Dannevirke: More than just a colourful yarn

Elaine Webber, of the Dannevirke Spinning and Weaving Club, admires her yarn dyed with begonia flowers at last Friday's dye day. Photo/Christine McKay

WHEN Maureen Reynolds told fellow spinners and weavers if they didn't want to dye they should stay inside and knit, there were some raised eyebrows.

But Mrs Reynolds, the president of the Dannevirke Spinners and Weavers Club, was simply making sure club members who didn't want to be enveloped in smoke during the annual dye day last Friday, still went along to the craft cottage in McPhee St.

But there were other hazards dedicated club members quickly learnt as they boiled, bubbled and brewed their natural vegetation dyes in old coppers.

"Don't melt your apron," Mrs Reynolds warned Elaine Webber as she added the mordant which is used to make the natural colours grab the wool.

"Ooh, that's hot," Mrs Webber said. "You've got to watch out, or you'll singe your legs, but you won't need to shave them."

The annual dye day sets the club aside from many others in New Zealand, club member Alison Rasmussen said.

"I reckon we're one of the best clubs in New Zealand as very few clubs have their own premises such as we've got here," she said.

Joining the Dannevirke club members were keen crafters from Otane and Waipawa.

Otane's Sue Grayson has been to the dye day before and brought along a garment dyed with walnuts last time.

"I love it," she said. "I have coloured sheep, but it's quite fun to see the results of dyeing with natural materials."

Shirley Jensen, also from Otane, loved the mystery of discovering what colour shows itself as the yarn is lifted from the dye.

Using ivy, convolvulus, yarrow, rhubarb leaves, onion skins, flax, walnuts, fuchsia, dahlia, lemon leaves, privet, apple leaves and twigs, yellow lupin, begonias and angelica, the results can vary.

"I'm thrilled with the colours they're so much more brilliant this year," Mrs Webber said. "I think it's because of the weather. We always try out new dyes and this year it's ivy and begonias."

The rich, autumn colours, along with some fresh lemon tones, were a delight for first-time dyer Lyn Todd of Otane.

"It's been exciting to see the results," she said. "Where else could you see a line up of coppers like this. It's been a superb day. I'll probably use my yarn to weave saddle blankets."

Dannevirke Spinners and Weavers Club, craft cottage, 30 McPhee St, on Wednesday from 10am to 2.30pm, and on Wednesday night from 7pm to 9pm. If you would like to learn to knit and crochet, needles and wool are available.