Harrietville Primary School teacher, Anna Reid, recently won a prestigious knitting award at the Alice Springs Beanie Festival.: the Eileen Bladon Tea Cosy Prize.
Her piece, an octopus-shaped tea cosy, took out the Eileen Bladon Tea Cosy Prize from 7000-plus entries on display across the three-day event last week.
"It was a bit of a surprise to hear I'd won, considering how many pieces were entered," Anna said.
"This was my second year entering the Alice Springs Beanie Festival, but I've entered other agricultural competitions over the last four years.
"I was awarded the prize, along with a beautiful hand-made trophy and the octopus has sold already."
Latest Stories
A percentage of the sale of each piece goes to local Alice Springs community groups.
"This design was a bit of a challenge: I recently learned how to make bobbles and incorporated them into my plan," Anna said.
"I try to do two new challenges each year.
"I do a fair few crafts, so knitting and other techniques are always in the mix.
"I'm currently working on my showpieces for this year."
As a local teacher, Anna will have 'a nice two week window' to work on her next projects, with the school holidays in July.
"I have a couple of months up my sleeve before entering the next competition, to get a lot of knitting done," she said.
"I do try to model to the kids you never stop learning: challenge yourself and it pays off."
Next year, the Alice Springs Beanie Festival will celebrate its 13th and likely, final year, as organisers struggle to maintain the community event.
Cathy Hewett from Porepunkah said she was very proud one of Harrietville's locals had won this very prestigious national award in the craft world.
"It's incredible what Anna can do with crafts and the material she chooses," Cathy said.
"I know Anna because she comes into our op shops and makes things into crafty pieces.
"This young teacher is a multi-talented person; a whiz at making her handicrafts and clothes."
