Crofters Yarn founder Jan Aitken said it was an ‘‘emotional rollercoaster’’ when she was forced to close the club’s Edgar St, Wakari, studio in April, but the silver lining was the ordeal had raised the club’s profile so much that membership had more than tripled.
Members were barred from using the studio at Ms Aitken’s home after someone complained to the Dunedin City Council about a commercial business operating out of a residential property.
It alleged Ms Aitken was breaking the law because she was selling the odd spool of wool and running knitting classes out of her home, without council consent.
As a result, the Crofters Yarn club was forced to gather in public places such as Toitū Otago Settlers’ Museum and Arthur Street School, while searching for a new base.
The situation was made even more stressful and upsetting when people started sending disparaging messages, including a disturbing card in the post saying ‘‘karma. Goodbye Crofters Yarn’’.
‘‘The whole situation has been an emotional rollercoaster,’’ she said.
‘‘There were moments when I questioned everything.
‘‘There were sleepless nights, plenty of tears and days where I simply didn’t know what the future looked like.
‘‘But one thing became crystal clear — I have never been on this journey alone.’’
As well as overwhelming support from the community, two staff members at Otago surveying company Terramark helped her complete the resource consent application to the DCC.
‘‘Today, my heart is overflowing with gratitude,’’ she said.
‘‘They [Terramark] picked it up and they helped navigate me through the whole resource consent process.
‘‘Their support has just been a game changer for a little community group.
‘‘It means the absolute world to us.
‘‘There simply aren’t enough words to thank Terramark.’’
Ms Aitken said members were allowed to gather at her house up to five days a week, and because the school and museum gatherings were so popular, they would continue.
‘‘I’m stoked. I’m absolutely humbled by the fact that just about every aspect of our knitting community has come together and given us support in one way or another.
‘‘The gatherings have just become so popular, and you get different people coming to each of the different venues.’’
She would never forget the community’s generosity, professionalism or the belief that Crofters Yarn was worth fighting for.
