What is Alpine Yarns?
Alpine Yarns is an eco-friendly knitting business based in the MacKenzie High Country, in the heart of New Zealand’s southern alps.
The company provides knitted accessories that are 100% made with sustainable and ethically sourced wool. This includes beanies, headbands, mug cozies and cowls. Alpine Yarns is also a proud supporting brand of Protect Our Winters NZ ( https://protectourwinters.nz/)
I believe in using sustainable natural fibers to help keep you cozy and comfortable on your next outdoor adventure, whether you are out hiking in the mountains, grabbing coffee with your mates or hanging out at your favourite apres-ski location.
Everything is handmade with a lot of love and care with high quality yarns.
Why I do what I do
My core values for my business, as well as in life, are authenticity, sustainability, creativity and freedom.
The freedom I get from being my own boss not only allows me to run my business how I envision it, it also means I can set my own hours and carve out more time to do the things I love. In my case, it’s spending time outside in the mountains with the people I care about.
I also have the freedom to build a business that is both creative and sustainable. I believe in movements such as B Corporations, that use a motto such as “using business to do good”. This is why I love handmade products so much; they challenge our current throw-away culture and push us to rethink how we live our lives and spend our purchasing power. It also ensure that my customers are receiving unique products of quality that they are proud to wear.
Alpine Yarns is committed to making business decisions that have a positive impact on our environment and our local community. This includes using sustainable natural fibers such as wool, partnering up with liked minded suppliers and using eco-friendly packaging for distribution.
Finally, by producing sustainable handmade products, I am ensuring that my customers are receiving unique accessories of high quality that they are proud to wear and can take on their adventures.
Meet the Maker
I’m Kate, founder and owner of Alpine Yarns.
I am a Canadian born in Europe, now living in New Zealand (It’s complicated, I know!). As someone who has always loved the outdoors and has a previous career working as a guide, moving to New Zealand wasn’t very hard.
My partner Chris & I (and our dog Ripley) live in the MacKenzie High Country, just outside of Twizel. We have a beautiful section surrounded by mountains where we are currently building a log cabin.
Both Chris and I used to work corporate jobs in the city, earning the “big bucks”. However, we both realized pretty early in the game that none of it made us happy. Today our goal is live as simply and self sufficiently as possible. We aim to grown our own food, live off grid and have financial freedom by working for ourselves. For me this includes crafting an eco-friendly business, such as Alpine Yarns, exactly how I envision it.
My mother taught me to knit when I was young. However, 3 years ago is when it turned into a real passion as I rediscovered the enjoyment of it. After the Covid-19 pandemic started in early 2020, I decided to turn my hobby into a business and Alpine Yarns was born!
Today I take pride in hand crafting quality knitted products, using sustainably sourced wool. My creations are a beautiful blend of traditional High Country wear with a modern flair for the outdoor adventurer.
