Dannevirke: Shawl spins judge's wheels

Anne Holloway, centre, was the winner of the Dannevirke Evening News Rosebowl at the Spinners and Weavers Club this year. Showing off the winning shawl are club secretary Heather Ridge (left), Anne and judge Jill Mills. Photo / Christine McKay

For 27 years, Dannevirke's top spinners and weavers have competed for the Dannevirke Evening News Rosebowl.

First awarded in 1988 to celebrate the newspaper's centennial, the rosebowl is awarded to a member of the Dannevirke Spinners and Weavers Club who has produced the most outstanding article in the year.

This year, Anne Holloway won the rosebowl for her beautiful, crocheted shawl, spin from an alpaca fleece she acquired from a Central Hawke's Bay alpaca breeder.

Dyed blue, and crocheted in a pineapple pattern, the shawl caught the eye of judge Jill Mills, but she admitted it had been a difficult task deciding on the winner this year.

"There were a lot of entries and I had to turn things over and over before I came to a decision," Jill said.

Anne has been a member of the club since the 1970s and said it's the friendship and the learning opportunities which are the cornerstone of the club.

"I didn't expect to win, but I do a lot of crocheting and this handspun alpaca is very soft and very pleasant to work with.

"It's warm too and spins up beautifully and, although I'm a sheep farmer, I do like the softness of alpaca."

Several members of the Spinners and Weavers Club like to spin their own hand-coloured fleeces, creating jerseys, hats and scarves which are very popular.

Formed in 1968, the club first met in the Womens' Division rooms in High St. In 1973, they purchased their cottage in McPhee St and welcome new members.