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