Benalla’s popular yarnbombing will return to the CBD during winter.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
The Benalla Yarnbombers are busy knitting, sewing and crocheting while the clock ticks down to their winter installation.
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To remind the community of warmer times, there is a spring theme this year.
With installation set for July 26, the volunteer group is meeting every second and fourth Tuesday of the month, from April 14, to make sure members are ready to brighten Benalla’s CBD.
President Chris Dunster said it was much more than just knitting, sewing and crocheting — it was also a great social group.
She said anyone could come along (to the Visitor Information Centre, Mair St) to help from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at those meetings — and all assistance was appreciated.
“We’re just getting it all ready,” she said.
“A lot of the stuff gets damaged when it’s on display for some reason, so that all has to be cleaned and repaired.
“So we’re refurbishing some, and we’re busy making new ones.”
Benalla’s yarnbombing brings colourful characters and fun to the CBD each winter.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
Ms Dunster said even those who did not knit were welcome to come along.
“There’s always stuff to sew, and we talk a lot,” she said.
She said there were also jobs for people unable to attend in person.
“We have a lot of knitters that are stuck at home, and we encourage them to participate as well,” she said.
“So we’ll go and pick up work from them, or show them what we want.
Benalla Yarnbombers president Chris Dunster in front of some of the bollards that will be covered in colourful characters this winter.
Photo by
Simon Ruppert
“I dropped a daffodil pattern off with a lady the other day, and she's knitted me a daffodil.”
The yarnbombers are also busy creating pieces for an Anzac Day display that will be installed this month.
“We put a call out for (knitted) poppies last year, so we’ve got a whole load of those to use,” Ms Dunster said.
There is also a yarnbombing display in the window of Jenny Milner - Marsha Watson pharmacy.
“That is the piece we did for Woolinale in 2023, which was the inaugural international yarnbombing festival held in Cologne, Germany,” she said.
As usual, all the fun characters will be facing the footpath, rather than the road, to ensure it is safe for the community to take photos.
“It’s the community feedback that drives us,” Ms Dunster said.
The Benalla Yarnbobmber have lots to show off, and you can find them at upcoming Benalla Lakeside Markets.
“There's always comments like ‘oh, is it going down already?’”
The group is also on the lookout for people to assist with the installation in July.
“We like tall people for that,” Ms Dunster said.
If you are in a position to help you can call her on 0459 084 046.
The group will also host a stall at upcoming Benalla Lakeside Markets, so keep an eye out for that.
The Benalla Yarnbombing is now in its ninth year, and Ms Dunster said the volunteers were very appreciative that the community continued to look forward to and support it every winter.
“It’s just a bit of fun, there’s no real purpose to yarnbombing apart from making people smile,” she said.
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