Te Awamutu Creative Fibre group members will show off their mastery in town next week.
Pat Quinn, the only bloke in the group, is a skilled weaver and knitter who enjoys the relaxation and camaraderie linked to being a member. Photo: Viv Posselt
An array of products, many of them made from scratch using centuries-old skills, will be available for purchase, including a host of woven, knitted and crocheted items. There will also be a selection of ‘comfort dolls’ on show, dolls made principally for use by service organisations such as the police and Hato Hone St John to help children caught up in stressful situations.
All monies raised from the event will go back into the group for the purchase of fibre and wool to keep members producing well into the future.
Kathy Mitchell holding some of the 39 comfort dolls made by members. Photo: Viv Posselt
Group co-ordinator Clare Ravenscroft with the skein of wool she has just crafted. Photo: Viv Posselt
Group secretary and co-ordinator respectively, Kathy Mitchell and Clare Ravenscroft, said the exhibition at Enrich Plus’ Gallery on Teasdale was an annual event intended to showcase the wide range of work done by members, bring in funds, and pique the interest of future members.
Te Awamutu’s Annette Whittle’s labour of love … a pristinely woven shawl made for her granddaughter to wear at her wedding. Photo: Viv Posselt
Nicole Reihana
People join the group from around the region – one of them regularly attends from Raglan.
The idea behind the group is to bring people together through a shared interest in spinning, weaving, knitting, dying, felting and other fibre crafts – many of them dating back centuries.
Members can be rank-raw beginners or seasoned crafters but are bonded by a shared admiration for finely crafted work and the genial companionship enjoyed at regular gatherings. Te Awamutu Creative Fibre has both daytime and evening sessions at the Baptist Church and is always looking for more members.
Among those at last week’s meeting was a rare gentleman in the mix – Phil Quinn. A weaver and knitter, he has for several years enjoyed the company of his fellow crafters, while all the time declaring the skills to be ‘very restful, very therapeutic’.
Another regular member who was at last week’s session is Rie de Haan, a long-time crafter whose recent 100th birthday was featured in The News.
- April 28 to May 2 Pop-Up shop at the Enrich+ Gallery. The Pop-up shop will be open from 9.30am to 4.30pm, and group members will be on hand to answer questions.
Te Awamutu centenarian Rie de Haan, with fellow group members Johonna Sprangers and Jill McGillivray. Photo: Viv Posselt
Kathy Mitchell, the group’s secretary/treasurer, left, and group co-ordinator Clare Ravenscroft keep things ticking along nicely. Photo: Viv Posselt
Companions in creativity, from left, Anne Savage, Trish Abbott, Betty Gilchrist and Ngaire Phillips. Photo: Viv Posselt
