Fleece fair knits together fibre fans

AN upcoming event is set to showcase fibres for clothing and other textile use across the third weekend of July.

The Bendigo Artisans Annual Fibre Fair will be marking its decade anniversary and involves 10 central Victorian creators.

Fair co-organiser Lisa Howard said one of the artisans on show creates socks on an antique circular knitting machine and uses materials like sheep and alpaca wool, silk, cotton, and other natural fibres.

The creations are often the most popular items sold at the event and provide inspiration to other makers.

“People respond well to seeing a kit there that they can take away and make their own,” said Ms Howard.

“There are lots of fabulous spinners, weavers, and knitters around, and they’re often looking for a new project, so they can come along and see the finished garment that then they can buy the kit to go and then go away and make their own.”

The fibre fair is often a hands-on event, and Ms Howard said people are welcome to come along and work on their existing projects with the artisans, several of whom may also be creating works while at the fair.

“It’s a really cozy, low-key, friendly atmosphere,” she said.

When not helping put together the fair, Ms Howard designs and knits garments with commercially spun wool from her own flock of black Corriedale sheep.

She also puts together create-at-home packs for experienced craftspeople and beginners alike.

“My lane is knitting and providing kits and patterns for people who want a simple project that they can knit up fairly quickly and they’ll create an awesome wrap or scarf that they can actually have a go of and finish,” said Ms Howard.

“We’re all guilty of seeing something superb and getting halfway then saying oh what was I thinking?

“I’m very much about a project that’s achievable, that’s quick and easy and it creates a really stylish garment that they’ll be proud to wear.”

The Bendigo Artisans Annual Fibre Fair will be held at the North Bendigo Bowling Club on the 14, 15, and 16 July from 10am to 5pm Friday, 9am to 5pm Saturday, and 9am to 2pm Sunday.