Many strands to fibre arts
Fibre arts - sounds a bit hi-falutin’, but for most people it’s exactly the opposite.
The warm fuzzy comfort of knitted woollen garments can’t be beaten. The skill is one that mothers and grandmothers pass on from generation to generation. In early Māori society weavers were highly regarded for the practicality and tradability of their goods. During World War II, women hand-knitted socks for the troops.
Working with plant and animal materials to make fibres is a skill as old as time and the applications are many and varied. Christchurch City Libraries has a huge range of resources for those with an interest in fibre arts. In some countries palm fibres are used to reinforce concrete, but before anyone tries to knit you a beach house, take a look at some of the resources Christchurch City Libraries has to offer.
 From cuddly toys to Domiknitrix
There are nearly 400 titles on knitting at Christchurch City Libraries with titles as creative as the patterns within.
With nearly 300 pattern books, you’ll be able to knit cuddly toys of all shapes and sizes, but if you need new inspiration the popular Domiknitrix book can make you an accomplished knitter. With tips, techniques, and things to avoid, it’s a must read.
Weaving art and lives together
Christchurch City Council Māori arts adviser Paula Rigby is a skilled weaver who creates items from natural fibres of harakeke or flax, feathers, and modern synthetic fibres. She shares her knowledge of the role of the weaver in traditional Māori society, takes us through the process of making a korowai or cloak, and tells how stories and families are woven together in garments often made by many hands.
 Pūawaitanga o te Ringa - Fruits of our busy hands
This is the name given to the series of tukutuku panels that were specially woven as a community project for the new Ngā Pounamu Māori Centre which was created as a result of the 2001 - 02 refurbishment of the Central Library.
The booklet was compiled by Rhonda Thomson and Patricia Wallace, with photographs and additional material from staff at Christchurch Waterways, Christchurch City Libraries and members of Ngā Puna Waihanga. Read this booklet as a .pdf
Family Maths director visits Christchurch City Libraries
Director of the Family Maths Trust Len Cooper is running courses for parents, families and teachers at South and Upper Riccarton Libraries’ Learning Centres this week. Family Maths courses introduce parents and teachers to enjoyable, practical maths activities that enhance and maintain mathematical skills learnt in the classroom. See our events listing for more details or to make a booking.
Craft shows in Christchurch
Lovecraft and Craft 2.0 are contemporary craft shows happening in Christchurch in August and September. They feature one off or limited edition works by local craftspeople. Craft 2.0 happens at Our City on August 23 and follows a highly successful event at the Dowse Gallery in Lower Hutt. Lovecraft is the new name for Craftwerk which has run shows around the city for several years. Lovecraft celebrates local handmade craft makers, designers, artists and independent music and will be held at the High Street Project on September 14.
Gems in the gateway
The Internet Gateway lists thousands of sites and this week we thought we’d pull out a wee gem. Stringpage.com is a fibre arts website by Sarah Goslee and it has some amazing techniques including Tablet (card) Weaving, Loom Weaving, Sprang, Braiding, Ply-split Braiding, Knots, Naalbinding, Lucet, Spinning, Dyeing and Felt Balls.
We recommend: Fibre Arts resources
Our online resources:
Our Internet Gateway recommends:
Knitting has a large and lively presence on the internet ranging from commercial sites to a lively blog community. Some selected sites to start your exploration:
- Knitting Wikipedia entry takes you through a broad overview of knitting terms and techniques and lists some useful sites for learners.
- KnittingHelp.com Good example of a knitting website with online videos demonstrating various techniques, also a range of free patterns and a knitters forum.
- ukhandknitting.com British knitting website.
- Aussie and NZ Knitblogs Lists “knitblogs” you might like to explore.
- Domiknitrix - knitting website by author Jennifer Stafford
- Etsy Knitting - Etsy is an American based craft website where you can buy and sell hand-crafted items. The knitting section is a great source of inspiration.
- Vogue knitting - previews the contents of the Vogue Knitting magazine. Also includes free patterns and how-to information.
- Stringpage
Browse the resources in our libraries:
This week in Christchurch history
What interesting things happened in Christchurch this week? Find out with the help of the Christchurch Chronology on the library website.
- July 26, 1879 Canterbury Rugby Football Association (New Zealand’s first) formed.
- July 26, 1924 Open air classrooms in use at Fendalton Primary School.
- July 27, 1851 Storm wrecks 6 ships in Lyttelton Harbour.
- July 27, 1893 Woolston becomes a Borough.
- July 28, 1964 Rolleston Avenue trees cut down by City Council, at the request of Christ’s College Board. Intense public protest follows.
- July 28, 1986 Grenadier Hotel demolished in Oxford Terrace. Formerly The Royal, it was the third hotel on this site since 1851.
- July 30, 1867 "Great Canterbury snowstorm" begins. Although no accurate records are available, this may have been heavier than the record 1945 fall. Over 500,000 sheep and cattle died in Canterbury and Otago.
- July 30, 1911 Over 40,000 people brave wet, cold weather to attend the funeral of Mayor T. E. Taylor (whose 6 weeks in office is the shortest on record).
- July 30, 1921 Canterbury becomes the first New Zealand provincial rugby team to defeat the Springboks.
- July 30, 1976 7 Canterbury men in gold medal winning hockey team at the Montreal Olympics.
- July 31, 1856 By Royal Charter, Christchurch becomes New Zealand’s first city.
 What’s new online?
New on the blog
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Next week: The Olympics
Every four years the achievements, triumphs and drama at the Summer Olympics fill our media and capture our hearts and minds as athletes from every corner of the world meet and compete. Join us in the starting blocks for next week’s Olympic edition. |
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Spinning