What is The Bendigo Project?

The Bendigo Project began as the passion project of four Australian knitwear designers: Susanna Kaartinen (Sanna and Co), Kath Martin (Mindful Melbourne Maker), Vera Marcu (Vera Loves Knitting) and Tess Vandekolk (Fluff and Nonsense).

Commencing in 2025, the event saw us collaborating with 27 Australian dyers and mills to enable the release of kits for various patterns - the variety and beauty of the kits were a testament to the amazing yarn producers and dyers we have in Australia. We were incredibly grateful for the wonderful support from so many local dyers and creatives who were enthusiastic about our idea and were keen to get involved.

The 2025 knitalong kicked off in March at a virtual cast on party, and then in July we met up in person at the Australian Sheep and Wool Show here in Bendigo. We see The Bendigo Project as an opportunity to deepen the connections across our woolly community, and to encourage makers, dyers, designers and wool producers to work together and bring together their projects and ideas.

For 2026, we are broadening our scope beyond knitting and welcoming in our fellow yarn crafters, by introducing some crochet patterns and special new designers, like Shelley Husband (Shelley Husband Crochet), to our team.

We are so looking forward to having you join in and craft with us!