Unpredictable spring weather brought everyone indoors the Old Carriage House and Wash House (with their distinctive sloping floors!) where the warmth of woodfire and woolcraft brought out the chat and commune.

Jason’s short video reel on Facebook gives you a snapshot of the day. (Click on the image to view.)

Below are a few of the recommended projects and bits of information that sprang up from the Crafty Sundays gatherees on October 6, 2024.

We welcomed Greg Potter from Fairveiw Polwarths – a family growing superb Polwarth sheep and wool 15mins away from Tarndie in high rainfall (30inches/760mm annually). Tarndie is the beneficiary of the Potter Family’s commitment to a classic Polwarth style through both their stud rams and by adding some of their wool clip to producing Tarndwarncoort yarn.

Greg has taken up the challenge to give people a chance to discover sheep and wool at the Colac Show on Saturday 2 November 2024. Even though we see wool and sheep everyday and assume everyone has the same deep connection to it, we also know there are a lot of people in the world that haven’t had any exposure to sheep, wool or the magic of making with wool.

Greg, assisted by Ruth Watson, invited anyone interested in displaying and possibly introducing show-goers to their woolcraft skills to come to the Sheep Pavilion at the Colac Showgrounds. For any further details, please contact Greg on info@fairviewpolwarths.com.au

Ruth also mentioned that the Colac Show woolcraft entries are now open – close 25 Oct. Limited to two entries per class. Entries and schedule here: https://www.colacshow.com.au/colac-show/participate-in-the-show/handcrafts-photography

Ruth Watson and Greg Potter invite woolcrafters to the Colac Show on Sat 2 Nov.

Great to see some Sanna & Co knits out in the wild. Susanna from Sanna & Co lives in regional Victoria but draws on her Finnish/Saami roots and architect background in her pattern designs. See more here: https://linktr.ee/sanna_and_co

Michelle’s Alma cardigan was a treat – lots of praise for the steeking bravery. The rib was also very effective. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alma-cardigan-4
Chris did the Rollo beanie in mumma and toddler matching set. https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rollo-beanie

We felt very honoured to be on the destination list of visiting Dutch designer Christien Meindertsma a few days before Crafty Sunday. She has developed a 3D printer that uses waste wool roving in a needle felt tool.
NGV and the makeup brand Mecca commissioned Christein for a piece on display at NGV International in Melbourne now for 6 months.
I bet the gallery security guards are going to be busy stopping everyone patting the giant woolly lamb! https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/exhibition/mecca-x-ngv-women-in-design-commission-christien-meindertsma/

Jenny King Crochet pattern sample.

Faye tried out the 1,2,3 cowl pattern designed for colourful skeins such as our variegated, random dye that sometimes doesn’t suit crochet patterns. It’s fillet crochet on 3.5mm hook – Faye adapted the pattern to use 100gm of tarndie 4ply over 455 stitches instead the 360 as written.
https://www.jennykingdesigns.com/product/one-two-three-cowl-2/

Recommendations from the gathered:

Podcast - The Long Thread by publishers of Spin-Off, Handwoven and other US based magazines.

A wonderous souvenir on display from Jo’s recent dive trip to New Britain in PNG. A bilum bag, which is everyday item, but this one is tricked up with cuscus possum fibre spun into the woven fabric which is adorned with chook and cassowary feathers.

Here’s a little bit more about the cultural background to these treasures of our near neighbours. https://artsandculture.google.com/story/bilum-the-backbone-of-papua-new-guinea-asia-foundation/lwURcewuoZqCIg?hl=en