Frequent readers of this blog will remember the scarf that I recently made from a pattern in Mel Clark's new book "Knitting Everyday Finery." I knit it in a possum merino yarn in a beautiful kumara/sweet potato/persimmon/rust color ahead of the book signing we held for Mel at Struan Farm.
I have worn this scarf everywhere this winter. John tried to lay claim to it early on, but once it became clear that he wasn't wearing it, I seized the day and the scarf.
I'd purchased the yarn at Nelson's artisan co-op, Fibre Spectrum. So on my recent trip I stopped in to show them the scarf and look at other colors available in the yarn. I restrained myself entirely until the lady at the front desk told me that the mill in Timaru that produced the yarn would not be making it any longer. (I'd thought the yarn was handspun, which isn't the case.)
As you might expect, this news pushed me over the cliff, but I'm glad she told me. I came home with purple, burgundy and blue for the stash, enough of the blue for a sweater for sure. I'm still second guessing myself on whether I should have gotten more in other colors!
The other part of this story is that there is a growing shortage of possum fiber available on the local market. This despite the fact that possums continue to be terrible pests, causing serious damage to native birds and bush. China is taking as much of the fiber NZ can ship. So this means local mills and yarn companies can't assure supply.
You might think I'm trying to justify my hoarding--and you could very well be right!
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