Remembering Noro-san

Sad news last month: Eisku Noro, founder and genius behind the Noro brand passed. I've adored Noro yarns for years. It's my weakness, go-to "get out of my slump" yarn and what I grab when I need some pleasurable knitting. And yes....I'm known to decoratively place baskets of Noro on my shelves at home. What can I say....I'm a Noro Nut. 

Sion Elalouf, the founder of KFI, Noro's US partner and distributor penned the loveliest tribute to his long-time friend and business collaborator. His heartfelt tribute is so beautiful I wanted others to read. Brought tears hearing of his respect and honor for this yarn genius. 

Godspeed Noro-san! And thank you....

September 2, 2022

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Eisaku Noro, creator and founder of Noro Yarns.   Our collaboration with Noro Yarns started in 1981, after a visit to a local yarn shop in Osaka, Japan. Standing out among the many classic yarns of Japanese and European origin was a yarn that was truly magical in appearance. Returning the following year to Japan, we were able to meet the man responsible for such beauty, Noro-san, as he was affectionately called. Tall, regal, with a sense of humor and full of passion, here was a true artist who painted with fibers to create yarns unlike any on the market at the time. Through these past forty years, as our business grew, so did our friendship. Today, Noro Yarns are distributed worldwide.   With regard to quality or artistic expression, Noro-san did not compromise. This was reflected in all he did, from the unique, eco-friendly and painstaking production methods, to the thoughtful selection of fibers from farms where animal stock is treated humanely. Noro’s vision for creating yarns was that they should inspire joy while remaining true to their natural heritage.   Noro-san was a modest man. He lived simply and was almost embarrassed by his growing fame. He took great joy in meeting shop owners and Noro yarn lovers, seeing their displays and projects, always so grateful and appreciative of their continued loyalty to his brand.   Although we are deeply saddened by his passing, we are confident that his life, his work and his immense contribution to our world of yarn will light the way for years to come. We are comforted in the knowledge that Takuo Noro, Noro-san's talented son, who worked side-by-side with his dad for the past twenty-five years,  learned the business from the ground up. Running the business these last few years, Takuo is responsible for creating some of the most beautiful and successful Noro yarns ever, such as Ito, Akari, Kakigori, Tsubame, etc. Clearly, the apple did not fall far from the tree!                                                                              “I’m now making yarn with the same feelings and thoughts as my father, and it is also the same with our staff and crafts persons at Noro who are involved in the yarn-making process," said Takuo Noro. On behalf of my father, I would like to express my gratitude to the many fans who always support us." As we say good bye to our dear friend Eisaku Noro, the strong ties we’ve developed over these past forty years will continue to grow as we look to his son and successor, Takuo Noro, to continue on this creative path making evermore unique and magical yarns for another forty years!    Good Bye Noro-san, my dear friend! I will miss you! Founder & CEO Knitting Fever INC.