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A Statement by Jamie Possum
Until further notice, Jamie Possum is unable to supply Possum Hand Knitting Yarn. While we have some stock remaining, quantities are fast diminishing and some colours have already been withdrawn altogether. As a result, when ordering, we urge customers to ensure that they provide themselves with sufficient yarn to complete their project.
Over the next few months, while feed stocks remain, we will continue to supply Possum Paints, both ‘off the shelf’ and as ‘special order’.
Supplies of all our other products remain completely unaffected. We continue to supply the best range of Possum Knitwear in Europe, the entire Denise Knitting and Crochet Needle Range and the recently launched Daisy Possum “Gems from the Ring of Fire” and Daisy Hogan Jewellery Range.
Why are we no longer able to supply Possum Hand Knitting Yarn?
It is very difficult to spin possum, and as a result the number of mills in New Zealand (and the expertise to do so is all in New Zealand) capable of supplying finished possum yarn has always been small. Their clients (Jamie Possum included) consist of companies in the rapidly expanding possum knitwear market and the still fledgling possum hand knitting yarn market.
Just before the turn of the year, the mill supplying our hand knitting yarn went into liquidation as a result of financial difficulties arising from both the general economic downturn and particular problems among its clients connected with the Christchurch earthquakes. Its small economic base simply became unsustainable. To those of us who have worked so hard to bring possum hand knitting yarn to new knitters, this was a devastating blow. We not only mourn the loss of a key facility, we fear for the long term loss of the skills which made it so valuable.
The supply of possum knitwear continues to be secure as it is made elsewhere in New Zealand. Knitwear is a much larger market, rapidly growing in popularity and has ensured the future of this production source.
Will Possum Hand Knitting Yarn become available again?
This is hard to say! It has disappeared before and been revived. By us! In 2006, Jamie Possum reintroduced possum hand knitting yarn after it had been absent from sale for almost five years. The original supplier had ceased to manufacture it when the market for its primary product, Merino Lambswool, collapsed due to cheaper Chinese exports.
Our customers are aware that we are committed to supporting possum yarn, for ecological reasons as much as any other. Be assured that if we can reintroduce a hand knitting range, then we will. We will keep you informed of any changes.
