Workshop detail
Join Shelley as she shares how to confidently read patterns and charts using new patterns from her new Tea and Granny Squares book.
Skill Level: Beyond beginners; can confidently crochet a simple granny square and know the most common stitches and techniques.
About Shelley (Shelley Husband Crochets):
Shelley Husband is a designer, author, and serious supporter of making crocheting easy and enjoyable. While Shelley learned crocheting as a child, it took her almost 40 years to crochet her next granny square - and she hasn't stopped since. Soon after that square, Shelley realised she had a new design in mind, and then another, and... well,let’s just say, there's no slowing the new designs that continue to have her granny square community buzzing.
From her first book, Granny Square Flair, winning UK's Best Crochet Book in 2019, to a total tally of 12 books, Shelley loves getting people hooked on granny squares! With an app, online group,and regular workshops across the country, old and new crocheters fall in love with the way Shelley designs patterns to be practical to grow their crochet confidence, one square at a time.
Time to have some fun with stranded colourwork knitting! In this workshop, you'll learn tips and techniques to build your Fair Isle confidence. We'll start on a project together, which you can try flat or in the round. This workshop would suit a confident knitter who is looking to refine their skills and have the opportunity to ask questions in a supportive environment.
About Chris:
Chris is a long time knitter, who's shared her knowledge via knitting classes at Sunspun across a range of knitting and crochet classes and topics, plus workshops for the 2025 Yarra Valley Wool & Handicrafts Show and 2026 Gather & Yarn. She co-hosts a knitting group in the Macedon Ranges and is a Committee member for the Arts, Craft & Cookery competitions at the Royal Melbourne Show.
Toe-up sock knitting has a few handy advantages: use your yarn efficiently (allowing you to shorten or lengthen the leg depending on your yarn), checking fit as you go, no grafting required, and great for using up leftover yarn.
In this workshop you will learn a toe-up cast-on, how to knit with double pointed needles (DPNs) and how to execute a stretchy bind-off at the cuff; we will create a complete mini sock.
About Vera (Vera Loves Knitting):
Vera Marcu is the designer behind Vera Loves Knitting. She learned knitting as a child and is still fascinated by this mindful and rewarding activity that brings joy to so many people. As an “intuitive” knitter who likes to improvise, Vera prefers to let the yarns guide her in the designing process, so she has rarely followed a knitting pattern.
During the quiet times of lockdowns an idea of sharing these designs with the knitting community became a reality and in 2021 Vera published her first pattern on Ravelry; since then she has published almost 40 patterns independently. Vera likes to design things that are fun to knit but also stylish and practical to wear.
Want to make your first - or another - top down knit? This class will teach you some of the tips and tricks to master this popular knitting trend. Elevate your skills in short rows, creating jogless stripes, using the Magic Loop, and more!
About Kai:
Kai first started knitting back when she 7 – she was taught by her favourite Aunt. After a long break she picked the knitting needles up in her early twenties and hasn’t looked back. She joined BWM in 2012 as a junior in the pattern writing/yarn development team and is now the General Manager at Bendigo Woollen Mills.
In this workshop you'll learn to knit a mitred square and work on a modern mitred square design. You'll learn how to work from the outer edges inward using a central spine or diagonal decrease line to form a crisp 45-degree mitre angle. You'll have a chance to learn and practice all the techniques required, from cast on to changing colours to how to join squares as you go.
About Susanna (Sánná & Co):
Susanna is a knitwear designer and a freelance graphic designer. Originally from Finland, and now Victorian-based, she is an enthusiastic knitter, weaver and sewer.
She has been designing knits for years and in 2020 established Sánná and Co. To date, she has published over 30 beautiful patterns. Her work has been featured in Laine Magazine and PomPom. She’s very engaged with the local fibre community in Australia and is a key contributor in The Bendigo Project and Knit for the Girls.
Explore textured crochet stitches as you work on a scarf sampler. You’ll learn how to create depth and detail in your crochet, building confidence as you practise each stitch and combine different textures in one project.
About Chloe:
Chloe is a passionate crafter who specialises in custom crochet creations under the brand Secrets By Sisters. She has been a keen crocheter for sixteen years and has a Diploma in Crochet from The UK Centre of Excellence. She's undertaking the Level 1 Crochet Instructor Course with the Crochet Guild of Australia. Chloe has been working with BWM for seven years as a test crocheter, helping develop our BWM crochet patterns for release.
Give your knitting a polished finish with practical techniques you can use across your projects. In this workshop, we’ll cover mattress stitch, picking up stitches, casting off options and weaving in ends, helping you build confidence with those final details that bring your knitting together.
About Debra (Debra Kinsey Knits):
Debra has spent most of her career in the world of hand-knitting, working with yarn companies, magazines and yarn shops in roles from pattern writer to tech editor and studio manager. She also ran a yarn shop, The Knitters Workshop, running classes and creating designs and connecting with a community of hand-knitters.
In 2016, drawing on her industry experience and a Graduate Diploma in Editing & Publishing (RMIT), she launched her pattern publishing business,
Working ‘off Gauge’ and tips for other garment pattern modifications - Gayann Walker, Fibre Mates
Gauge can be your best friend - or your worst enemy! In this workshop, suited to both evolving and experienced knitters, Gayann will take you through why gauge matters, how to make a useful swatch suited to your project, what your gauge swatch will tell you about what to knit ...and share some helpful calculations, with a worksheet, on how to work OFF gauge if your knitting (or your preferred yarn) doesn't meet the pattern's recommended gauge. She'll also share tips for other pattern modifications, like adjusting necklines or sleeves.
About Gayann (Fibre Mates Podcast):
Gayann Walker is a Melbourne-based technical editor for knitwear designs, test knitter, yarn enthusiast and host of the popular Australian Knitting Podcast: Fibre Mates.
You've found the pattern, chosen the yarn, and then you hit the size chart and freeze. Do you go by your bust? Your shoulders? The size you usually buy? Or the one the designer is wearing in the photos, because it looks lovely on her?
This class is all about that one decision, the one that matters more than any other. We'll measure ourselves properly (in pairs, so expect a bit of giggling), measure a garment you already love, and find out how much ease you actually like to wear. Then we'll make sense of schematics and size charts, and choose a size together for a real pattern.
You'll leave knowing your numbers, trusting them, and choosing your next size with confidence instead of crossed fingers.
You'll need: slim-fitting or comfortable clothes that are easy to measure over, a tape measure, pen and paper, and a favourite jumper or cardigan that fits you the way you like
About Libby (Truly Myrtle):
Libby is a knitting pattern designer living in beautiful New Zealand. She learned to knit and sew at a young age, making many of her own clothes through my teens and early twenties. She began blogging about knitting in 2010 and has evolved into designing her own patterns and teaching others how to knit and feel fabulous in what they create. Libby has over 100 beautiful patterns that she has designed on her website and Ravelry, and she's had designs featured in Laine and Vogue Knitting Magazines.
Lola Crochets will teach you how to make an innovative beanie that plays a clever trick: It looks like knitting, but it’s actually crochet. You will learn how to master short rows and the overall knit-look crochet technique, and have access to an exclusive pattern that will allow you to make beanies for all your loved ones, big and small.
This beanie is made by crocheting one panel sideways with identical sections of short rows in it. After completion, the sides and top are sewn together and closed. The pattern is written in US terms and it's ideal for intermediate crocheters.
About Maria (Lola Crochets):
Maria started her Lola Crochets journey in 2020 (Lola is the name of her eldest daughter).
Fast forward to today and Lola Crochets has become an integral part of her life. With over 20 stunning patterns, and a huge 70,000+ global Instagram audience, her designs have modern, knit-look designs have resonated with makers globally. She loves designing, writing patterns and most of all, seeing people wear her designs. Originally from Chile she has been living in Australia for many years.
Lean into the flexibility and fun of crochet in this hands-on workshop, which will see you create some pretty three-dimensional flowers and leaves to take home, perfect for adding to headbands, clips or brooches. This workshop is suited to newer crocheters or those who just love the joy of creating.
About Roz (Honeysuckle Cottage Studio):
Roz Effenberg is a Bendigo based fibre artist whose love of crochet is a big part of her art practice. She has taught crochet here in Bendigo in her studio in Honeysuckle Street over many years.
Roz’s work brings together nature, repurposed textiles and traditional techniques, giving discarded materials a new life and keeping them out of landfill.
Feel the fear and do it anyway: Cables! - Jaimie Smith
So many stunning knitwear designs feature cables, but they intimidate many knitters. In this workshop you'll learn how to overcome a fear of cables, plus some tips and tricks to master them!
About Jaimie:
Jaimie is the Creative Project Manager at Bendigo Woollen Mills. Her role focuses on pattern design and development, along with yarn development and more. Jaimie graduated from RMIT's Bachelor of Textile Design and is a life-long maker, passionate about knit, crochet, embroidery and all things creative. Outside crafting, she loves to hike, run and volunteer - currently for the SES.