Quick Answer for NZ Knitters

Yes — you can knit PetiteKnit patterns in New Zealand without hunting down hard-to-import yarns.
The best substitutes are NZ-made or NZ-available yarns that match the metreage, fibre blend, gauge, and drape of the originals — not just the label or ply name.
We’ve personally tested dozens of options, and local yarns like Outlaw Rebel often give the closest (and sometimes better) results for worsted-weight designs.

Now… here’s the deeper guide.

Your Guide to PetiteKnit Patterns in NZ (and How to Choose the Right Yarn Without the Stress)

If you’ve dipped a toe into the world of PetiteKnit (or are a complete convert), you’ll know the feeling.
You see a stunning design, your brain lights up, and before you know it you’re imagining colours, fibres, Sunday afternoons, and maybe a slightly unrealistic timeline for finishing it.

And then you hit the part every New Zealand knitter bumps into:

“Okay… but which yarn am I meant to use?”

PetiteKnit patterns are beautiful, but many of the recommended yarns aren’t available here.

And while we make some of the best yarn in the world, matching something “close enough” doesn’t always give the look or feel the pattern intends.

That’s why we’ve spent the last few months quietly working through PetiteKnit designs and figuring out which NZ-available yarns behave most like the originals. Not guesses. Not quick swaps. Actual tested combinations that give the finished project the right structure, drape, and personality.

We won’t share our entire in-house substitution sheet (it’s large, slightly chaotic, and very loved), but we will show you how we make these decisions — and give you one tested example you can use right now.

Why NZ Knitters Often Need Different Yarn Options for PetiteKnit Patterns

PetiteKnit designs often use:

• fibres we don’t spin commonly here,

• weights we label differently,

• blends that behave uniquely,

• or strands held together in combinations unfamiliar in NZ.

None of this is a problem — it just means knitters in Aotearoa need a small translation layer.

And before we translate a single thing, we start with one guiding principle:

We go local first. Always.

New Zealand has an extraordinary yarn industry, from indie dyers to long-established mills, and we want our substitutions to support those makers whenever possible.

So our process looks like this:

1. Local yarns first (NZ spun, NZ grown where possible)

2. National brands available across Aotearoa

3. Indie and boutique dyers already supplying the NZ market

4. Then international brands that are readily available in NZ or shipped from Australia

We currently choose not to import PetiteKnit-specific yarns directly just to match the name on the pattern — not because we don’t value those brands, but because:

• we can usually achieve the same result with yarns already here,

• importing purely for label-matching adds unnecessary cost and carbon,

• and supporting the yarn ecosystem in our own backyard matters to us.

(We do import the PetiteKnit patterns themselves — we can’t print them locally, and it’s a tiny footprint.)

TL;DR: Our Favourite PetiteKnit Substitutes Available in NZ

These behave most similarly to PetiteKnit’s recommended yarns:

• Outlaw Rebel — a reliable worsted-weight option with superb stitch definition

• Any NZ-spun DK with ~ 105–120m/100g for DK-based designs

• Kidsilk mohair blends from reputable NZ suppliers for those iconic fuzzy layers

(We test dozens more, but these consistently behave well.)

A Simple Example: Swapping a Worsted to a NZ Option (Using Outlaw Rebel)

Let’s take a PetiteKnit pattern calling for a worsted-weight wool.

Worsted is a weight that behaves quite differently between brands, so we ignore the label at first and look at what actually matters:

1. Metreage

A true worsted usually sits around 90–110m per 50g.

2. Fibre

Switching fibre can completely change structure and drape.

3. Gauge (before and after blocking)

PetiteKnit designs depend on accurate gauge.

4. Swatching

Always the truth-teller.

Using this process, one NZ-available yarn that consistently lands where we want it is:

➤ Outlaw Yarn Rebel (Worsted, NZ wool)

It gives the stability, bounce, and stitch clarity PetiteKnit patterns rely on — especially in structured garments.

Is it the only option?
No. But it’s one that behaves reliably and is easy for NZ knitters to access.

How to Choose the Right Yarn Substitute for PetiteKnit (NZ Version)

This is the exact checklist we use when building our recommendations:

✔ Check the metres, not the weight name
Labels can be misleading; metreage is more honest.

✔ Match the fibre wherever possible
Wool vs alpaca vs silk vs mohair — all dramatically change behaviour.

✔ Consider the drape
Some designs are meant to swing; others need structure.

✔ If the pattern uses held-together strands
General guide (still swatch):

• lace + lace ≈ DK

• fingering + mohair ≈ sport/light DK

• DK + mohair ≈ worsted

✔ Swatch — every time
Even with our recommendations. No shortcuts here.

✔ Ask us anytime
Sometimes all you need is a second opinion.

About Our PetiteKnit Kits

Our kits aren’t designed to upsell or complicate things. They’re simply the result of us doing the curious, fiddly, testing-heavy part so you don’t have to.

Every Petite Knit kit is built the same way we’d build our own project:

• swatches,

• comparisons,

• fibre tests,

• colour checks,

• behaviour tests at gauge.

Some knitters love doing all that themselves.
Others just want to cast on with confidence.
We’re here for both.

Frequently Asked Questions About PetiteKnit Patterns in NZ

Q: What NZ yarn is closest to the yarn PetiteKnit recommends?
A: It varies by pattern, but Outlaw Rebel is one of the closest matches for worsted-weight designs, and NZ mohair blends substitute beautifully in held-together patterns.

Q: Do NZ yarns behave the same as the Scandinavian brands PetiteKnit uses?
A: Yes — often better. Many NZ mills produce yarns with structure and bounce very close to the originals.

Q: Can I use any DK yarn for a PetiteKnit pattern?
A: Not reliably. DKs vary wildly in NZ. Always check metreage and swatch.

Q: What should I check before substituting yarn?
A: Metres per gram, fibre type, tension, and drape. These matter far more than ply names.

Q: Do you ship PetiteKnit yarn substitutes to Australia?
A: Yes — absolutely.

Q: Can you help me pick a yarn for my PetiteKnit project?
A: Always. Bring the pattern in, message us, or show us your swatch — we love swatches.

If You’re Working Through a PetiteKnit NZ Pattern, We’re Here When You Need Us

Bring the pattern in, even if you’re just thinking about it.
Email us your ideas.
Ask us at the counter.
Show us your swatch (we really do love seeing swatches).

Whether you’re planning a Cumulus Tee, a Sophie Scarf, or something more adventurous, we’re always here to help you choose a yarn available in Aotearoa that keeps the heart of the design intact.

Knitting should feel satisfying from the moment you choose your yarn.
If we can help make that part easier, we always will.

If You’re Working Through a PetiteKnit NZ Pattern, We’re Here When You Need Us

Bring the pattern in, even if you’re just thinking about it.
Email us your ideas.
Ask us at the counter.
Show us your swatch (we love seeing swatches).

Whether you’re planning a Cummulus Tee, a Sophie Scarf, or something more adventurous, we’re always happy to help you find a yarn that works with the yarns available in Aotearoa, and keeps the heart of the design intact.

Knitting should feel satisfying from the moment you choose your yarn.
If we can help with that part, we always will.