Club for spinning great yarns

Group founder and Belmont resident Gisella Kaup said the league became a form of therapy while she battled severe arthritis.

She had responded to a notice in the library and formed the group nearly nine years ago.

‘My mum did all kinds of handcrafts. I picked up a knitting book when I was pregnant and it just clicked for me,’ she said.

‘But my arthritis got bad when she (my daughter) was four months old and I didn’t pick it up again until 11 or 12 years ago,’ the 46-year-old said.

‘Then new yarns came out and I thought ‘why not?’ I started with scarves, started on a jumper then the knitting club started.’

Ms Kaup had a hip replacement and said the company of knitters had been invaluable.

‘I’ve developed close ties with several members. We help each other out, Facebook each other and if someone’s sick we’re help,’ she said. ‘We natter about things, we vent,’ she said.

Ms Kaup says each person would bring a personal project or charity to the table.

‘Some do it through the Guardian Chemist, some for Kids in Wheelchairs and there’s a person who knits African dolls and they are sent to kids in Africa.