The Spindle Tree

Our Members

Susan Allford

Sue has been involved with handcrafts and sewing as long as she can remember. Gaining early experience when she attained the Tech school dressmaking and drafting Certificate in 1965 her fingers have been busy ever since. Sue's work ranges across sewing, smocking, pottery, jewellery making and her specialty is wool embroidery. Her wool embroidery embellishes baby blankets, glasses cases, hot water bottle covers and bridge table clothes. She also makes cards depicting hats with feathers and jewels as well as gift cards made with shells and seeds. Sue has recently taken on the task of teaching wool embroidery to others and is finding this an enjoyable and rewarding experience to see skills being developed by others.

Jennifer Bridges

Jennifer has been a member of the Spindle Tree for seven years. She began knitting froma an early age. She carries her current project with her at all times so that when possible she can do a few more rows.

She is also an accomplished spinner having taken this up as an extension of her knitting and crocheting.

Twelve years ago she purchased a Passap electronic knitting machine and this has provided her with another outline for her creativity. She is well know for her cardigans and neckwarmers.

Other areas of interest are counted cross stitch and beading. The recent purchase of a small loom has Jennifer off exploring the art of weaving.

Margie Bryce

Knits, knits and knits. She has a wide range of patterns but will happily knit to order if you bring a pattern to her.

Polly Firth

Polly resides on acreage just outside the city limits of central Hobart. She makes native Tasmanian animals and birds using wool from her flock which she spins and dyes to the colours required. Polly gathers much of her inspiration directly from the animals and birds that visit her property.

Christine Glanville

Anne How

George Humphrey

Jill Johnson

Heather Karpiniec

Jill Maeer

Dolores O'Neill

Dolores specialises in heirloom lace knitting, creating intricate lace garments, Shetland lace shawls and scarves, wraps and throws. Dolores' garments are created using fine natural fibres, often hand spun and hand dyed.

Her work has received many awards in Royal Shows and exhibitions Australia–wide, including Master Knitter and Crafts Grand Champion. Much of her work is one of a kind using both traditional patterns and her own original designs.

The Spindle Tree has provided an outlet for her work and provides her with the opportunity to continue exploring the use of fine natural fibres.

Ailsa Richard

Ailsa joined the Spindle Tree during its first year of operation and has found her time as a member both enjoyable and instructive. Her main area of interests are dyeing both wool and silk, felt making and knitting. Ailsa finds ways to bring these interests together to create striking individual garments. Examples of her work is found in the felt glass cases, children and adult garments and felted hats, soaps and knitted scarves. The shop benefits from Ailsa's eye for colour as she brings together the ever changing shop display ensuring not only a changing colour scheme but also a fair display of members work.

Raie Semmens

Raie became a member of the Spindle Tree in 1998 after a lifetime interest in knitting. During the 1970's she learnt to hand spin wool. This allowed her to explore the tactile nature of the natural fibres such as wool, mohair and alpaca. Raie enjoys combining colours together to create an individual garment. She specialises in handknitted garments for children and adults.

Over the years Raie has developed a range of cards based on sheep. Happy Baathday and Thinking of Ewe are two of these.

 Marie Woolley