Dannevirke: Region's spinners gather for a yarn

Jenny Wilson, left, and Maureen Anderson, both from Palmerston North, and Majorie Gillespie of Pahiatua, share some quiet time under a shady tree at the Dannevirke Spinners and Weavers open day.

Spinning is addictive, but a wonderful way to relax - according to visitors to Dannevirke last weekend.

Jenny Wilson from Palmerston North found a spot under a shady tree at the Dannevirke Spinners and Weavers Club on Saturday and was quite content to sit, spin and watch the world go by.

"I've been spinning for quite a long time," she said. "I began when I lived in England in 1977. It's not difficult and it's very relaxing."

Monie Hansen, left, 98, from Palmerston North, with Pat Hewitt, a senior member of the Dannevirke Spinners and Weavers Club, at the open day last weekend, dying yarn with walnuts.

Majorie Gillespie of Pahiatua became hooked on spinning when she saw crafters working in Wright Stephensons when her children were little.

"I decided I'd like to do that and took up spinning in 1981 when the family was older," she said. "I also love dying. It's a good interest."

Visitors from around the region shared their love of yarn at the Dannevirke club's open day, including 98-year-old Monie Hansen, from Palmerston North.

"I'm a bit wobbly nowadays, but I'm enjoying it," she told the Dannevirke News, as she helped club member Pat Hewitt search for bags of yarn in a boiling cauldron of walnut shells. "This is a real fishing trip."

Fellow club member Elaine Webber said Pat had been wonderful at looking after the fires under the cauldrons, but an injury was restricting her activities on Saturday.

"She's marvellous," Mrs Webber said. "Preparing for this open day has meant three days of searching for material for the dying. I went to the dump to find the buddleia, then I had to track down privet, yarrow and dog daisies."

Yvonne Monk from Waipawa demonstrated felting and admitted it was addictive too.

And although the number of out-of-town visitors was down because of fears of bad weather, Mrs Webber said the day had been a wonderful success.

"The weather was beautiful and this year the colours from our dying are gorgeous," she said.