Oh dear!

Well time just seems to have run away from me lately, and it's months and months since my last post here.  Mind you it's been a while since I've had anything to really post about.  I've been busy with quite a bit of custom dying, and I've been busy on a few new patterns, but until now they've been a long way from being ready to be released.  Until now that is, my latest pattern is now live and ready to down load:

My T-bar baby shoes, a crochet pattern available in both US and British terms, is now on NZ Wools.  I've got a few more in the pipeline too, so watch this space........

Another new pattern!

The new patterns are coming thick and fast at the moment, with two more in the testing process and two more about to be. I'd like to say that I'm writing things this quickly, but many of these are patterns that I've been working on for some time, and are now just about ready to release. The latest is another baby hat and mitts set.


Like the barley twist hat and mitts set, these are knit in the round. Suitable for any 4ply or 5ply yarn, these are great in our merino soft baby wool or forever green elan organic merino. If you buy the yarn from us, then the patterns are free. All patterns and yarns are available on our site http://www.nzwools.co.uk

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.

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?