Since I know a few people who love knitting lace, I went searching for a non machine washable 2ply yarn during breaks today. I found laceweight yarns available through Aussie shops, but all were pretty expensive. To count, it had to be of a comparable price to Knitpicks.
Eventually I gave up on Aussie shops and went through my bookmarked New Zealand ones. I figured it was more important to find a laceweight of comparable price to KP than to just find one made or available in Australia.
And that’s when I rediscovered Anna Gratton Ltd. Her ’boutique mill and farm’ produce “a unique selection of quality craft fibres and knitting and weaving yarns”, including a 2ply at a price that beats KP, both in coloured (14 shades) and undyed versions.
I have no idea if the quality is comparable, but if anyone gives it a try let me know what you think.
Bookmarked!
They sound gorgeous. But no pictures of the actual yarns, and they charge for shade cards. I think I would prefer to see pictures of the yarn before I ordered. (Or have a shade card, but one of the points you were making about Knitpicks is that they charge for shade cards – they at least have pics on their website that show a whole skein).
Yep, they charge NZ$1 per card. While it would be better if they were free, it’s a lot cheaper than US1.99 per card. Still, you’re right that they should show images of the yarn. Even if they did but with a disclaimer about colours not being accurate on monitors, it would be better than no images at all.
I’m intending to visit New Zealand next year, and I’ll try hard to include this place in the tour.
Holy **** that’s cheap. I might order some just to see!