My main interest is in combining texture and colour in hand-knitted garments. My inspiration is the coastal scenery in the area to the north of Sydney. My garments reflect the forms of the flora, the rock formations, the rich blues in the ocean views and the myriad of vibrant greens in the surrounding National Park. I am interested in spinning and creating exciting soft yarns in alpaca, blends of silk, and delicate angora. I also enjoy blends of wool and mohair with their wonderful sheen and tactile qualities. All my garments (jumpers, cardigans, jackets, hats, wraps and ensembles) are individually designed. These creations are the result of many years of experience in producing handspun yarn, designed for specific purposes. Some garments are knitted from commercial yarn, combining cotton with silk

My main interest at present, is in designing coordinated pieces. I am also interested in developing garments based on the concept of versatility

Helen Smith Images

As my family matured and my free time increased, I was introduced to spinning and weaving by my local craft group. Spinning and weaving soon became a consuming passion. Living on the fringe of The Royal National Park, and surrounded by the colour and texture of the native flora, I am inspired to create and design unusual and delightful garments.

I love using natural fibres such as merino wool, alpaca, mohair, camel and silk and experimenting with vegetable and commercial dyes to produce unusual and exciting colours for my garments. I am still happily spinning, weaving and felting but am also currently interested in patchwork and quilting and making heirloom quilts for my family

I have been spinning since 1973. I have completed a handweaving course at Gymea TAFE college with Audrey Miller. I have attended courses on Nuno felting with Jenny Hopper, Ikat Dyeing and Weaving with Liz Calnan, Theo Morman Weaving technique with Wendy Cartwright, and Weaving and Colour with Liz Calnan. I have also attending many workshops over the years in various aspects of spinning, weaving, dyeing, felting a patchwork.

Helen Thomas Images

Handknitting allows me to make a fabric and use all the colour I want. I've explored traditional knitting techniques to allow me the flexibility of multicolour use. I use mainly commercial yarns and preferably natural fibres

My current direction is to make large lightweight coats, shawls and jackets.

I have a Diploma in Art Education 1979 and am self taught in handknitting.

Liz Gemmell Images

I enjoy spinning and knitting as a challenging hobby. I learned to spin at the Society of Arts and Crafts in Harrington Street and leaned knitting at my mother's knee. I am always working on new styles, such as longer lines in jackets and sweaters.

Grace Whitehouse Images

I have been spinning for seventeen years as a hobby. My garments have been sold to tourists from Alaska, China, and the United States, in fact to tourists from all around the world.

I enjoy working with the natural colours of fleece, as well as dyeing yarn.

I learned to spin with Sutherland Shire Spinners and Weavers, and have enjoyed many of their workshops. I completed a one year course at Gymea TAFE and have attended several workshops on various aspects of weaving.

Sylvia Langtree Images

As a textile enthusiast with an extensive background in Textiles Education, I love working with natural fibres to create yarns and cloth by spinning, weaving, knitting and felting. The use of colour through dyeing is an exciting aspect of my work.

My current work in felting is an adaption of traditional felting techniques to suit the warmer temperatures and short winters of the coastal area where I reside. Known as Nuno Felting, this method incorporates the use of a background fabric onto which fibres, (mostly wool and sometimes alpaca) are felted. These felted areas are then dyed using colour schemes and effects that are suggestive of the coastal and country environment from around the area where I live. My production techniques incorporate environmentally friendly methods and the use of Australian fibres and other materials.

Advanced Weaving Certificate, TAFE, NSW Advanced Spinning Certificate, TAFE, NSW Teachers Certificate in Textile Education, BA B. LITT. (NE) Various workshops with Australian and International tutors

Jenny Hopper Images

Since childhood, encouraged and taught by my mother, I have had an interested in all fibrecraft, expecially knitting. I experimented with designing when my children were small and much later took this further with two books, Oddball and Knitting and Entrelac Knitting. As a member of the Knitters Guild of NSW, I have learned many aspects of knitting and crochet from other tutors as well as giving workshops myself. I also spin some of the yarns I use as well as dyeing them. I am currently combining Oddball and Entrelac techniques into distinctive but practical garments. Having a Welsh background, I have been influenced by Celtric designs and found that I could successfully incorporate them in knitted garments. I am still experimenting with these.

Brenda Horne Images

I create ceramic jewellery and artistic textiles which capture the distinctive themes and breathtaking colours of Australia.

Born in Warsaw, Poland, I arrived in Sydney in 1990 and since then, have been developing my very own unique jewellery and wearable art. My jewellery collection includes handmade necklaces, pendants and earrings in magnificent lustres, reflecting oceanic greens and blues, sun drenched earthy reds and purples as well as glowing gold from Australian mines. My textile range features highly elaborate shawls which are made using a combination of ancient and modern techniques to fuse silks, wool, gauze and netting. Each shawl is a unique creation of colour, texture and theme. They can be worn or draped over a lounge or displayed as a wall hanging.

I am continuously researching and experimenting to ensure that my creative output is always original and inspiring.

Grace Levis Images

I love to design my own patterns and garments, and often dye the yarn that I spin, as well as commercial yarns which I may use in my work.

I am constantly striving for new and innovative ways of combining colour and texture and use mostly natural fibres/yarns, but don't shy away from using other materials and techniques.

I have recently started to explore 'knitting with wire' as well as other finishing methods, ie fulling my hand knit pieces.

Brigitte Sieber Images

I have extensive knowledge of felt making from floor rugs, freeform sculpture to structural felt and sheer drapes.

My work now is with fabric manipulation, controlling the surface structure by using wool firbes on the entire under surface of hand dyed silk fabrics, enabling me to make a light weight fabric. All my works are cut and stitched for style and drape.

I have taught felting techniques and attended many workshops in both felting and art to wear. I gained my Quality Mark Feting ticket from New Zealand in 1995.

Pat Surace Images

Until my 18th year, I lived with my parents on a sheep, cattle and horse property in the Upper Hunter River region of NSW.

I work to use my skills in knitting and spinning to promote the good use and beauty of wool.

I studied with Jack Harrison, Woollahra Arts Centre, Bondi Junction, Weaving Spinning from 1970 - 1971.

Maude Crittendon Images