This year’s CraftAlive fair will kick off another world record attempt for crocheters of Bendigo and the region.

Bendigo Woollen Mills will help launch a campaign to enter the Guinness Book of World Records for the most people crocheting simultaneously, with the attempt to take place at the 2018 fair.

The current official record stands at 485 people, but more than 600 people are understood to have broken that record in April in Singleton, New South Wales.

CraftAlive came painfully close to breaking the then-record in Bendigo in 2015, falling just 12 people shy of the necessary crowd.

Kai Crosson, from Bendigo Woollen Mills, said the squares made during the event, as well as leftover yarn, would be donated to local charity.

This spoke to the nature of crochet as well, she said.

“It’s fun, but you get something out of it as well,” Mrs Crosson said.

With the attempt still a year away, there is plenty of time to learn the craft – something Mrs Crosson encourages everyone to give a go.

She said crocheters gained both the enjoyment of the practice and its meditative qualities, as well as a practical product at the end of it.

Crochet and knitting had enjoyed a resurgence of popularity in recent years, Mrs Crosson said, with crochet proving to be especially popular with younger people.

CraftAlive will also feature craft supplies and experts, as well as interactive studios and classrooms.

CraftAlive will be held at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds Friday June 16 to Sunday June 19, from 9.30am to 4pm.

More information on how to participate in the world record attempt will be available at the fair.