Making life better with good yarns
In a world that moves quickly, it can be hard to find a moment to catch your breath. Making something with your hands is one of the few reliable ways to get one back.
Woolly Heaven is a knitting and crochet shop in the heart of Taupō, and an online store for everyone who cannot get to us. Think of it as an oasis for fibre crafts: somewhere to come in, take your time, and leave with something you are looking forward to starting.
Who I am
I am Leyette. A retired primary school principal, a company director, a craftswoman, Paul's wife of 45 years, mother of three and grandmother to one.
I have been a knitter all my life. I made my first jumper for high school in the fourth form and never stopped, picking up spinning, crochet, dressmaking and quilting along the way. When we travel I always have a project on the go and another in the bag in case I finish it. My hands do not like to be still.
Cables, intarsia, lace, entrelac, fair isle, socks, gloves, blankets, baby garments and very large men's jumpers. You name it, I have knitted it. Almost.
It was born, honestly, out of my own selfish desire to have high quality yarns and patterns available to me. I like to touch and feel wool. I have bought wool online and been disappointed more than once when the colour or the feel did not match what I expected. So the idea was simple: a shop where you can put your hands on the good stuff before you buy it, and an online store stocked with the same yarn for the days you cannot get in.
What we stock
Everything here is chosen rather than accumulated.
Sandnes Garn
The Norwegian yarn knitters in the know have been waiting for, and one that only a handful of shops in this country stock. Seventeen ranges, more than three hundred shades.
PetiteKnit
The patterns made to go with the Sandnes yarn.
Burnt Hill Yarns
From Wanaka, with the Lisa F patterns alongside them.
Gazzal
Beautiful yarn at a gentler price.
Hoooked amigurumi kits
For anyone who would rather make a small creature than a jumper.
Patterns, needles and notions
Hundreds of patterns, more than a hundred and thirty of them for babies alone, along with needles, hooks and the bits and pieces that make a project work.
Who it is for
Locals
Knitters and crocheters, whatever your age, gender or skill level.
Weekend visitors
Down for a few days and needing a project for the drive home.
Travellers
People who would rather take home something they made in New Zealand than something they bought.
Buying for a knitter
Tell us what they make and we will help you choose.
Classes, clubs and knit and natter
Being a teacher does not really wear off. Helping the next crop of knitters get their craft right is squarely in my wheelhouse, so there will be classes and clubs for every level, from a first dishcloth to colourwork, cables, socks and amigurumi. There will be knitting for blokes, with guest tutors. There will be knit and natter, because half the point of a wool shop is the company.
If you want to learn something that is not on the list, ask. If I do not know it, I will find a tutor who does.
Come and see us
Knitting calms you, centres you, and hands you something real at the end of it, which is usually when you start the next one. That is worth sharing.
The hope is that Woolly Heaven becomes the destination wool store, and the natural choice for a great yarn. Come on in and be encouraged.