New home for knitters banned from library over noise and danger fears - Update

A knitting group "evicted" from a library after being told they were noisy and their needles were "dangerous" have found a new home. The Knit 'n' Natter group met at Cramlington library in Northumberland once a week to knit replica anatomical parts for trainee midwives.

Northumberland County Council said the group was too large for the library. But now it has been offered a free room at nearby Manor Walks shopping centre by Cramlington Town Council. Member Margaret Derrick had feared the group, which began three years ago, would have to split up. She said all the publicity had helped secure a new meeting place.



Ms Derrick said members had been told their needles posed a safety risk. Over the years the women have knitted thousands of garments for premature and sick babies. They have also made 1,500 pairs of knitted breasts and are currently knitting wombs for midwives.

Ms Derrick said: "We have gone viral and our story was in lots of newspapers - we even got interviewed by a radio station in New Zealand."She added: "We started at the library because the council asked us. As we got bigger, the council was delighted. Unfortunately, they've now got a new building and there is no room for us and it is 'bye bye'."

There's a news video here.