Castlemaine’s annual Beanie Affair will run for three days starting Friday, with displays, stalls and workshops doing away with the notion that knitting and crocheting are exclusively the pursuits of grandmothers.

More than fifty artists from central Victoria and further afield are expected to attend the event, with an estimated 5000 people anticipated to walk through the doors over the three days.

The workshops will have a focus on sustainability, teaching people to upcycle old clothing.

Attendees will also be able to get help with their own projects from experienced textile artists.

One of the more unusual aspects of the event will be the demonstrations of knitting using broomsticks as needles.

There will also be an opportunity to learn about WARM, a community textile art project exploring sustainability and global warming which will go on display in Ballarat in September.

Event volunteer SallyRose Carbines said the event came just in time for the cooler weather.

“Winter doesn’t have to be drab and dreary,” Ms Carbines said.

“We need to keep warm, and we can do it creatively.”

Founder Allison Nye started Beanie Affair in 2012 to showcase local textile artists and their work.

Ms Carbines said textile art was growing and Castlemaine in particular seemed to have attracted a lot of artists.

The event will be held held in the Market Building in Mostyn Street, Castlemaine, between 9am and 5pm, Friday to Sunday.

Workshops will be held Friday at 2pm, Saturday at 10am and 2pm, and Sunday at 10.30am.