Touch Yarns

In a charming white cottage on Sunderland Street in Clyde, a wonderland of wool awaits behind a bright red door. Touch Yarns is a family-owned business that has flourished for over three decades and across three generations. 

Every ball of yarn you see on the shelves here is made from wool sourced locally and spun at mills in New Zealand. Pick up a skein and it’s soon clear where the name of the business came from, as each touch is met with a luxurious sensation of fine merino, fluffy mohair, luscious alpaca and impossibly soft possum fur. After Touch Yarns’ own dyer retired, Glenn took it upon himself to learn the craft of hand-dyeing the fibres, resulting in a delicious and diverse colour palette of bubblegum pinks, cobalt blues, zesty tangerines, as well as softer neutrals. 

In amongst the yarn, you’ll find endless patterns and samples tucked into the shelves and hanging from racks. Kylie is the creative force behind the designs, an avid knitter who cleverly creates everything from the sweet baby bonnets, booties and teddy bears to mohair vests and chunky cardigans that everyone wants in their wardrobe. There’s something for every ability and the patterns can be purchased alongside the wool, making it easy to get started right away. Touch Yarns provides a friendly and non-intimidating environment for complete beginners, while still sparking excitement and inspiration for those who have been knitting and purling for years. The main room is purely for yarn addicts, but if that’s not you, there are two other rooms filled with NZ-made homeware and gifts to explore.

The team here are deeply passionate about what they do, genuinely interested in their customers’ projects and always willing to share helpful tips and tricks. As the slow fashion movement brings knitting and crocheting back into the spotlight, this one-of-a-kind store is a reminder of why so many people find joy and meditation in hand-crafting woolly goods (once you push through the dropped stitches and frustrated curses, mind you). And for those who can’t visit in person, the online shop ensures everyone can get their Touch Yarns fix.