Where to Buy Wool NZ

New Zealand wool is a natural, renewable fibre that offers many benefits. It is a durable and breathable material which is ideal for home insulation, carpeting and clothing.

But like most agricultural commodities, New Zealand’s wool industry has been weakened by years of low prices and competition from synthetic alternatives. Its growers are calling for a single voice to promote their fiber abroad.

Merino

Merino buy wool NZ is a premium natural fibre produced by merino sheep that graze the highlands of New Zealand and Australia. It is incredibly fine and soft, making it ideal for producing fabrics that are both breathable, moisture-wicking and suitable for all seasons.

It is also known for being temperature regulating and odour resistant, meaning it is perfect for active outdoor use. It absorbs your body’s moisture vapour and wicks it away from your skin, keeping you dry and odour-free for longer.

This unique fabric is easy to care for and machine washable, so it will stay looking great and feeling even better for years. This is the kind of yarn that you’ll want to reach for time and time again!

Wool is also biodegradable, which means it decomposes back into the soil, releasing valuable nutrients. This makes it completely renewable, which is a big plus!

Lambswool

Lambswool is a fine, soft wool that comes from sheep at their first shearing. It’s produced from a variety of sheep breeds, including Shetland, Gotland, and many others.

It’s a popular fiber for clothing and accessories because it offers warmth, breathability, and moisture-wicking properties. It’s also hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites.

In New Zealand, lambswool is used in a variety of ways, from outer garments to home items like carpets and bedding. It’s a natural insulator, which makes it great for keeping warm in cold weather.

The fiber can be easily spun into yarn and is durable enough for clothing or home use. In addition, it’s easy to care for and won’t pill.

In partnership with South Wairarapa business Palliser Ridge, a group of 26 second year industrial design students at Auckland University of Technology developed a paper on the use of strong wool in design. This paper explores value chains for strong wool, with a focus on sustainable and ethical sourcing.

Silk

Silk is an extremely versatile natural fibre that can be used for a variety of garments. It is a highly absorbent material that is also breathable and insulating.

It can be dyed to a range of colours and is soft, strong, and durable. It can also be woven into beautiful and lustrous fabrics.

The process of silk production is very energy and water intensive. It involves boiling water to cook cocoons, temperature control in silkworm rearing facilities, transportation, dying and processing.

As silk is a natural product it has a relatively low environmental impact, but there are still some environmental issues that need to be addressed. One of those is eutrophication, which occurs when harmful algae grow in and around waterways.

Another issue is the sewage pollution caused by sheep feces, which can pollute waterways and contribute to a build-up of bacteria and other toxins in the environment. However, there are some new ways of producing silk that reduce the environmental footprint.

Cashmere

Cashmere is a rare, ultra-premium fibre that’s used in luxury clothing and accessories. It’s incredibly soft and warm for its weight. It’s also a beautiful material to wear.

New Zealand farmers are hoping to resurrect the dormant cashmere industry by breeding goats for their fine wool. Southern Otago farmer David Shaw and his wife Robyn have launched a new premium enterprise called New Zealand Cashmere.

They aim to supply 25,000 goats to the market. This will provide five to 10 tonnes of fibre per year.

The programme is led by New Zealand Cashmere and backed by the government via the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund.

A three-year programme aims to revive the cashmere industry. The project is being driven by New Zealand Cashmere and partnered with yarn engineering firm Woolyarns.

Leave a Reply