The long nights and cold days are a good sign that one of Benalla’s favourite annual initiatives is just around the corner.
Benalla’s yarnbombers have been busy knitting, sewing and crocheting ever since their last display was taken down in 2023.
Group president Joy Shirley said the theme is gnomes, and due to a number of requests, the installation will stay up for six weeks this year.
“We have a new theme and many of the favourites from previous years will be going back up,” Ms Shirley said.
“The Minions, Blue and Bingo will be back. As will the princes, princesses and witches.”
Ms Shirley said while the group is always making new items to bomb Benalla’s CBD with, part of its annual to-do list is to revitalise some of the existing pieces.
“We’ve upgraded a lot of the beanies,” she said.
“A lot of them have got a bit old and faded, as many have been up every year since 2018.
“So we try and brighten them up. We also have quite a few wraps for the trees and pergolas.
“We’ve made new ones and brightened up ones we’ve been using for a number of years.”
As always, the main footprint of the yarnbombing will be Bridge St East, between Smythe St and the Benalla-Monash bridge.
”But we will have some going into the side streets,“ Ms Shirley said.
“We are bringing the first responder yarns back. They first went up last year, and were also up for the Benalla Street Art Festival.
“Those will be across the road from the Visitor Information Centre (In Mair St).
“The Uniting Church, in Carrier St, always does its own display.
“And there is already a display up in Benalla Library.”
Ms Shirley has also put a call-out for people to help install the yarn, which is scheduled to go up on Saturday, July 27, and help take it down on Saturday, September 7.
To help out, you do not need to have any knitting, sewing or crocheting experience.
If you are able to help, call Ms Shirley on 0417 065 351.