By Dominique Tassell
“Really warm friendship” is at the heart of the Warwick Spinners and Weavers club, which has become even more important in recent times.
The club has been going for over 50 years, and was initially created to help out women on the land by giving them a craft industry.
Nowadays, the club has around 40 members, who come together every Wednesday and on the first and third Saturday of every month.
The women in the club say “that closeness” has been great during the pandemic.
“Communication is so important.”
They say they always have something in common, and they help each other out whenever they can.
Before the pandemic, Janice Flood tells me the club used to have spinning camps with 100 people at Leslie Dam.
They would get together to learn new skills, like dyeing and felting.
The women in the club say spinning is calming for them.
“It requires a lot of practice,” the say.
But once you’ve mastered it, it’s a perfect way to relax.
Some of the equipment they used has added bonuses, like double paddles which I’m informed are good for circulation.
The club will be holding beginners workshops next month, on Saturday, September 14th and Saturday, September 21st from 10am-3pm.
The intimate workshop costs $50 for both days
Attendees will need a spinning wheel, bobbin and threading hook, 100-200gms of unwashed fleece, and a flicker brush.
If you do not have this equipment, the club can supply it but only for use in the workshops.
Anyone who needs this equipment can state so in the registration form, which can be obtained by messaging the group on Facebook with your email (Warwick Spinners & Weavers Group Inc) or by dropping into a Wednesday session at St Mark’s to pick up the forms.
