WE MAKE BEANIES IN THE OUTBACK!

DEBORAH AND HER CLOSE-KNIT FRIENDS LOVE CREATING WEARABLE ART

- Megan Rowe

Beanie-ologists from across the globe recently descended on Alice Springs for the town’s 26th annual celebration of the humble head covering.

Around 6800 handcrafted, colourful creations were on display at ‘Beaniefest’, all competing for coveted awards including the Central Australian accolade, the Heart of the Country award and the Stitched-Up prize.

The crafty celebration began in 1997 when a group of Aboriginal women from remote communities decided to hold a ‘beanie party’ to sell 100 of their hand-crocheted pieces.

It has since grown to be one of the largest beanie festivals in the world and includes beanie workshops, Indigenous culture displays and live entertainment.