Weekend Aussie Handmade Markets

I’ve been announcing tons of US indie craft markets lately, but those of you Down Under have been sorely neglected. Here’s a roundup of some local weekend craft markets going on now. Most happen monthly. Watch for more later this week!
Eveleigh Markets’ Monthly Artisans’ Arts & Craft Market– first Sunday of each month, from 10:ooam to 4:00pm.

Eveleigh Market hosts an Artisans’ Art and Craft Market showcasing the very best individually designed local art, sculpture, design, ceramics, glass, craft and Indigenous artworks.

Kirribilli Art and Design Market – June 14, July 12, August 9, 9:00am to 3:00pm.

This makers’ market has a vibrant atmosphere. Artists, Craft Practitioners and Designers are all welcome to submit their work. Original Paintings, Glass, Ceramics, Fashion & Accessories, Homewares, Millinery and Fresh Flowers along with international food and great live music!

The Olive Tree Market – Saturday the 6th of June, 9:00am to3:00pm, ‘The Junction Public School’.

Over 80 regular stalls. showcase The market showcases Newcastle’s contemporary art, craft, design, photography, textiles, handmade toys and fashion directly from the artists. Local musicians play at each market and buskers are welcome to come and play on the day. Come along to the next market, find that unique gift, mingle amongst friends and artisans, drink good coffee, eat delicious food, buy organic bread and plants. Relax and watch the bustle of the markets go by…..

Cobbitty Craft Market – Saturday July 4th, 8:00am to 1:00pm. First Saturday of each month.

We are a craft market, with our stallholders selling a wide range of unusual and interesting hand-made goods, gifts and wares – from ceramics, woodwork, paintings and frames, to clothes and jewellery, unique furniture, gorgeous nick-knacks and trinkets, lovingly made soaps and body products, toys for the littlies, and a whole lot more – always something perfect for that special gift, important occasion, or just to spoil yourself, friends or family. We also sell a selection of gourmet fresh, baked, and carefully prepared foods and produce; and there are flowers, plants and seedlings as well.

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time.

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring.

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn.

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row.

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves.

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body.

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy.

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

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