Milestone birthday celebrated as Jumpers and Jazz kicks off in Warwick

The Yarntopians’ quirky knitted creations at the festival were the perfect backdrop for one visitor to celebrate her 80th birthday in style.

Thousands make the trip to Warwick each year for winter favourite Jumpers and Jazz in July – but for one visitor, this year’s festival was about marking a special day.

Bribie Island resident Barbara Blair travelled hundreds of kilometres to celebrate her 80th birthday at the festival, after her daughter heard about it and suggested it would be the perfect place to mark the milestone.

The first stop on the birthday girl’s trip of the region was Freestone, where she came across an “amazing” yarnbombed windmill.

“And we’re going to the Abbey (Boutique Hotel) for Christmas in July,” Mrs Blair said.

She also dropped in at the Yarntopians’ installation at the Warwick Art Gallery, where the foyer has been turned into a vintage lounge room filled with handmade sculptures.

The Yarntopians spent months crocheting, knitting, and crafting elements such as chairs, canapes, and records to create the display.

Yarntopian Helen Gross had been working with the group for more than a decade and said she loved the social aspect.

“During COVID, we weren’t able to meet because a lot of our members are elderly, (so) we made a Facebook group … where we could share our work,” she said.

Ms Gross said she had a personal love for the vintage theme and enjoyed spending an afternoon rummaging through an op-shop to pick up items from bygone eras.

The Yarntopians first began their stunning Jumpers and Jazz displays in 2010, and have continued to take on more challenging projects each year.

Warwick Art Gallery assistant and yarnbombing co-ordinator Loretta Grayson said she loved watching the ideas progress.

Yarnbombing co-ordinator Loretta Grayson at the Warwick Art Gallery (Photo: Zilla Gordon).

“We start planning about ten months out (from the festival),” she said.

Ms Grayson said the group then brainstormed ideas and the creative energy would begin to flow.

“I’m always inspired by what they come up with.”

The Front Room exhibit can be viewed between 10am – 4pm at the Warwick Art Gallery throughout the duration of the festival.