Knitters and students join forces to manufacture beanies
Beanies and buffs made by Aparima College students and their team of knitters are being sold to North Island buyers.
Some of the college's young enterprise group came up with the idea in February and have since made 50 buffs and beanies from a blend of possum fur and merino wool.
Student Ashleigh Evans and her father, Russell Evans, go out on possum shooting trips every fortnight.
"We aim for 15 to 20 each time," Ashleigh said.
Fur plucked from the possums is sold to an Invercargill business, with the money used to buy a blend of possum fur and merino wool.
Ten volunteer knitters in Riverton make the garments and hopes are high the number could increase to 20. Students plan to visit knitters at the Longwood Retirement Village and Care Home to see if they would like to be part of their team.
"We advertised them [beanies and buffs] on Facebook and it just exploded [with interest] ... it's insane," Ashleigh said.
"There's been a lot of local interest."
Two beanies have been sent to buyers in England.
Students designed a marketing and packaging plan which includes environmental friendly strips of flax for a bow and to tie up the parcels.
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