IF YOU'RE planning on heading to the Sunshine Coast next month, keep an eye out for woolly warriors armed with knitting needles.
Tactical textile teams will be weaving around under the cover of night in the hinterland down of Maleny on a yarnbombing mission: to brighten up the town with their wonderfully-coloured and crocheted creations.
The Maleny Yarnbombers have been meeting once a week to create their amazing decorations and bring guerilla knitting to the streets for the annual Knitfest Yarn and Fibre Arts Festival.
Every July the town hosts a weekend of colourful madness, showcasing the creative world of fibre arts and crafts, and much of the community gets involved. Taking place this year on July 6 and 7, the festival is in its fourth year.
"Knitfest features competitions for community groups and skilled artisans to decorate trees and post cosies in our beautiful streetscapes with art installations made of yarn and fibre," said organiser Juliana Wassink.
As well as spotting the knitted additions around town, there will be nearly 30 workshops, 100 trade and market stalls, a raw fleece expo, a stargazing night and cooking classes.
In addition to demonstrations by Maleny Arts and Crafts Group there will be jazz at Spicers Tamarind Retreat and displays and sales at the showgrounds. "It's a great family weekend," said Ms Wassink.
"There are some inspiring workshops to try this year. Maybe you'd like to learn macrame, extreme knitting, Fair Isle knitting, basket making, felting or dyeing with natural dyes," said Ms Wassink.
Workshops include making a macrame pot hanger, a felted wool glasses case, indigo and shibori cushions and even sock 'fuglies' from recycled socks. Book on the website in advance.
There will also be several competitions to enter, including best beanie, scarf, shawl and tea cosy. This years theme is 'Australiana' and there are free patterns at www.knitfest.com.au to get you started.
IF YOU GO
The hinterland town of Maleny lies in picture-postcard dairy country, interspersed with rainforests. Located high in the Blackall Range, about 30 kilometres from Caloundra, Maleny is renowned for many scenic spots.
You can enjoy amazing views of the Glass House Mountains at Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World.
Explore the shores and waterways around Baroon Pocket Dam tucked away between Montville and Maleny.
And also check out Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve - 55 acres of subtropical rainforest overlooking the Glass House Mountains.
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