The Knit August Nights gathering has been a feature of the Napier, NZ August calendar since 2009. This year the organisers travelled across the ditch to Bendigo with the Knit Australian Nights gathering timed for 12-14 July, just before the Bendigo Wool Show. I attended with some of the ladies I travelled to Shetland with in 2024.

The format consists of a number of 3-hour classes, 6-hour master classes, trader stands and just general fibre camaraderie (aka stitch ‘n chat). Classes included colour theory, mosaic knitting, Temari ball making, finishing skills, fitting skills, Aran knitting, felting on silk and photography for knitters. I did the mosaic knitting, finishing skills and Temari making classes over the 3 days.

Unfortunately, I am not the most consistent photo taker, so I only have photos of my mosaic attempt (left), and the Temari class (right). However, I can assure you everyone had a great time, and we are still talking about our various classes in our WhatsApp group. I even managed to use some of the finishing skills I learned producing a vest for my great nephew.

The gathering was held at the Quality Hotel Lakeside, which was an excellent venue, with early morning coffee served at the bar, and options for snack or heavier lunches. There was also other lunch venues close by and the Lake Weeroona Park across the road for those willing to brave the weather (it rained!!). I think some of us believed the best bit was that the Bendigo Woollen Mills were within lunchtime walking distance.

Whilst the gathering was a little expensive, I felt I got my money’s worth with the classes and the opportunity to connect with like-minded crafters. I did not stay at the Quality Hotel, as our group had a single house in Castlemaine for the week, which did make the overall cost a bit more reasonable and still provided the opportunity for late night knitting and wine chats.

So, what did I learn? I love mosaic knitting, probably more than Fair Isle, but they both have their advantages. I can do better at finishing my garments, and learned a lot of neat little tricks. Temari ball making is just plain fun. The main thing was, even if the class says that everything is supplied and all you need is a notebook, pen, scissors and a wool needle, make sure you have a full knitting kit including yarn, appropriately sized knitting needles and crotchet hooks, stitch holders and markers, and row counter. I did not take these and in every class except Temari I wished I had.

It is also wise to take both a finished and current project with you just for showing off. Everyone else does.

Rhonda B.