Haunui is pronounced Hoo-noo-ee and translated as “place of the winds“. Mr. Noro was enchanted by this unique mixed-breed Haunui stock from the Taranui farm in New Zealand, a fusion of New Zealand Halfbred and Fine Romney stock, line-bred for generations to ensure the very highest quality.

The sheep are raised ethically, never mulesed, and have their fleeces gently harvested with a layer of protection left behind. This undyed yarn combines the natural colours and texture of the fleece harvested - see some of the sheep above! No two sheep are exactly the same color, but their fleece fall into colour categories, and are blended to create rich heathered shades.

Haunui carries a micron count of 22-24, comparable to Merino wool, with a slight thick and thin quality to the single ply evoking handspun yarn. True wool lovers will cherish this limited-edition, slightly rustic, natural hued yarn.

We have collected our favourite patterns designed specifically for Noro Haunui, including those shown above, here on Ravelry. As an aran/heavy-worsted, it is also versatile to substitute for or use together with other Noro yarns of a similar gauge; use it with a Noro Kureyon colourwork yoke in the Gridlove pullover pictured above, or try knitting a soothing neutral Haunui version of one of the bright patterns for Noro Viola!

Content: 100% wool
Weight: 200 grams / 7 oz
Length: 400 meters / 437 yards
Gauge: 14-16 stitches per 4"/10cm
Suggested Needle Size: 4.5-5.0mm / US 7-8
Care: Hand wash cool, air dry flat

Located in the rolling green foothills of South Island, New Zealand, Taranui is a small family owned and operated sheep farm owned by several generations of the Gardner family. "Our family history makes this farm a lot more special. It is not just about lamb and wool, it's home," says chief shepherd Harriet Gardner. "I have a real passion for the product we create," she adds.  

Since 1982, the family has been producing the highly sought-after wool of the highest calibre by carefully breeding a special flock of sheep featuring only natural coloured animals, mostly black, brown and grey. While their merino wool is used to make exquisite Italian suits and high-end fabric for furnishing luxurious super yachts, their unique flock of HAUNUI is bred for fibre enthusiasts the world over. Animal welfare is of chief importance here. The sheep are never mulesed. "We are of the understanding that in order to preserve these coloured sheep, their wool has to be something to be loved and enjoyed," adds Gardner. 

From New Zealand, the fleece is exported to NORO, in Japan, where it is lovingly carded and spun. With great respect for the wool's natural qualities and as per Noro's exacting standards, fleece is never over processed.  According to Noro, "Natural fibres have great features that humans can not mimic. I want to leave these features as much as possible in my yarns. These natural states are intentionally left by using human hands and old machinery so that natural fibres are not over processed. All of this is so knitters can feel nature more closely when knitting with Noro yarns."