The experienced craftswoman, who has a lifetime of projects behind her, has now turned her hand to making korowai — finely woven Maori cloaks. Ms McAlpine is now working on two large korowai herself, one using balls of string she bleached to look like muka (flax fibre). Ms McAlpine has always been "crafty", revelling in sewing, knitting and crochet projects throughout her lifetime. She came to korowai weaving through a course she did about 18 months ago, and then did another course with respected weaver Robin Hill, of Taieri, after that. Each row is a completion, an accomplishment.’’An added bonus was the physical benefits of weaving, Ms McAlpine said.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 29, 2017 16:07 UTC