It’s not unusual to hear the whirring of spinning wheels and clacking of knitting needles in our library spaces. Our Selwyn Libraries sites host regular meetings of spinning and knitting groups from across the Waikirikiri Selwyn district. Members gather to share their love of all aspects of woolcrafting, including spinning, dyeing, knitting and felting. As conversation flows, they work on their projects, share or practice new skills, and welcome newcomers.

Members regularly donate knitting to charities and groups such as the SPCA, Christchurch Women’s Hospital maternity ward, and Operation Cover-up, which sends warm clothing and blankets to war-torn Ukraine. It may be the love of working with wool which brings these women together, but it is the company, social interactions and friendships with like-minded people which forge such tight-knit groups.

"(Wool crafting) is so grounding and rewarding. Cathartic. You get a dopamine hit when you finish a section, another when you finish the whole item, and another when you give it to someone. Making and giving is our love language." – Catherine Wright, Malvern Woolcrafters

Michelle Sim

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On display

Collection of items showing the wool crafting process, from raw fleece to finished item. Includes samples of raw and scoured fleece, combed fibre, a flick carder, bobbin with spun single ply yarn, ‘niddy noddy’, a sample of knitting, and a hand-spun merino wool shawl.

On loan from Catherine Wright

Lincoln Spinning and Knitting had its origins in Tai Tapu in the early 1970s, later becoming the large Lincoln/Tai Tapu group which met in St. Stephen's Church Hall on Thursdays. With friendships made across the district and generations, the group continued their meetings at The Old Manse on East Belt in the 1990s, then on to Te Whare Manaaki at Lincoln Union Church on James Street in 2020. After some interruptions from the Covid-19 lockdowns, membership dropped to around 10.

To increase visibility in the community and attract new members and interested visitors, the Lincoln spinners and knitters moved their twice-monthly meetings to Lincoln Library & Service Centre in January 2024. The group really enjoys the vibrant space, and their whirring spinning wheels add to the sense of liveliness. Anyone is welcome to come along, and you don’t have to be an expert knitter, spinner, or crocheter to join in – members are very happy to answer questions and share their skills with anyone who is learning.

Members of Lincoln Spinning and Knitting demonstrating traditional wool crafting skills at Lincoln Library and Service Centre.

Michelle Sim

The Malvern Woolcrafters group (formerly Malvern Spinners and Weavers, established in 1982) encompasses anything fibre-related - from knitting, spinning and crocheting to dyeing, weaving and felting.

They meet formally on the second Monday of the month at St Joseph’s Church Hall in Darfield and have a more social knitting and spinning circle at Darfield Library and Service Centre on the last Monday of the month, to share what they do with the public and encourage others to give it a go. With nearly 30 members, the group is a very active one, and have fibre-related outings, as well as taking part in exhibitions and competitions. The annual Hororātā Highland Games has been an opportunity to showcase their skills, and they have also demonstrated spinning and basic woolcrafting at the Malvern A&P Shows.

Malvern Woolcrafters advocate for the many benefits of crafting with wool, which include mental stimulation and social connection. As member Catherine Wright says, “There is something empowering about doing something you love with like-minded people.”

In addition to their monthly meetings at St Joseph’s Church, Malvern Woolcrafters also have an active social calendar, which includes Christmas lunches, outings and events, and fibre-related classes.

Malvern Woolcrafters

The Ellesmere Knitting and Spinning group began meeting over 20 years ago, first at Irwell Hall, then Leeston RSA, before moving to Leeston Library & Service Centre around 10 years ago. Following the relocation of Leeston library services to a smaller building in March 2025, they now gather every second Wednesday at the Rakaia Huts campground hall.

With around 20 members in the group, the fortnightly meetings are a great social occasion, and members value the interaction and company as much as the opportunity to work on their projects. Conversation flows over a cuppa and a biscuit or two, while the ladies work on a mix of personal projects and charity knitting. Among their many creations are blankets for SPCA foster animals and jerseys and hats for 'Operation Cover Up', the charity which sends much-needed warm clothing and blankets to war-torn Ukraine and other Eastern European countries.

Members of Ellesmere Knitting and Spinning, with some of the clothing items they have knitted for charity.

Michelle Sim

Reflecting the rapid growth of Rolleston, Rolly Yarners is one of the newest knitting groups in Selwyn, having formed in 2020. The group meets on Tuesday evenings at the Salvation Army’s Generation House on Springston Rolleston Road and have a drop-in social knitting circle at Te Ara Ātea on Wednesday afternoons, which anyone is welcome to join.

As well as working on their own projects, Rolly Yarners do a lot of charity knitting, including ‘cuddle buddies’ (knitted teddy bears) for emergency services staff to give to children in stressful situations, and ‘twiddle muffs’ - knitted sleeves that help dementia sufferers by giving them something sensory to fidget with. Rolly Yarners also contribute clothing, blankets and teddy bears for Operation Cover-up, and booties, hats and clothing for the Nest Collective, which provides baby essentials for families in need.

Members say they love connecting with like-minded people and learning different skills from fellow knitters, and that the group is also a great way to meet new people in Selwyn’s fastest-growing town.

Members of Rolly Yarners enjoying working on their projects on a Wednesday afternoon at Te Ara Ātea.

Michelle Sim