Noro's Haunui Story

What is Haunui?

On the rolling green foothills of South Island, New Zealand there is a small family owned and operated sheep farm called Taranui. It's been in the Gardner family for several generations and the chief shepherd, Harriet Gardner, calls it home.

Since 1982, Harriet Gardner and her beautiful flock of sheep have produced a highly sought-after wool of the highest caliber with their special black, brown and grey animals. The merino wool from these happy sheep is used to make exquisite Italian suits and high-end fabric for furnishing luxurious super yachts. And now thanks to Noro and the amazing Haunui yarn, we can enjoy this stunning fiber at home!

Taranui's unique flock is a fusion of New Zealand Halfbred and Fine Romney stock, bred for generations to ensure the very highest quality. Each fleece is meticulously checked, tracked and graded to ensure the best selection of quality and color. And most importantly, the sheep are never mulesed. 

From New Zealand, the fleece is exported to Japan and in the loving hands of Noro's experienced staff it is carded and spun. With great respect for the natural qualities of the wool, and per Noro's exacting standards, the fleece is never over processed. 

What can I knit with Haunui? 

This is the really exciting part! Of course you can knit anything that requires a medium-bulky gauge in 100% wool. We think hats and scarves and cowls would be amazing and we offer a large assortment of designs by Jenny Noto of Wanded 527 that would be fabulous paired with Haunui. All of her designs come with instructions for multiple weights of yarn, and the detail she puts into every pattern assures you will be successful in completing it - even if the stitches look unfamiliar. So if you're searching for a completely stunning toque, beanie or cowl, be sure to check out her designs, and shop the Haunui yarn here!

Introducing the Hakea Sweater

Knit in Haunui, a natural fiber that is not dyed, but minimally processed as it comes from the sheep, this beautiful sweater shows off the texture of the Hakea pattern beautifully.

Beginning with a split garter and rib hem that's slightly longer in the back, the knitting changes to a block-stitch pattern interrupted by a band of arrow stitches around around the body and sleeves.

With a twist on the classic, this sweater is sophisticated, fun to knit and will be worn and treasured for years to come. When we speak of "knitting an heirloom", this is the kind of sweater we are thinking of!

Introducing the Brioni Sweater

 

A warm cozy sweater in Haunui... now that would be positively luxurious, and we've found another stunning one! 

The sweater is called Brioni and it is a bottom up sweater knit in the round with two shades of Haunui in lovely colorwork across the shoulders. And remember, the fibers are not dyed, these are as they come from the sheep! A looping garland-like motif really takes this sweater to another level. And the deep rib at the hem and cuffs only add to its unique luxury.

Transport yourself to Taranui

Watch the video below for a taste of where this fiber is grown. Be sure to turn up your volume for the sound of these precious animals. For a few moments you'll be transported to New Zealand and the beautiful Taranui farm!