The Clarence Town Fibreholics are a small group of women – although men are welcome too – who have a love of spinning, weaving, knitting and other craft activities.

Started by Ruth Saunders six years ago, the group first started in the Scout Hall at Glen William.

“There were a few spinners around town and myself and Fran (Griffiths) were members of the Newcastle Spinners and Weavers, but thought a local group would be good,” Mrs Saunders said.

“We now have 15 members and include diverse interests such as knitting, patchwork, smocking, needlework and sewing.

“There are different educational days which include dyeing, making felt and weaving techniques.”

The majority of the group is involved in spinning and weaving and said they have no trouble in sourcing materials.

“Some of us have our own sheep and they grow it faster than we can weave it,” said Fran Harris.

“We’ve all got crates of wool at home. I haven’t had sheep in seven years but I’ve still got seven years worth of wool ready to be used.

“We also use mohair, wool silk and rabbit angora.

“You can even use dog and cat hair – any type of fibre. It’s only as big as your imagination . . . and we experiment a lot.”

Once a month the group has outings where they meet with other like-minded people or go on excursions to exhibitions.

They also sell their finished products at both the Dungog and Clarence Town markets with some also going to organic feast markets in Newcastle.

“We mainly do it for ourselves and our families as it can work out rather expensive if we have to charge for our time,” Fran said.

“It works out to be about $200 kilogram for handspun wool and not many are prepared to pay.”

Newcomer Kris Burnet has just moved to Clarence Town and joined the group a couple of weeks ago.

“I was encouraged to come along and even though I am just knitting squares for a rug, I find the friendship in the group is great,” she said.

Katherine Pitkin said members don’t have to spin to come to craft.

“Some just like to knit out of commercial yarn,” she said.

“We don’t do projects as a group, it’s all individual.

“People can come and just sit and talk – a bit of company for some people.

“We have a lot of laughs and can be creative at the same time.”

The group meets every Tuesday in St John’s Anglican Church hall from 10.30am to 2.30pm.

For more information phone Jill Harris on 4996 4394 or Fran Griffiths on 4996 4263.