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.

Cheryl Attenborough

Cheryl learnt to crochet and knit at her grandmother's feet, but it has not been until a trip past the Spindle Tree that she has looked to develop her skills further. Cheryl has recently begun to explore the effects that can be created from dyeing wools and cottons. A popular garment that Cheryl works with is the moebius wrap and she regularly stocks the shop with this item. Her work can also be found in summer tops, hats, childrens and adult garments.

Judy Blackburn

Judy has been a knitter for almost as long as she can remember, being taught how to knit at school and by her mother. She soon discovered that there were many more complex techniques in books and enjoys trying out something new and adding her own twist to it. During pregnancy, she enrolled in a spinning and weaving evening class. This was where her fibre addiction started. Since then it is very rare that there will be less than six projects of some description on the go at the same time.

Judy has recently been exploring the dying of fibre and yarn. This has proved to be a very satisfying experience as she combines colours to create a kaleidoscope of colour. Judy's work is drawn from her personal experiences the colours around her to create individual items.

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

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.

Gaye Schupp

Gaye works with handspun alpaca and wool creating jumpers, ski bands and cushion covers in natural colours. Her love of knitting started at the age of seven, patiently instructed by her grandmother Peggy. Over the years Gaye has mostly knitted for family and friends. Since retiring in 2001 and learning to spin she has been able to fully indulge in her craft.

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.

Catherine Templeman

 Marie Woolley