The concept of ‘yarn bombing’ began in 2005, credited to a shop owner in Houston, Texas, who covered the handles of her shop in colourful yarn.
Several knitting groups in the area then expanded on that, and began to cover trees and bollards as a form of non-permanent graffiti.
The concept spread quickly across Texas, the United States and the whole of North America.
Eventually, Australia had its first yarn bombing, which started in Bendigo, where an active group still yarn bombs.
In 2018, the phenomenon reached Benalla.
The Benalla yarn bombing might be the only annual event, in the Rose City, that was not curtailed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Benalla Yarn Bombers co-ordinator Joy Shirley said the group was proud to have yarn bombed Benalla’s CBD every year since 2018.
And 2025 will be no different.
“The yarn will go up during the first weekend in August,” Ms Shirley said.
“That’s weather permitting, but we’re aiming for August 2 and 3.”
The installation will be up until mid-September, and will feature many of the community’s favourites, plus new pieces.
“We’ll always have Bluey and Minions,” Ms Shirley said.
“But they’re starting to show their age, so will need some repairs and updating.”
Ms Shirley said the theme for this year was ‘Australiana’.
“The new installations will include native flora and fauna,” Ms Shirley said.
“Normally, with our new set, we will put them either outside the newsagent or post office, so they are in the middle.
“It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun, and there’s a big social element, which is so important these days.”
The group is also working away on yarn bombing to honour those who have served in the armed forces as part of an Anzac Day installation outside Benalla’s RSL on Nunn St.
“We’re actually working on some tree wraps for that now,” Ms Shirley said.
“Last year we found the trees were very big, and the tree wraps weren't as long as we would have liked them to be.
“So we’re lengthening the strips. We’re busy sewing, and knitting poppies for that.”
Those will go up the Tuesday before Anzac Day and come down on April 29.
Ms Shirley reminded the community to not stand on the road taking photos.
“With Bluey and the Minions, we actually have them facing the footpath, as kids often want their photo taken, and it’s safer for parents to take the photo without going into the road,” she said.
The Benalla Yarn Bombers are a group of eight volunteers, but are always on the lookout for new people to join in the fun.
“We are meeting in the Visitor Information Centre every second Tuesday afternoon,” Ms Shirley said.
“We met yesterday, which was the March 18, so our next one is April 1.”
If anyone would like to take part, simply pop along and introduce yourself.
Alternatively, you can call Joy Shirley on 0417 065 351, or email benallayarnbombers@gmail.com.
The group also needs assistance to install the yarn in August. If you are in a position to assist with that, give her a call.
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