Every so often you come across something that could only have come from one place. Possum merino is one of those things. You won't find it in Milan or New York, because the story behind it is entirely, unmistakably a New Zealand one.
An unlikely history
The brushtail possum isn't native to New Zealand. It was brought across from Australia in the 1800s in the hope of building a fur trade, and it settled in rather too well. With no natural predators here and plenty to eat, possums spread the length of the country, and today they're considered one of New Zealand's most troublesome pests. It's a curious twist of fate. In Australia the possum is a protected native, while here it's very much the opposite.
That history is the reason the fibre exists at all. The fur used in possum merino comes from wild animals as part of ongoing pest control, not from any farm. There are no possum farms in New Zealand. It's a genuinely local material, gathered here and made into something worth keeping.
Warmth without the weight
The fibre itself is remarkable, and for a good reason. Each strand of possum fur is hollow, a rarity in the natural world that it shares with very few animals, the polar bear among them. Those tiny pockets of air trap warmth beautifully, which is why possum fur is so warm for something so light.
On its own it would be too delicate to knit, so it's spun together with merino, and often a little silk. Merino brings its softness, its gentle stretch and its easy-wearing structure. Possum brings warmth, lightness and a natural resistance to pilling that keeps a piece looking good for years. Together they make a yarn that's warmer than merino alone, lighter than ordinary wool, and quietly luxurious to wear.
Made by hands we know
A fibre this particular deserves makers who understand it, and New Zealand happens to be full of them. We work with a handful of trusted names, among them McDonald, Noble Wilde, Untouched World, Merinomink and Manawatu, each with their own long experience of turning this fibre into something lovely. Wherever we can, we choose local makers who know possum merino inside out, because it shows in the finished piece.
Genuinely ours
Put it all together, the wild fibre, the merino, the makers and the knowledge, and you have something you simply can't get anywhere else. A Merinomink Possum Merino Throw or a possum merino baby blanket isn't just warm and long-lasting. It's a small piece of New Zealand, made to be used, loved and handed on.
Not bad for a fibre with such humble beginnings.
