features eight stallholders holding demonstrations and presenting their latest pieces.

“It’s exciting to be back,” she said. “We’ve got some new stallholders joining us this year so it’s great to have some different textile artists we haven’t had before.”

“There will be a lot of demonstrations happening, if people knitted or crocheted a long time ago and haven’t done it for a while… it’s a chance to pick up a craft again and fall in love with all over again.”

Ms Howard said the hall will be set up with chairs and tables in the middle, with home-made food available.

“We have women that are in some knitting groups and they come to the event and they also go up to the Sheep and Wool Show,” she said.

“They get together, they bring their projects, and they can sit for two or three hours.

“We encourage people to bring in whatever they’re working on and sit for a while, chat with other crafters, get inspired and see people they haven’t seen for a long time. It’s not just a walk around and go out the door, it’s more about coming in and spending a bit of time.”

The festival runs from 9am to 5pm on Friday, 15 June and Saturday, 16 June, and 9am to 2pm on Sunday, 17 June. Entry is $2 gold.