Crofters Yarn members Bronwyn Tuisaula and Shona Bovey attend the group’s weekly knitting gathering at Toitū Otago Settlers Museum yesterday. Photo: Linda Robertson In the wake of the closure of the Crofters Yarn community knitting group’s Wakari base, someone has sent a "downright nasty" and "cowardly" card in the post, saying: "Karma. Goodbye Crofters Yarn". On April 29, Crofters Yarn founder Jan Aitken had to close her doors after a complaint to the Dunedin City Council revealed that, unbeknownst to her, she had been breaking the law by selling the odd spool of wool and running knitting classes out of her home in Wakari. Now, Ms Aitken and her 200-strong community of knitters are gathering in public places such as Toitū Otago Settlers Museum, while searching for a new base to meet. However, in the wake of the temporary closure, someone has sent her a disturbing card in the post, saying "Karma. Goodbye Crofters Yarn", complete with bright yellow smiley face stickers. Crofters Yarn group member Bronwyn Tuisaula said it was a "cowardly act". "It’s so upsetting — really upsetting. "I was just shocked that somebody could do that and send that and then not put their name to it." She questioned why anyone would even bother. "We're such a lovely group of ladies. All we're trying to do is create something good for the community." The group spent a lot of time knitting hats, scarves, gloves, booties, vests and blankets for newborn babies at Queen Mary Maternity Hospital, for people receiving cancer treatment, children at kindergartens and for charities such as the Dunedin Night Shelter Trust and Women’s Refuge. A card sent to the Crofters Yarn community knitting group recently. PHOTO: SUPPLIED "All of these things, we do just out of a genuine love of knitting. We don't do it for money or anything like that. "And yet, someone sends a card like that. It's disgusting. There's no need for that." She said the irony was that the card had indeed delivered some karma of sorts. "The funny thing is that, the person that has sent that card, has caused our number of members to actually increase." After an image of the card was posted on social media, people responded with overwhelming support for Crofters Yarn. One commenter said: "That is downright nasty. I am so sorry you received that. "Please hold your head up high and know that there are so many people who support you." Others commented on the state of mind of the sender. "Unfortunately there are people like this in our world. They are so miserable and mean in themselves they cannot bear for others to be happy. "You are providing a wonderful community service. "It’s difficult to do, but just ignore it and pull up those big-girl knickers and carry on." john.lewis@odt.co.nz
