Yarn /jɑː(r)n/: may be defined as a long, continuous length of interlocked fibres which are suitable for use in the production of textiles, sewing, crochet, knitting, weaving, embroidery and rope-making.
Working with yarn has enriched my life for many years and recently, mastering the madness that is knitting traditional cuff down socks using 4 x DPN has served as a gentle distraction from an increasingly harried world.
Its meditation and pursuit has also led to my joining several local NSW/ACT based craft groups and meeting other kindred spirits — many of whom I am proud to now call friends.
Social media has also offered a glimpse into the different creative cultures around the world who are producing beautiful and at times, spectacularly different handcrafts. This, coupled with the advent of websites such as Ravelry and Etsy and the return of country fairs and fetes, handcrafts have returned to centre-stage and I couldn’t be more delighted that EVERYTHING OLD IS NEW AGAIN!
THE YARN CRAFT TOURS CONCEPT
Following on from my interest in this gentle handcraft hobby, pre-covid I commenced incorporating visits to some of my favourite Kiwi yarn stores and specialist suppliers into lunchtime stops on my Gourmet Journey’s food and wine tours.
What took me completely by surprise, was the level of engagement by tour guests at these stops. Frequently, we had to rearrange other elements on the day because of their popularity, which eventually led to the lightbulb moment where the concept for delicious YARN & FIBRE based stand-alone tours was born.
YARN CRAFT TOUR JOURNEYS WEAVE TOGETHER THE VERY BEST OF NEW ZEALAND’S GLORIOUS YARNS DELICIOUS FOOD & INCREDIBLE WINES
Gather your hooks, needles and passports at the ready for the next deliciously squishy
road-trip featuring the talented makers and artisans of the spectacular South Island of New Zealand | Aotearoa
Commences in Queenstown, NZ on Thursday, 22 October, 2026
(Bookings open Monday 29 September, 2025)
Indulge your love of craft with fellow travellers who understand and share your creativity and interests on this unique creative fibre retreat across the Tasman
A sampler of some of the delicious inclusions and squishy activities
🧶 9 days/8 nights including all breakfasts, 3 lunches + 4 dinners
🧶 Comfortable 4* hotel accommodation (incl porterage) + professional tour driver and coach
🧶 2 nights in the renowned alpine resort village of Queenstown
🧶 2 nights in creative Dunedin, overnight in LOTR Rohan (Methven!) and 3 nights in Christchurch
🧶 Welcome Dinner at the deliciously stylish Botswana Butchery restaurant
🧶 Exclusive Central Otago wine tasting followed by a shared platter luncheon
🧶 Hosted Creative Fibre NZ visit to a Coloured Sheep farmlet on the Taieri Plains and/or Starcrest Farm
🧶 Pre-tour KAL/CAL #WIP (Bosoms or Brains)
🧶 Fabric & Textile tour of the historic Olveston House followed by a charming High Tea
🧶 Extended visit including a natural dyes/mordanting demonstration at the extraordinary TOTE Textile Emporium co-op in Oamaru
🧶 Tour of the Ashford factory led by an Ashford family member
🧶 Various workshops hosted by The Christchurch Guild of Weavers & Spinners, Broomfields & Co and Embroider with Bee #WIP
🧶 A privately hosted long-table luncheon (incl wines) in the gardens of a stunning historic sheep & beef farm homestead
🧶 An exclusive pop-up market featuring 3 local indie dyers, their beautiful yarns & notions #WIP
🧶 Stops along the way at several delightfully squishy Kiwi fibrecraft stores including the fabulous TOUCH YARNS in Clyde
🧶 A visit to Linda Chinnery’s gorgeous Handwoven Designs Gallery in the wee hamlet of Lawrence
🧶 All prices quoted in AUD | Australian dollars
FORCE MAJEURE: There MAY be unforeseen disruption/s to featured tour experiences due to the sudden implementation of a local COVID-19 restriction. Should this type of thing occur, our tour guests will need to be flexible and to “go with the flow” during this unprecedented health pandemic — your health & safety are our primary concern. For full Force Majeure details please refer to the T&C page on this website.
NOTE: At this time, and to the best of our knowledge, the itinerary as outlined on the flyer is confirmed.
To register an expression of interest for this or future roadtrips, please contact us via the button below
Initially, it is our intention to offer yarn craft based journeys and retreats liberally sprinkled with sensational dining experiences and wines, exclusively to New Zealand. However, ideas and a curiosity for crafts beyond these shores is very definitely percolating…exciting times ahead - watch this space.
