The Llama fibre is a big focus for me as I am a spinner and
weaver. Over the years I have built up a reputation as a source
of exotic fibres, plus advice, for craftspeople wanting to spin,
knit, weave or felt. Most of my products are sold from the cottage,
(which houses my shop and display area) here on the farm
I enjoy handling the raw fleeces, so sorting them is not too much
of a chore. After a fleece has been sorted, I send it away to be
machine carded. It comes back beautifully washed, carded,
and ready to spin. Weighing, packaging and arranging the fibre on
the shelves is very satisfying.

I try to stock as many natural colours as possible
eg Black, dark brown, ginger brown, cocoa brown,
fawn, cream, white, plus Guanaco –light fawn and tan.

Gotland fleeces are available, but quantities tend to be limited
as the bulk of these are sent overseas. But I still need to keep some
fleeces aside for the shop, so inquiries are welcome. Prices average
$25/kg

Quantities: usually 500-600 grams of fibre is sufficient to spin yarn
for an adult’s garment, but this can vary with the fineness of the
handspun yarn. Fine yarn goes further than thick. If in doubt, order
more than you think you might need.

Prices: Fibre prices range from $13.90/100 grams, to $15.50/100
grams. The finer the fibre, the most expensive it is.

Knitting yarn:

The yarn is commercially spun,(somewhere between a
4-ply and a double- knit weight) from my Llama fibre, and is
available in a two-tone(“Stipple”)twist which has proved very versatile
and looks very effective. A mid-brown is also available in more limited
quantities. “Stipple” has also been overdyed, in colours of “Tamarillo”
and “Jade”, and shades in between. I also stock Gotland knitting yarn
in a silver-grey, from my flock of Gotland Pelt sheep. This yarn also
is available in overdyed shades of “Buddleia” (purple) “Sea Green”
and “Turquoise”.

Prices: Llama yarn $18.20/100grams. Overdyed - $23.20
Gotland yarn - $15.50/100 grams; Overdyed $20.00.

Mail Order: To order, simply email or write to me, stating whether you
are interested in fibre, yarn, or both, and I will send you a sample card/s.
Each card is worth $5.00 – half of this is deducted on receipt
of your order, giving you up to $2.50- $5.00 free postage.
I accept Visa, Mastercard or cheques.

Contact: Janette Buckingham
Waikawa Valley, R.D.1 Tokanui, Southland
Ph 0064 3 2468 499 Fax 0064 3 2468 775
thickthorne@xtra.co.nz

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Handcrafts and “The Valley Beyond”


“Thickthorne Llamas” has a team of knitters, spinners and a
dressmaker. These talented people, some of them are
Southlanders, some from Otago, help me keep my shop stocked
with Peruvian caps, knitted and felted hats, gloves, scarves, jerseys
and jackets.
And some are involved with making garments for our clothing label
“The Valley Beyond” These exclusive garments have their own
separate room in the Cottage. “The Valley Beyond” was the
inspiration of our third daughter, Louise.
Mail order also applies to these garments. Send me your measurements
to enable me to check the sizing of a particular garment you may be
interested in.


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