Tokoroa and Putaruru Libraries – South Waikato – Mindful Stabbing Needle-Felting Workshops (22 August 2025)

Today I went to Tokoroa and Putaruru and ran Mindful Stabbing workshops at both libraries.
In Tokoroa there were 16 participants and three librarians who joined in. We had kids come from the special education space at the local high school with their carers. We had great-grandmothers with their granddaughters and local women who came to take part. Everyone made something and took it home. The room was full of quiet focus and that soft hum that happens when people are creating together.

One of the boys from the special unit, decided to make his own version of the little penguin I had made as a sample. His penguin ended up so much cuter than mine. I will admit I was a bit jealous, but mostly proud. Mine was sweet but his had real charm. It had that special spark that comes straight from the heart.

After that I drove up to Putaruru and ran another workshop there. We had 15 participants and one librarian. Several homeschooling families came along as well as a group from what looked like a residential care home, I think it was called Baffles House. They brought some of their residents to join in. We also had local women who seemed to be retired, maybe even one in her nineties. The age range went from six year olds through to people in their late seventies and beyond.

Both spaces were alive with connection. Generations, abilities and backgrounds mixed together while everyone stabbed mindfully and created something uniquely theirs.

Support provided by
South Waikato District Council
Creative Communities NZ