Choose Wool

“My father was a wool buyer, we grew up on a farm with sheep, we wore homespun jerseys and even had wool wallpaper!” she tells Verve as we caught up with her shortly after she opened her new Christchurch store. “We were never cold if we were wearing wool.” 

How did your shop originate? 

For the last 17 years I’ve had an online presence and a small, cramped space at our wool buying business at Yaldhurst, Christchurch. It was about time we showcased our products in a lovely setting. We wanted it to tick many boxes when it came to sustainability, so our little space has wool insulation, wood flooring, Abodo wood walls and exterior, and the trees used for landscaping are all grown in the wool pot. It sits perfectly besides Yaldhurst Wools at 30 Coast Road, Christchurch, not far from the airport.

Can you tell us about the wool products you stock, and any favourites? 

We have a beautiful range of 100% wool throws in a huge variety of colours. The bedding blankets are stunning in all sorts of neutral and bright colours, too. The woollen fair isle jerseys, blanket coats and scarves are popular and what I’m wearing this winter. The woollen caskets are available on request at all funeral homes. Our website has a lot to choose from.

Can you share some fascinating facts about wool that most people may not be aware of?

Research shows that when sleeping under a woollen blanket your body temperature is better regulated so you have a much more comfortable and deeper sleep. Wool is biodegradable so it can return to the soil, where in a few weeks it decomposes and releases valuable nutrients into the ground, unlike synthetics which take several years to break down.

Do you have any heartwarming stories of customers who have found joy and comfort through your wool products?

I have many. Our natural legacy wool caskets have three fleeces of NZ wool in each casket and give families huge comfort at a time of immense grief. When families and friends see the

casket they naturally want to stroke it. They are such a comforting alternative to a traditional casket.

People suffering from insomnia have had great results from sleeping under our woollen blankets and the New Zealand flying doctor service uses our blankets on board for transporting patients, so comforting are they.

Tell us more about the delightful Wool Pot? 

The Wool Pot is a collaboration with fellow wool lover Nadia Lim. It eliminates the use of plastic in our gardens. You can grow plants from seed in them and then plant directly into the ground. Not only does it give the plants added nutrients from the wool as it biodegrades, but it eliminates transplant shock. They are amazing!