Amanda Borrill dropped in for a cup of tea with Jane Barrett and the HI Fibrecrafters to find out just what it is that bonds this close-knit group and why their time together is so valuable.
Those who create together, stay together. Technically, not quite how the saying goes but feels particularly relevant for the talented group of ‘material girls’ I had the pleasure of spending an afternoon with recently. Be it embroidery, knitting, crochet, quilting or, even, spinning – these ladies are sure to have seen it, done it and then made the t-shirt!
Brainchild of crafting duo Elaine Farrell and Jane Barrett, this independent and welcoming group provides a space to meet, chat and share ideas about crafting with fibre. Their first meet-ups took place back in 2020, but Covid lockdowns and the impersonal nature of crafting over Zoom ultimately proved too restrictive and they only managed two sessions before things were put on hold.
No set of challenges though, however difficult, was going to break this group’s spirit and in the autumn of 2022 Jane was persuaded to pick up those knitting needles and get things moving once again. For a group with no funding, this was not going to be an easy task, and Jane remembers it well.
“Encouraged by some very enthusiastic driving forces, Sally Mattson and Gina Barber in particular, we set out on a mission to find a local venue suitable for a group with no money. Luckily for us Libby Bennett at Homefield Close Community Centre welcomed us with open arms. I gambled a tenner on securing the building for our first meeting, publicity went out and I was amazed to see 14 people show up! At the second meeting, we took the decision we were viable to continue and now, I’m happy to say, we are sustainable in terms of paying for the hall and refreshments.”
The group meets fortnightly and the only rule is that there are no rules. Elaine and Jane’s vision was that the meetings remain unstructured – an opportunity to sit and craft, read craft magazines and books, exchange tips and tricks or simply, in Jane’s own words, “have a good old natter!”.
A creative haven
On the day I visited, I arrived to find a dozen or so ladies sitting around several large tables; cups of tea, a packet of Rich Tea biscuits, fabric, knitting and magazines strewn all around them. The welcome I received was a warm one and, as a self-confessed crafting failure (my daughter will happily elaborate if you want details), their diverse range of skills left me awestruck. On a vintage sewing machine, working on some beautiful fabric, sat a young woman newly resident in our community from Afghanistan; creating intricate piles of delicate patchwork quilt pieces was Carol; and busily embroidering the most delightful windmill was Lizzy.
Lizzy joined the group just before Christmas and, having been through many years of serious illness as a youngster, finds the sessions immensely therapeutic. Sharing what it means to her she told me: “I really enjoy making and sewing things and I especially like to make craft things. Each Christmas, I hold a sale for my neighbours with the money raised going to Young Lives vs. Cancer – a charity very special to me because they supported me when I was young.
“At the moment I am making some wall hangings to go in our kitchen”, she explains. “I have lost my hearing. It has got worse and worse over the years and is particularly bad now. The audiology people have suggested that we carpet the floor and put things on the walls to help with the echoing of sound around the room, so I’m making pictures of the four seasons as wall hangings”.
For Lizzy, once a keen and promising musician, the impact of losing her hearing has left her feeling apprehensive about social situations and this group has been a lifeline. “A friend knew that I like to craft” she told me “and she suggested I might like to join this group where there are lots of friendly people all doing different things they enjoy. Even though I can’t hear well, they are all very kind and understanding.
“Most of my friends have been able to move on, get jobs and lives of their own and I’m left behind. Joining this group means I can be part of things a bit more, doing what I enjoy. I really recommend this group to everyone”.
“Don’t be afraid to have a go..”
From novice to near expert, you will be sure of a warm welcome. Kathryn, who regularly accompanies Lizzy to the meetings, joined the Fibrecrafters simply to get a few tips on how to improve her crochet but her time spent with the group has brought much more. “I don’t spend much time on my crochet”, she revealed “but find it relaxing to have a little project on the go. I’ve not advanced much but it is a lovely group where I was surprised to meet several friends I have known for years, as well as chat to new ones!”
Studies have shown that the repetitive actions of activities like knitting, and the satisfaction involved in creating, makes crafting well-suited for self-care, lowering stress and promoting wellbeing and I asked Jane what advice she would give to those thinking about resurrecting a forgotten hobby or taking up a craft for the first time. “Oh wow, that’s a tough one!” she replied. “I really enjoy the technical challenges of knitting and spinning. So, to begin with, I found a couple of wonderfully creative and knowledgeable knitters on YouTube and learned heaps about technique from them. I also followed an online magazine called Fruity Knitting which introduced me to many wonderful knitting designers and makers”.
“Then, in 2019, I went to Shetland Wool Week“, she continued. “It was wonderful having a go at new, diverse, classes such as making thrummed mittens, a shawl pin and designing Fair Isle gloves! With all that under my belt, I felt more confident about my knitting and started to look forward to meeting and chatting with others”.
A stitch above the rest
For those who wish to learn from the best, there are few places better equipped with creative skill than a HI Fibrecrafters get together. Moira, well known locally for her stunning quilting and embroidery is a great all rounder – always very happy to share her deep breadth of knowledge with others – and Joan who, I discovered, holds legendary status amongst friends and family for her prolific jumper production, will happily pass on a tip or two if needed.
I asked Jane, herself modelling a colourful striped self-knit, to reveal something of her own skill set. Unsurprisingly her answers revealed some pretty impressive talents. “When I retired, one of my aims was to develop my knitting skills beyond the basic. And I think I’ve done that”, she laughed. “I make hats, mittens, gloves, cowls, shawls and of course socks… and sell some of my products at craft fairs. I also make bespoke items and my sister-in-law keeps me busy with those. Most recently I’ve been knitting her a Fair-Isle vest with Shetland wool… that’ll keep her cosy!”
And, as if that’s not enough, there’s more: “Elaine kindled in me a passion for spinning and I have recently completed the foundation course in spinning awarded by the Association of Guilds of Weavers, Spinners and Dyers. I’m now registered for their Certificate of Achievement which will take my spinning to a whole new level with an exhibition of my portfolio as an endpoint. That’s very exciting.”
Top of the box
The group is also very open to collaborations with other local creative projects and has regularly helped out HI Ducks – another of the village’s talented creative groups. HI Ducks is the team behind many of the cheery post box toppers we have seen over recent years, after Alison Turnbull came up with the idea to add a bit of whimsy to the village. Since then, they have treated the community to creations that have included the Wind in the Willows, Babar’s picnic, the Queen’s Jubilee with Brian Maysheep on the castle battlements, elves collecting and delivering the Christmas post, Morris Men, dancing teddy bears etc.
Many crafts are evident in the displays – and that’s where the HI Fibrecrafters step in: knitting and crochet of course, but others, too – needle felting (remember the Queen’s corgi last year?), sewing (those topper covers are made too), free form embroidery (the banners), woodwork (the topper bases, the trees and the soldier), and artwork (that gorgeous painting of a stag on the Christmas topper).
Sally is one of those involved in putting together many of the scenes. “I really enjoy being part of HI Ducks”, she tells me. “I’ve mainly been involved in putting together toppers using components other people have made, which can include re-using pieces from previous toppers. Nothing gets thrown away” she explains. “Our knitters/crocheters are often very modest about their contributions and it is lovely to be able to show them off in a way that brings pleasure to a lot of people.”
It’s not all about quirky toppers though. Last autumn HI Fibrecrafters were also involved in creating a bunch of beautiful Remembrance Day poppies. Gina told me: “Approximately 80 poppies from a variety of designs and patterns were knitted or crocheted. These included purple poppies for the contributions made by animals, mainly horses in WW1 and dogs in recent wars, including the famous little Jack Russell in Ukraine. The white ones were for the hope of peace. Fellow crafter Marguerita and I sewed them all on.”
This is clearly a rewarding activity: “The crazy ideas, making the little creatures and the other bits and pieces, and putting it all together – the whole process is great fun”, Jane tells me with a big smile. “Villagers come up to us in the street to tell us how much they enjoy the displays. And the enjoyment is evident, when you see a crowd of people around the toppers and children being lifted up to see the displays and folks walking round the village to spot the displays.”
Getting technical
But, alongside all this crafting, we shouldn’t overlook the technical elements of these often very complex displays. The most recent of these have provided passers by with captivating lights and, even, music. Recalling how her engineer husband, Mike, first became involved Jane told me: “Mike got dragged into all the making because we needed a topper for the unusual Histon Post Office box. It’s an odd, curved shape and we needed a straight surface. So he made a wooden platform. Then someone suggested animation and music and he really got into it! We’ve had a jumping duck, a swing, a roundabout, a waving Queen, a windmill that turns and a church whose doors open and close. He even went and took photos of the Impington windmill so he could get the shape and dimensions right.”
So, there you have it – there’s plenty of scope for everyone to get involved in the fun and, if you are keen to share your skills, do get in touch with them. And lastly, any secrets to reveal on future yarn bombing projects? Sadly Jane was keeping the lid on that particular topic very tightly closed for now saying “watch this space… there is a big national event on the horizon and HI Ducks will swim into action soon”.
Sharing and caring
It would appear that the HI Fibrecrafters’ reputation for making and doing is beginning to spread. They were recently gifted a box of fabric – donated by the daughter of a lady who loved sewing because she wanted it to be widely distributed and enjoyed by many. “There were some very nice fabrics among them”, Jane revealed, “and lots of people in the group had some. The Afghan lady who came for the first time last week loves sewing but didn’t have any material, so she was delighted to choose some samples and started on a pair of pyjamas immediately. There’s still some left, so if anyone would like to take a look, please do let me know.”
Tunisian Crochet Hooks
Box of delights
Also, more unusually, Sally has recently acquired a set of Tunisian crochet hooks and is very keen to find someone out there who knows how to use them! If that’s you, please do get in touch!
That sharing and caring attitude is what the group is all about and Jane summed it up perfectly. “Crafters are friendly folk and we have a common passion, so conversation is easy. Simply put, if you fancy taking up a craft don’t be afraid to have a go!
“And if you need a push start, I’d be very happy to chat more about crafting to you.”
HI Fibrecrafters meet fortnightly. More details about the group and upcoming meetings can be found on their Facebook page or by emailing Jane on hifibrecrafters@gmail.com
