More wool!

I've been so busy since Christmas, adding new things to the store, we've now got an even bigger range of hand dyed yarn and I'll soon be adding a few new accessories, including buttons. I love these ladybird buttons that we're about to start stocking.

I'm trying to get everything ready for two promotions that we're involved in over the next few months. First of all is the Cloth Nappy Hunt which we will be sponsoring for the first time this year, there are some great prizes on offer, and registration is now open. Then in April we're going to be taking part in the Spring Mama Spectacular on the Mama Packs forum. We're going to be offering a few new things on our stall, and there'll also be some great items for sale from other work at home mothers, so it's worth checking it out.
In the meantime, pop by NZ Wools, and have a look at the great range of yarns and knitting accessories we have available, if you're after a certain colour or weight of wool, then please ask and I'll see what I can do.

It's been a while..

Well it's been a while since my last post, since Little babe made an appearence on 23rd of April, I haven't really had much time for posting on here. She turned out to be a little girl, and we've called her Lena Jo, she's a total sweetheart, and her big brother's love her.
Although things have been quiet for the last few months, on the NZ Wools front, I've been working on quite a bit of new stuff. I have a number of new patterns in the pipeline, that are at the testing stage now. (Let me know if you'd like to test a pattern) and a few new ideas that have yet to be created. I've also got a lot of new knitting and crochet accessories to add and there will be some new yarn added soon.

Finished items!

This hasn't really got a lot to do with the store, but I've finally got some finished items to share with you. First of all is my shawl, I'm really pleased with this, and it's only taken me a month and a half, which isn't too bad really:


I'm just glad that I've done it in plenty of time for little babe's arrival, especially seeing as I have a few other things that I want to make before he or she puts in an appearance. The other thing that I've made is a little cardigan for little babe to come home from the hospital in. I've used Elan Forever Green again, which is such a lovely yarn to knit with, and I'm working on the pattern at the moment, and hopefully once tested, it will be available. If I don't run out of time that is!
I'm really pleased with the way this has come out, the buttons look a bit large, but I couldn't resist, I got them from incy wincy stitches, and I think that they are fab. Certainly perfect for something a bit special like this.



I'm not the only one finishing projects either, my test knitters have also been doing lots of hard work for me. So far the shoes have all been tested by at least one person, and they're looking great. Hoping that some of the cardigans will be finished soon too.

Patterns ready to test

I'm so busy at the moment, it's just crazy. Not only have I nearly finished the shawl, but I've also nearly finished the coming home cardigan for little babe. Good job really as I've less than seven weeks to the due date!
I've also now got three more patterns ready to test, this time it's crochet patterns, and I've made three different styles:

The "Hamish" sandal

The "Imogen" Shoe

and The "Oliver" Shoe

If you would be interested in testing any of them let me know, they are all crochet, and are available either with US or British directions.

As well as all of this knitting and crochet activity, I've been adding to the range of products on the site. We've now got a far bigger selection of knitting accessories, including stitch counters, stitch holders and cable needles. We've also now got flexible Tunisian crochet hooks, if you want to try something a bit different.

Why use 100% pure new wool?

There are many lovely acrylic yarns on the market today, and often they are cheaper and easier to wash than pure wool. So, why would anybody want to use 100% pure wool instead?

There are a number of advantages to wool, that acrylic, and other synthetic yarns just can't match.

Pure wool is a natural fibre and so it breaths, this has two advantages, it helps to keep you warmer in cold weather, and cooler in warmer weather.

Wool also wears better, and so lasts longer than acrylic yarns, it's less likely to pill and far more likely to keep it's shape than it's synthetic counterparts. Special baby items made from wool can be passed on, and used by many different babies, while still looking as good as new, while your own favourite cardigan or jumper will last longer, and look good for longer if made out of wool.

Wool is also a natural fibre, so it is less likely that people will have any allergy issues with it. Our Forever Green Élan Organic Merino in particular, is ideal as a baby yarn,being soft, natural and so is perfect next to a newborn babies sensitive skin.

This yarn will need hand washing, so if you are looking for something that is a little easier to care for, then the Merino Soft 4ply baby wool, which is machine washable, is an ideal yarn to consider. It is also very soft, and ideal for creating baby wear, or treating yourself to something special.

Many parents like to use cloth nappies for their children, as they do not like to have the chemicals found in disposable nappies next to their children's delicate skin. Wool makes a fantastic fibre to create a nappy cover or wrap from, due to it's ability to breathe, repel water, and yet absorb moisture at a microscopic level. The same fibre that can keep sheep warm and dry or cool and dry depending on the weather, is perfect for keeping your baby comfortable and dry. Our DK, aran and chunky weight wools are perfect for hand knit or crochet wraps, soakers, shorties and longies.

Being a natural fibre, it is far kinder to the environment to produce than synthetic counterparts. Combined with its other benefits, perhaps the questions should not by why use 100% pure wool, but why wouldn't you use 100% pure wool?

MORE new stock

Finally I seem to be getting all the new stock in that I've been waiting for. Lots of new neeldes and hooks arrived yesterday. I've now got 100 cm circular needles, as well as the 50 cm. (More sizes to follow later) Bamboo dpns have also arrived and some bamboo tunisian crochet hooks. I haven't actually tried tunisisan crochet (or afgan stitch) myself, but I'm going to give it a go. They are the funniest looking things though, knitting needle at one end and crochet hook at the other.



I've had an email to say that I've got lots of lovely wool on the way too, should be leaving the mill on Monday, on route to me, so it won't be long until it's here. How exciting, it will just be a case of trying to avoid using it all myself now.....