2021 Yarning Myths and Legends

Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2021AS Beanie Festival 2021 – 2 AS Beanie Festival 2021 – 3

The world’s biggest Beanie Festival is one of those iconic Alice Springs events, held during the colder months of winter, when everyone needs a beanie…


The Kraken by Louise Leckie, Australia

Celebrating a Favourite Myth – Winner

Hand knit woollen yarn hand made felt, glass beads, wool/poly fill stuffing – wire. Ship – needle felt – wire. Bamboo, cotton, brass

The Kraken by Louise Leckie, Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2021
The Kraken by Louise Leckie, Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2021

“Beware Drop Bear” by Marilyn Hunter, 68 yrs, Alice Springs, NT

Celebrating a Mythological Character or Creature from Pop Culture – Winner

Materials used – wool rowings, wool yarn. Techniques – knit felt – wet felt – needle felting

"Beware Drop Bear" by Marilyn Hunter, Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2021
“Beware Drop Bear” by Marilyn Hunter, Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2021

Bunyip by Kristian Malinski, 45 yrs, Alice Springs, NT

Celebrating a Mythological Creature – Winner

Needle felted.

Bunyip by Kristian Malinski, Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2021
Bunyip by Kristian Malinski, Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2021

Scary Dragon by Louise Thackray, 78 yrs, Geelong, NSW

Colour Magic Prize – Winner

Every type of yarn and colour I could find is worked into this creation! Lots of beads, glitter and spangles! So many yarns about dragons, one story is the one about St George and the Dragon.

Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2021
Scary Dragon by Louise Thackray, Geelong NSW – Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2021

Mamu by Jude Mapleson, 70 yrs, Alice Springs, NT

Mythological Creature – Special Mention

Crocheted wool and yarn. Knitted woollen eyes. Crocheted cotton feet. Mamu is the scary man of the APY Lands. “Mamu get you!”

Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2021
Mamu by Jude Mapleson, Alice Springs NT – Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2021

Our Legends of Bush Fires by Cherrelle Nicholson, 72 yrs, Stawell, VIC

Spirit of the Land – Winner

Needle felted wool, handcrocheted gum nuts. Inspired by the devasting bush fires in VIC 2020.

Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2021
Our Legends of Bush Fires by Cherrelle Nicholson, Stawell VIC – Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2021


Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2021AS Beanie Festival 2021 – 2 AS Beanie Festival 2021 – 3

Alice Springs Beanie FestivalAlice Springs Beanie Festival 2008 Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2012 Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2013 Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2014 Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2018 Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2019 Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2021 Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2022 Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2023 Alice Springs Beanie Festival 2024 Beanie Maker Artisan Alice Springs Beanie Festival Sponsorship

Snapshots from the Alice Springs Beanie Festival | Bird Watching at the Beanie Festival