New longer skirt ...

I've been working away on a longer skirt pattern.  After six (!!!) prototypes I've finally got it to what I had in mind.  The first ones will be available at Underground market the week after next - Saturday 8 March.  I'm off to Auckland on Thursday for a few days so won't be at the market this Saturday.  Hopefully we'll also get the new skirts up on the website next week as well.  

Here's a sneak peek ... longer, asymmetric hem, snap wrap of course, pockets!

Katydid skirt

Tutorial - how to make a merino scarf ...

A number of people have asked how I make our merino cowl and deluxe cowl scarves. Here's a somewhat tongue in cheek guide...

Step 1 - find a merino sheep.  In New Zealand they are usually in the mountains in the South and they can look like this:

Shrek the famous merino sheep

Mountains near Queenstown, NZ - the cold is what makes the sheep's wool so warm for us.

Step 2 - you may want another colour for your scarf. You could approach your local hairdresser about getting a new colour for the sheep.  Then you need to shear your sheep, spin the wool and knit it into a piece of fabric.  It should now look like this:

Step 3 - cut your cowl out of fabric - one metre for a cowl scarf, two metres for a deluxe cowl.  (US readers - a metre is 3 inches longer than a yard.)  If you cut more than one it may look like this:

Minnie + Ree's cutting table

Step 4 - sew up your scarf.  While sewing it should look like this:

Step 5 - wear your scarf.  It should look like these:

Easier just to buy one?  Click here!

Napier

Today we drove to Napier to restock Minnie + Ree at the Department.  It was a tough job! Luckily there is a cafe for hungry Smiths in Ahuriri so we went straight there:

And a nice full rack of clothing again!  The address is the Department of Curiosities and Fine Things, 14 Hastings Street, Napier.  If you are hungry again after all that work, there are nice Gluten Free cakes and coffee across the road at the Vegetarian cafe!