Great Southern Yarn, Aleashia and Jarrad Kircher | Fiberchats, Episode: 271

My name is Aleashia, and I am an Environmental Scientist with a passion for knittingand indie-dyed yarns. As you may have heard, stewardship of Great Southern Yarn (GSY) passed to my husband Jarrad and I from Jennifer and Andrew in early 2023 due to illness in the family. I have followed and used GSY since they were established 5 years ago. I love the single-origin, ethically produced yarn, brand, logo,and colour ways that have been curated by Andrew and his team over the 5 years.We also own and operate a boutique yarn shop in Wyong called the Grumpy Ginger Yarn Co. where we specialisein selling high end hand-dyed yarns.After many, many months of blood, sweat and tears (mostly tears when it comes to dealing with customs...), in August 2023we finally received our first run of brand new Mt Bodangora Merino.We are very proud of our firstnew production range to be named Mt Bodangora Merino, after the beautiful Mt Bodangora Farm in Wellington, NSW where our SRS Merino Fleece is sourced. The Mt Bodangora Merino is a 100% SRS Merino yarn, which is non-mulesed, non-super washed, and cruelty free and sustainable.Our wool is sourced directly from single origin sources, under ethical agreements with the farmer directly. Our suppliers are selected based on their quality of product as well as their treatment of the animals and sustainability practices.Our raw fleeces are then exported to New Zealand for scouring at the Canterbury Wool Scours in Timaru, and then after scouring sent to Design Spun Mills in Napier.Peter Chatterton has collectively owned and run the Design Spun Mill in Napier, New Zealand since the mid 1980’s. The product that Peter and his team produces is second to none, with the Worsted Milling Process producing soft, smooth and consistent yarn of various ply’s, twists and thread counts.The fibre is then sent to Kirchelly Textilesas naked yarn in large one kilogram, three kilometre long cones.In the coming months we will also be adding an 80% Merino : 20% Nylon blend, as well as reviving previous 60% Merino : 40% Alpaca Blends, and single spun Merino. These lines will be offered in 4, 5 and 8 Ply.

[@valeriehowden471]

What a wonderful story of teamwork. I ❤️ their logo.

[@christinevalentine3373]

I love your products. Great ethics and I really appreciate your passion. I’m so grateful for your interest in producing a quality natural mulesing free yarn. Information like this goes a long way to helping people to make conscious choices when buying fibre. Thank you to Irina for your passion. Thank you also, for sharing your talent and your beautiful work. Many thanks also to the GSY team!

[@Fiberchats]

I found this conversation very educational

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

Good music, dividing the tasks and knowing your roles : Many secrets for harmony in coworker couples !!! To be remebered !!! Thanks for the pictures at the end. 💐

[@Fiberchats]

You could feel the love

[@AnnieDaddo]

Thanks Irina,Aleashia & Jarrad for a wonderful ,important interview not only highlighting hard work and commitment to excellence but so to, of thinking about the care of the source- our amazing Aussie sheep and their prized wool! 👏👏👏🙏🐨🌏xxx

[@Fiberchats]

I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@patmorgan8692]

That was a wonderful story to great teamwork and a love for what you're doing. Loved the photos at the end...such glorious colors!

[@marianneknapp4846]

Great Guests Thanks Irina 💕😊

[@Fiberchats]

Thank you! I’ve learned so much from this conversation

[@marianneknapp4846]

@@Fiberchats the Vegan in me Loves the Great changes in our world 🌎💕😊🕊️

[@GreatSouthernYarn]

Thanks for having us. We really enjoyed the process and it was lovely to finally meet you after my wife had told me so much about you.

[@Fiberchats]

Thank you Jarrad! It was a pleasure!

[@marianneknapp4846]

I thought I was doing well the knitting correct the pattern correct on a no mirrored patterns beading incorrect 60 rows great learning curve ❤

[@crochetroad]

Fantastic interview Irina, Aleashia & Jarrad! Now I’ve learnt a lot about you, your four 😳 companies, & how they all work together. Super inspiring and I can’t wait to try some of your incredible 12-17 micron SRS non superwash merino 😍😍. That’s as fine as cashmere, yet an Australian product. Hats off to you for taking on GSY, & the other brands you have too. What a heritage you are creating for future generations💗

[@Fiberchats]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@janetjroberson2581]

Hello from Swansea, Illinois. Wonderful interview!

[@Fiberchats]

Thank you! ❤️

[@lyntorckler1640]

That was an amazing interview, thankyou, Ive used GSY before, love it , time to use it again

[@Fiberchats]

Glad you enjoyed it!