The pair were planning on heading to a two-day fibre festival to sell their in-house yarn, but were told by U.S. customs that they didn't have a work visa; Their pictures were taken, each woman was fingerprinted and they were refused entry into the U.S.

The group has been working on the project to mark Remembrance Day for about five months, using donated yarn.

Like knitting and crocheting, spinning — the process of twisting fibers together to make yarn — is going through a revival.