The Armidale Spinners and Weavers Club is inviting the community to come along to its annual open day from 9am-5pm on Saturday, June 30, in the Skillshare Building within the Armidale Showground. It will be a chance to see the specialised crafts of the club that spin and weave a kind of magic, turning the likes of sheep and alpaca wool into workable threads and intricate patterns.
President of the Armidale Spinners and Weavers Club, Merryn Twemlow said that all comers will be welcomed. “We’d like to see anybody who is interested in spinning, weaving, dying, felting, knitting and associated crafts, as well as any members of the public at all who might simply be interested in seeing what this group can do, as our members demonstrate their skills.”
Those who attend the open day will see that the local Spinners and Weavers Club is not just for older ladies. “Our members range from young (school-aged) children right through to highly experienced older people who have been practicing our craft for decades,” she said. “We have a number of male members in our club.”
The club has been established for well over 35 years, so there is a wealth of expertise and experience among its members. “We do tapestry weaving, spinning on the ‘great wheel’, looms, weaving squares, eight shaft and four shaft weaving, plus a range of spinning on various wheel styles and sizes. We have a full range of equipment.”
The spin-offs from this therapeutic craft are many. “A lot of us have come from properties where we have been spinning our own wool from our own sheep, goats or alpacas,” Mrs Twemlow said.The spinners and weavers are hoping to see many visitors on their free and friendly open day.
Story: Gary Fry
