The weeklong forum, attended primarily by women, boasted international and national tutors who shared their skills and techniques in a wide variety of workshops.

Workshops included everything from leather mask making to French beading, Batik painting, mixed media alchemy, and even Pojagi (Korean wrapping cloth), amongst many others.

Local resident, Jo Hagger was fortunate to be able to attend the Textile Forum, undertaking the sculptural knitting workshop.

Along with 16 other participants from every state in Australia, Jo spent the week expanding her knitting skills including 3 Dimensional knitting.

“The American tutor was very skilled and interesting; I was able to learn a lot,” Jo said.

“We also engaged in some guerrilla knitting in the grounds on Geelong Grammar where the forum was held, which was great fun.

“The forum has been timely as it has inspired me for the upcoming Riverside Arts and Crafts Festival,” commented Jo.

“I hope to have a few beanies for the Beanie Bonanza, which will use some of the techniques I learnt in Geelong.”

Riverside Art and Craft Festival

Our local festival on October 24 at the Bombala High School will have mini workshops in the morning and afternoon, which will allow locals to increase their skills and knowledge on arts and crafts.

The workshops will include beading, mosaics, felting, mini album making, cross-stitch, freeform knitting, crochet and card making.

Registrations need to be made as soon as possible this week, with information and enrolment forms to be obtained from the Platypus Country Information Centre.

The festival will also feature an interesting felting exhibition, as well as the Beanie Bonanza in which everyone is invited to enter their own beanie creations.

Naturally there will also be plenty of food available throughout the festival, with those who would like to find out more being encouraged

to ring the Visitors Information Centre on 6458 4622.