Spotlight on New Noro: Haunui and Madara

Noro Haunui

Here's another hot new item. Again my lovely rep said: "Kim you HAVE to get in the queue for this super special yarn!" And I did! Glad I listen and obey because it truly is special and scrumptious! 

Recently Mr. Noro discovered a unique farm in remote New Zealand's South Island, breeding an amazing breed of natural colored sheep that exists no where else.  Genetics dictate a small number of sheep are born with "black" (actually shades of brown to grey) fleece. White wool fleece dyes well and darker doesn't, so farmers traditionally breed for lightest fleece. The story of Haunui (Hoo-noo-ee) breed began when a young English woman, Fiona Gardner married a New Zealander sheep farmer years ago. 

Early on she took a shine to the few black sheep, culled away from the main herd on their own paddock. These became family pets and in 1984 Fiona and her husband started a breeding program with their five pet halfbred ewes (50/50 mix Merino and fine Romney). Over the years the flock grew, thrived and became it's own unique breed called Haunui. This name came from a farm adjacent to Taranui, their third-generation Gardner family farm. 

Eventually the Gardners purchased the adjacent Haunui farm for this new breed of sheep and today the sheep are still shorn in the original farm woolshed. Approval was sought and gained from Maori offiicals to christen this new, unqiuely New Zealand breed Haunui, now a trademarked breed. The name derives from the distinctive winds, winter and summer that are ideal for sheep breeding: long, hot summers and cold, fairly snowless winters. 

Today the Gardner's flock numbers about 2280 sheep. All from those first 5 fledgling black sheep. Over the years they've genetically encouraged color development, rather than just breed for darkest blacks. As a result the flock is gorgeously diverse with this beautiful range from deep chocolate brown to light creamy grey. It's 100% traceable, never mulesed and raised in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable for a flock to roam. Usually the Gardner's supply the Italian garment industry with their unique fleece for high-end suiting fabrics. 

From New Zealand the fleece is shipped to Noro in Japan, where it's lovingly carded and spun, according to the exacting standards established by Mr. Noro years ago  His company's mission has always been to highest levels of organic, natural processes - long before it was vogue to be "organic" - with as little mechanical processing as possible. Mr. Noro describes his vision:

From ancient times Japanese have accepted, enjoyed , and been charmed by the non-unimormity, unevenness, & coarseness of nature. This is the basis of the philosophy of Noro yarn. Natural fibers have great features that humans can not mimic. I want to leave these features as much as possible in my yarns.

If I make wool yarn, I use various lengths and thicknesses of wool fibers to try and reproduce the nature of sheep itself in our yarn: such as unevenness and coarseness.These natural states are intentionally left by using human hands and old machinery so that natural fibers are not over processed. 

All of this is so knitters can feel nature more closely when knitting with Noro yarns. Impurities in the raw materials are carefully removed by hand without the use of chemical treatment which is not good for the fibers or the environment. We also aim to reporduce the colors of nature in our yarns.

All animal fibers used are from only certified organic farms, notably Australia, Falkland Islands, South Africa and now New Zealand. Mr. Noro  personally oversees all aspects of production, from visiting the famrs, checking machinery used, keeping restrictions on the dye processes in order to maintain the highest eco-friendly qualities possible. He explains, 

Friction, rubbing and heat during processing weaken the fibers in direct proportion to the length of time they are processed. By dramatically shortening this process, we are preventing damage to the enzymes in the fibers and simultaneously profiting the 

A few year go they even started their own flock in Japan for select yarns bases in order to be as natural and organic as possible, with special wells so every aspect of production from conception to yarn was traceable, organic and as natural as possible. 

Noro yarns are noted for a wide range of brilliant, rich, uniquely, blended colorways seen in no other yarns on the market. Occasionally a more neutral color or line would appear but the introduction of Haunui is the first non-dyed, all natural yarns. It's also one of the softest wools and it's beautiful range of browns harmonize perfectly with many of the charcteristically colorful Noro yarns. 

Our covetedshop sample, Brioni arrived last week and it's gorgeous! Despite it's size S I squeezed myself into it and it fit! It was a chilly day and this was a perfect sweater to wear. Who knew yoked sweaters were so flattering too! Granted.....I rarely use photos of myself but including here to show you all just how much I love this pullover! Pattern in Noro Magazine #19 

I was surprised that even over a flannel shirt this sweater was comfortable and not too tight. If I block it (they don't block before shipping to us) then it'd be even more roomy in the arms (I have "generous" arms-thanks to my Grandmother Monahan). I don't wear crew necks but this pattern will be an exception. It is such a soft wool I could wear over a light tshirt or camisole and the wool would feel good against my skin. Now if we'd just get the cold weather needed for this sweater I'd be happy! 

Hakea is one color, boxy pullover with interesting stitch patterns. Also find pattern in Noro Magagzine #19. All our Noro Magazines listed in our online shop in case you're wanting a back issue. 

Binge Watch This: Brokenwood Mysteries (Acorn  TV) One of my favorite tv mystery series. Set in New Zealand so perfect thing to watch while knitting with this amazing yarn! 

Madara 

Unlike Haunui....Madara is an explosion of vibrant, rich color in a subtly speckled tweed. Considered a heavy worsted-aran weight, it's a blend of 60% wool, 30% silk 10% alpaca, which yeilds a sturdy yet with a softer touch than other Noro yarns. The subtle speckled look is perfect for garments alone or paired with other Noro's (think Viola, Ito or Akari) for rich multicolored items. 

The Sia pullover (left) is a very easy knit, boxy pullover with a subtle pattern and takes 5-7 hanks. It shows off the tweedy colors perfectly and we have a shop sample! The Veronika Cowl (right)is another easy knit for a useful cowl/capelet and needs only 2 hanks. 

Fillbert (abovge) is a lovely shawl with 4 hanks.  It could easily be enlarged to make a baby blanket or lap blanket. All three patterns available in the  Noro Magazine #19 or as single patterns from our shop. 

Binge Watch This:  Murder in Provence (just added to BritBox). Based on popular mystery series by ML Longworth. We've stocked this series before and have most recently publised copies in stock. Oddly #2-6 we can't get anymore for some strange reason. Check out the tv series-completley filled in Aix-en-Provence and it's wonderful! Great actors and gorgeous scenery and lots of food and wine bistro scenes!