| The best merino wool comes from Australia and | | | | garment' operation run from her mill in the |
| New Zealand, so it's no wonder that two | | | | countryside on the north island of New |
| leading producers and exponents of yarn come | | | | Zealand. She has farmed a flock of both stud |
| from New Zealand. Both Margaret Stove | | | | white and naturally colored Corriedales since |
| (Margaret Stove Yarn) and Anna Gratton | | | | 1976. They produce sound, long fiber, which |
| (Filaro Yarn) have international reputations | | | | is spun in her worsted spinning mill. The |
| firmly based on the quality of the yarn they | | | | silky fleece produced is in the 27 - 30 |
| produce and the quality of their workmanship. | | | | micron range. But Anna is much more than a |
| | | | producer of wool, she is also internationally |
| Margaret Stove has been spinning for over 25 | | | | known as an artist in knitwear who travels |
| years and is renowned for her fine ability to | | | | the world giving master classes in knitting |
| spin superfine fleece. She has published two | | | | and design. |
| books 'Handspinning, Dyeing and Working with | | | | |
| Merino and Superfine Wools in New Zealand' | | | | Anna sells her yarn under the Filaro Yarn |
| and 'Artisan Lace'. But her reputation is | | | | label and you can buy her yarn either by |
| based on much more than writing books about | | | | visiting her mill, by mail order or on the |
| spinning and making lace; she is renowned as | | | | internet. There are many colors to choose |
| a knitter, teacher and designer. Her work is | | | | from - the natural wool colors are perhaps |
| an inspiration to other lace workers and her | | | | the most beautiful. The yarns are all dyed at |
| work is found in many galleries and private | | | | her mill. As well as pure wool, she offers |
| collections throughout the world. | | | | many blends such as merino/mohair, wool/rayon |
| | | | and mohair/wool/nylon. The Sparkle Mohair |
| As well as using superfine merino wool to | | | | collection is a popular choice from Fialro |
| produce lace work, Margaret also owns her own | | | | Yarn. Filaro "Sparkle Mohair" is a |
| label of beautiful superfine merino wool, | | | | wonderfully soft brushed mohair boucle with a |
| called 'Artisan'. You can not only buy her | | | | strand of lurex glitter that shimmers and |
| hand dyed wool, you can also buy her | | | | glimmers but without any scratchiness. It is |
| excellent kits and patterns to help you | | | | made in New Zealand from 47% mohair, 35% |
| create wonderful lace designs. | | | | wool, 14% acrylic and 4% nylon. There is a |
| | | | much wider selection of beautiful yarn |
| Another fellow countrywoman is Anna Gratton. | | | | available from Filaro Yarn; it's well worth |
| Anna's is a 'sheep's back to finished | | | | taking a look at the complete inventory. |