(Updated Nov 2015)
When I returned to New Zealand after 18 years of living overseas, I could not understand why, in a country famous for its sheep, there weren’t more New Zealand yarns on offer. I’d go into a yarn store, and find… Australian wool. Or wool from an undisclosed origin, imported from manufacturers in the UK, Italy, the US and elsewhere.
But once I started to scratch the surface, I found them, a few in yarn stores, but mostly tucked away in the rural corners of New Zealand, available on the internet if you looked hard enough, appearing in local farmers’ markets, craft shows and regional fairs that one might be lucky to come across. Or at the farm gate. Nowadays (several years after I first wrote this post), you can increasingly find New Zealand yarns in discerning yarn stores, and I have updated this post to reflect that.
Each of these little businesses are family run affairs, employing maybe a few others, all pulling together to create their marvellous products. It amazes me how these people have survived despite our small population. I guess it really is a labour of love.
Think about it: a population of just over four million – that’s one city in most major countries. But spread over a land mass that is actually a bit larger than the UK. Somehow, almost without an international audience, and in some cases, not even a website, these people are doing it. The ones who have managed to attract the attention of the discerning international market are hitting well above their weight.
I think it’s great how as a knitter, I’ve been able to personally meet so many of these people and hear their stories. They fill me with optimism about the strength of small.
This is an entry mostly based on my experience – it is not comprehensive, and I have concentrated on showcasing interesting ‘yarnie’ experiences, and the more significant yarn ‘outlets’ that are committed to commercial production of yarns but that are not selling through yarn stores, rounded out with what else you can get here in good yarn stores. I have not fully addressed the very small businesses – the small alpaca producers (most of the larger alpaca studs are in the South Island), home spinners and indie dyers, but have attempted to point you in the general direction of where you might find them, such as farmers’ markets, craft markets and exhibitions.
Starting at the top then, in the land of beach and sun:
North of Auckland & Bay of Islands – this area is an artisan haven. Of the crafty things I have seen up there, most seem to be of the non-knitty kind. It’s amazing, but just not knitty. However, not all is lost.
The area around Warkworth to Leigh is a treasure trove. Matakana, a village in between Warkworth and Leigh, is a little haven of artisan delight. Well worth a quick look – go on the weekend (I think Saturday), when the craft markets are on. There’s also the Matakana Country Park, which hosts a gallery of craft by local and regional artisans and a regular Saturday market at which you can find yarn if you are lucky. Unfortunately, I went when the market wasn’t on but was sufficiently excited by what I saw to especially mention this region. In this same area is Robyn Egge Yarns (15 Elizabeth St, Warkworth, T: 09 425 7246).
If you are up that way, you should also drive the few minutes to the village of Leigh to visit the marine sanctuary there (Goat Island). The fish swim right up to the rocks around the shore, and it is possible to stand on the rocks and see fairly large specimens swimming by. I am an idiot and was sufficiently mesmerised by the scenery not to remember to take photographs until after the event. Doh.
On both the northern and southern end of the motorway around Auckland, is Mohair Craft. I’ve been to the Dairy Flat outlet. It’s on State Highway 1, at the service centre that you need to stop at to pay for your road toll to go north. You can’t miss it. They have a nice selection of well-priced mohair and other fibre goodness.
If you are visiting Auckland, I understand that the yarn scene there has improved in recent years. Stores that sell a nice range of New Zealand yarns – Wild and Woolly Yarns (10 Victoria Road, Devonport, Tel: 09 445 3255). One of the larger yarn stores is Masco’s, which is in the Westfield Shopping Centre at the bottom of Queen St, in Auckland’s central business district. I haven’t been to Masco’s, so I don’t know what it’s like, but I hear it does stock some New Zealand yarn. Also in the CBD is New Zealand Fabrics and Yarn (Shop 28, Queens Arcade, 34 Queen St, Auckland Central. T: (09) 379-2415) open 10 am – 5 pm Monday – Saturday which appears to stock a very big range of New Zealand yarns. Knitnstitch is located 80 Taupaki Road, Taupaki – near Westgate and only 20 minutes from Downtown Auckland (non rush-hour). Open 10am to 5pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Email deborah@knitnstitch.co.nz or phone 810 9069 if you would like to visit at other times.
Down the road past Auckland now we’ll go to the coastal Bay of Plenty area.
Tauranga. The city itself has a number of yarn shops. Probably the best one here is the Tauranga Knitting Centre (11th Ave, 11th Ave Plaza. T: (07) 571 8892). Not open on Sunday. A small shop, it is crammed to the rafters with yarn. They have Touch Yarns and Naturally, amongst many others.
You may also want to pay a visit to the Kaimai Woolshed on your way over the Kaimai Ranges to Hamilton.
Up a short driveway, its new owners have revamped the store, ensuring that it’s stocked with quality New Zealand products, including knitting yarn and fibre. I got some rather lovely handspun alpaca there.
There is also a nice café on the premises, serving good coffee and yummy food, so a good place to stop for a quick cuppa while travelling.
The McLarens Falls Park is also just up the road – a lovely place to stop and visit for a walk among the trees. There’s also an animal park within it that the kids can have fun at (and a few breeds of sheep to examine, for the fanatics like me).
On to Rotorua, you’ll want to visit the Agrodome which hosts all manner of exciting activities suitable for everyone (singles, mum, dad and the kids). There’s a very cool sheep exhibition and show. The kids get to bottle feed a lamb if it’s that time of year. The shop stocks a reasonable choice of yarn, although I’m not overly impressed with what I’ve seen on the website (it’s been a while since I visited the centre). There are other yarns out there that are just as good but better value. But the experience is well worth a visit.
Formerly in Tauranga, Creative Outlet is now based in Rotorua. In addition to stocking a range of New Zealand and imported yarn, the owner hand-dyes a range of her own yarn in very pretty colours.
Click here for more samplings of her yarn.
In the Hawke’s Bay, one of NZ’s main wine and fruit-growing regions, you cannot leave Napier without visiting Skeinz, the factory shop of Design Spun, one of the three major spinning mills in New Zealand (5 Husheer Place, Onekawa, Napier. T: +64-6-843 3174). Make sure you bring an extra bag – here you can find the Elan Forever Green organic range, a good variety of Design Spun’s own line of 4 ply (baby) merino, 8 ply (DK) wool yarn, mohair (12 ply) and mill ends of the brands that they spin for (at the time of visiting, I saw Jamie Possum, Shepherd and Naturally yarn). I went back twice in one day…
Going down through Taupo and the Tongariro National Park (do stop and go for a walk if you have time – it is spectacular ‘high country’) you come to Taihape, Gumboot City. A few minutes down the road is The Wool Company.
A large barn store clearly marked, you can’t miss it as you travel down State Highway 1 towards Wellington. In particular, I recommend you avail yourself of some of their yummy possum merino yarn.
If you can fit it in, I highly recommend a visit Anna Gratton’s Little Wool Co in Feilding. You do need to call in advance to make sure Anna Gratton will be there as she travels often. Anna has a sheep’s back to shop floor operation, and she farms the sheep whose wool she then spins into yarn in the onsite mill. I don’t think anyone else in the North Island has a range as large as hers – unless you count the large brands that sell through stores.
I’ve posted more about her yarns here and here.
Once in Wellington you must visit Holland Road Yarn Company. Upstairs, Grand Arcade, 16 Willis St, Wellington CBD, Hours: 11am – 3pm Mon; 10am – 5pm Tues – Fri; 10am – 4pm Sat; Closed Sun / Mon.
You could also pay a visit to Knit World now moved to a new street front location on 185 Willis St, Wellington. Open 10am – 5pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Saturday.
Since I wrote this post, I have also written a more comprehensive post about finding knitting yarn in Wellington here. Do have a quick look at it if you are visiting Wellington – there are quite a few other places I have not mentioned in this post.
There is also a craft market (Wellington Underground market) that happens on the city waterfront in the Frank Kitts car park, every Saturday, from 10am to 4pm. Twice a year there is a focus on wool (Wonders of Wool, usually in May and August), which is well-attended by the local yarn scene, but on a normal week, you won’t find much yarn there. It’s worth a visit from the perspective of New Zealand craft though.
Happy visiting!
My post about South Island yarn is here.
Other reference points that you might find useful:
Dunkleys Great NZ Craft Show (This is a nationwide craft show that travels around different cities in New Zealand, featuring local and national artisans who exhibit their goods for sale – yarn, clothing, food, cosmetics, jewellery, etc. Check this link for dates in the areas you might be interested in).
International Fibre Sources and Shops (this website is not completely up to date. A number of the stores mentioned in this directory have since moved or changed name, but it is worth noting the details and phoning in advance to make sure they are still there).
Those in the know will also find Ravelry (in particular, the Kiwi Crafting group thread Recommendations for Travellers) particularly informative on this topic. You do need to be a member to view this site.
Kiwiyarns Knits 
This sounds like a great road trip!
May I link to this in the Ravelry group New Zealand Knitwear? We have a similar thread going and this would be a great addition!
Absolutely, of course you may! I’d be delighted. 🙂
Thank you for such an amazing tour of New Zealand through the eyes of a fiber person! I do a little work for Yarnsisters/Zealana which distributes for Wool Yarns– some of the incredible possum blends you commented on. I’ll be sure to pass on this link to anyone looking for a comprehensive tour of the country.
Thank you for your very kind comments. I’m just happy to pass on my knowledge. 🙂 Zealana is a great addition to New Zealand’s wool inventory. I’m so grateful that both Yarnsisters and Wool Yarns have taken it on to create this quality offering.