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Some products are so widely accepted that their brand has come to represent the entire product line. We refer to Jello®, Windex®, Band-aids®, Kleenex® and Scotch Tape® as familiar generic products. For knitters, Noro is synonymous with fine quality multi-color yarn that is the standard for all others. Like other widely adopted brands, it’s the high quality and leading edge product development that distinguishes Noro Yarns from the competition. The artistic blend of specially selected fibers, all in richly dyed tones has made Noro Yarns famous for outstanding and extravagant yarns and color compositions.
Eisaku Noro Ltd. is a Japanese yarn producer located in the province Aichi in Japan. Founder and yarn designer, Eisaku Noro, is the artistic and creative force behind these exciting yarns. From carefully selected and organically grown raw materials through painstaking production methods, Noro Yarns bear the imprint of Mr. Noro’s exacting standards. Nothing is beyond his notice. Every ball of yarn in the line carries the notation "World of Nature" on the label, reflecting Mr. Noro’s philosophy of purity in and the preservation of nature. "Eco certification should not be bought," Mr. Noro states. "It should be an integral part of every business." Since founding the company over 30 years ago, Mr. Noro remains actively involved in the business, personally overseeing every aspect of production "from sheep to yarn ball." All fiber sources are monitored and certified as using chemical-free humane conditions for raising the animals. To ensure high quality fiber, the company checks the sheep’s food, the water and soil on the farms where the sheep are raised. No chemicals are used in washing the wool. Dyeing processes are carefully managed to protect the environment, too.
Mr. Noro designed other manufacturing processes to eliminate chemicals and reduce energy loads. The secret, traditional manufacturing processes employed by Noro ensure uniqueness that none can match. Eisaku Noro’s artistry in blending colors and fibers remains unsurpassed. There are imitators, but the textures and colors of Noro Yarns are unique throughout the world and have no equal. Wearing a garment created with Noro yarn is like wearing a work of art.
Yarnmarket keeps 24 Noro yarns in all their exciting colors in stock. Noro pattern books featuring designs by Noro, Cornelia Tuttle Hamilton, Debbie Bliss and Jane Ellison are also available at Yarnmarket.
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Win a Noro prize package worth over $150 or one of four autographed copies of Noro Volume 26.
See details below »
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Aya is new for 2010. The long color repeats in soft natural shades so characteristic of Noro yarns to produce the effect of a bouquet of garden flowers. Of 50% Cotton, 35% Silk, and 15% Wool, Aya knits at 5 stitches/inch.
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Big and bulky, Bonbori knits to a gauge of 3 stitches to the inch. Use Bonbori in men's garments, rugged outerwear, and accessories. It's 94% wool, 6% nylon in a range of the classic darker valued colors preferred by men.
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The rich blend of fibers (52% Cotton, 17% Wool, 17% Silk, 9% Rayon, and 5% Nylon) reflects light in a myriad of ways. Furin is a new yarn sure to become a Noro favorite. It's lustrous and luminous and, naturally, brilliantly colored.
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Noro's first true lace weight yarn was worth the wait. This fine yarn is 50% Cotton, 16% Silk, 17% Wool, and 17% Nylon. Now you can knit lace in the same artistically conceived colorscapes as you knit other Noro yarns.
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This heavier weight (4.5 stitches per inch) yarn is a blend of 45% Silk, 45% Mohair, and 10% Lambswool. It's all about softness and luxury plus color -- brilliant and imaginative color even by Noro standards!
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100% wool at 5 stitches to the inch in colors that make every piece an original work of art. Would you ever go back to monochromes? Kureyon is iconic for color, quality and versatility and is widely supported by top designer patterns.
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Talk about happy feet! Not only will you have the most splendid pair of socks, but you'll enjoy knitting every stitch as the colors reveal themselves. It's 70% Wool for comfort, 30% Nylon for durability and 100% Noro artistry.
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Six new colors were added to the Taiyo palette this year. Of 40% Cotton, 30% Silk, 15% Wool, and 15% Nylon, and working at 4 - 4.5 stitches/inch, Taiyo is perfect for sweaters, cardigans, accessories and children's garments.
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Don't stop with just socks with Silk Garden Sock. This luxurious blend of 40% Wool, 25% Silk, 25% Nylon, and 10% Mohair has been used by knitters for colorful garments and accessories. We think you'll love it for its color, touch and drape.
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This rustic blend of 42% raw silk, 40% cotton and 18% wool has auto-striping with subtle shadings and tweedy effects. A versatile, light worsted this yarn feels like breathable cotton.
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Cornelia Hamilton |
We all admire the many designers whose work with Noro yarns makes us want to knit and knit, but we want to be Cornelia Hamilton. Cornelia just published Noro Meet the Man Behind the Legendary Yarn, a compilation of 40 of her most popular designs in Noro. The really exciting part, however, is the story of her visit to Japan where she was privileged to meet Esiaku Noro, the man behind the yarn. How inspiring that must have been to meet the man who has created the yarns that have been her biggest design inspiration. How we envy her experience!
Noro, Meet the Man... is Cornelia’s 12th pattern book, and her first published book to date. Among Cornelia’s well known designs, her Klaralund Kimono sweater is probably the most popular (it’s included in her new book). Knitters seem to like the construction of the Klaralund. The simple shape is reminiscent of kimono shaping with wide sleeves that continue at the armholes, joined at the middle of the front and back. The bottom is worked separately in the round. The design has remained popular since its original publication in Noro Book Two. To get an idea of how enduring that design is, consider that Noro just published Noro Book 27.
Cornelia’s knitting story sounds familiar to many knitters. Crafters and painters populate both sides of her family tree, but Cornelia had no formal design training. Her innate creativity and curiosity plus a Liberal Arts degree gave her the skills needed for running a successful business. It all began when Cornelia was taught the rudiments of knitting by her mom when she was about 8. She knit a scarf and then stopped. At about age 13, Cornelia became deeply interested in free-hand embroidering and soon began crocheting steadily. At 16, she learned macramé and began selling macramé jewelry, which she continued through college. Cornelia turned this interest into a business, moving to New York City where she sold costume jewelry to small boutiques and Henri Bendel. She didn’t turn back to knitting until age 22 when crochet was out of fashion. Coincidentally, knitting uses considerably less yarn and she had a budget to watch. She has never looked back and knitters are the better for it.
Klaralund Sweater |
Clearly, yarn, thread and string have been a constant theme in Cornelia’s creativity. Like most knitters, she is fascinated by the endless variation of things that can be made by taking an endless piece of yarn and manipulating it into a fabric. Her first professional project was knit while riding through Europe on a train. It was a striped dress in thin mohair that she sold to Family Circle Fashion and Crafts upon her return to America. Today she says she has no idea about where the inspiration for that design came from.
Cornelia first learned about Noro yarns in New York while working as a salesperson at Fiberworks. She says the yarns have always radiated a creative integrity like no other yarn. They looked exciting, egotistical (in a positive way) and luxurious to her and these fantastic yarns began to influence her designs.
Like so many other artists, Cornelia says she has never really tried to analyze her creativity, but she does work to cultivate the contact that is necessary with her intuitive subconscious side, which allows ideas to surface. Cornelia begins the design process by thinking about how she can interpret any particular yarn to its best advantage. She approaches designing from a structural angle rather than a surface design angle and the Noro yarns helped to bring about that way of thinking. Cornelia also relies on architecture, nature and couture fashion for inspiration. Cornelia also relies on architecture, nature and couture fashion for inspiration.
Cornelia has also worked other lines: Araucania, Malabrigo and Plymouth’s Earth Collection. She is quite fussy about yarn qualities and only works in natural fibers and yarns that inspire her. She particularly likes medium weight one-ply and roving yarns.
Mora Chevron Vest |
Cornelia’s experience in the industry leads her to predict that the Noro line will always be one to keep an eye on. The yarns are constantly developing and changing. The company has been a pioneer in the industry in the area of environmentally friendly production. Further, the creative integrity of Mr. Noro as an artist assures us a continued supply of fresh yarns. Color, texture and fiber are Noro’s tools. It is clear that this is a man who finds joy in creating the product that he wants to create and is not restricted by the demands of the market or the limitations of equipment. What other creative people do with his product is yet another joy for him.
Cornelia also sees a couture trend in hand knits that seems to be expanding both in its boldness and application. She thinks hand knits represent freedom and creativity in a very special way that has a universal appeal. Cornelia recently predicted, "I think that we are again moving toward a more open fashion sensibility that is embracing individuality and self-expression, which is always good for all kinds of needle arts. People are in ever greater need of an alternative to the imposition of technology on their daily lives. The needle arts are a colorful, meditative and productive way of enriching one’s life. I believe that this trend is here to stay and will, in fact, grow over time. Not because it is cheaper to produce your own garments as it was 50 years ago, but because of the satisfaction gained from the creative process involved." We couldn’t agree more.
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This sweet top is created with pretty Chirimen yarn. The cotton/silk blend with a touch of wool is cool and comfortable for warm weather wear. The sleeveless top has vertical cables across the yoke with a flattering full body.
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One of the hottest fashion trends is the boxy, short cardigan, and it's great for any season. This flattering and comfortable cardigan is knit in Silk Garden. The Noro palette goes anywhere at any season. You can't miss with this little jacket.
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These flip top fingerless gloves have all the warmth of mittens plus the flexibility of gloves without having to fiddle with knitting fingers! This quick project is portable, too. Noro color adds eye-catching beauty to the simple design. We predict you'll knit several pairs!
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This one-size-fits-most simple A-line shawl will become your favorite wardrobe extender. Colorful Bonbori, knit in seed stitch, mimics woven tapestry. It knits up quickly at 3 stitches per inch. With no sleeves and minimal fitting, it's like knitting a big gauge swatch.
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There's something special about this camisole vest. You look special wearing it! Simply knit in a slimming vertical rib pattern, this vest is quick and easy to create. Cotton, silk, wool and nylon add sheen and luster to bring out the beautiful colors of Noro. Available in 6 new colorways.
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This colorful bag is created with Taiyo yarn, a blend of cotton, silk, wool and nylon that has a touch of sheen. It's a large bag with wide straps. Use it as a handbag, tote for books, or a gorgeous knitting bag. Finished size is 13" wide. Knit one now so you can use it at the beach this summer!
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This innovative pattern displays Kureyon's color artistry along with your knitting skill. The Entrelac pattern is created by turning the knitting every 5th stitch. You'll develop a rhythm and won't be able to put down your knitting as you wait for the next color to emerge.
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This top is created with the gorgeous cotton and silk Furisode yarn by Noro. We love the 3/4-length sleeves and the neckline that dips all the way to the waist. It's a pretty and colorful layering piece that's perfect with jeans, skirts or dress pants!
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This zippered hoodie for the small set is a show stopper knit in Noro's new yarn, Furin. Blended of 52% cotton, 17% silk, 17% wool, 9% rayon and 5% nylon, Furin is a sturdy thick and thin heavily textured yarn. It's appealing in this rugged garment for your favorite son or daughter.
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You may want to wear this pretty top throughout the summer! The loose-fitting style with handy patch pockets will soon become one of your favorite wardrobe pieces. It's cool and comfortable for hot weather, or layer it up for colder days. Noro color makes it a one-of-a-kind.
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Noro's new laceweight yarn, Sekku, is spectacular in a summer tank top that combines knitting and crochet. Crochet the lower half in a lacy diamond pattern, knit the bodice and finish off with a crochet shell edge. If you don't crochet, substitute a similar lace panel on the bottom.
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Zippered with a hood -- we know it's hard to get your guy out of that grey sweatshirt, but you can convert that old worn hoodie into something with style and flair when you knit Noro's Retro & Vintage Akeno Jacket. The subtle Noro colors will gain any man's approval.
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Top Noro Yarns at BargainYARNS
Get great savings on selected designer yarns, ends-of-lines and season closeouts plus everyday value yarns like RedHeart, Kertzer and Universal. Books, patterns, and needles, too!
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Win a Noro prize package worth over $150.
One lucky Spotlight reader will win the grand prize that includes an autographed copy of Noro Volume 26, a copy of Noro: Meet The Man; 10 skeins of Furin yarn, a set of size 8 Lantern Moon blonde needles plus a deluxe Yarnmarket bag. This is a great prize for any Noro fan! For the next two weeks we'll be giving out four autographed copies of Noro Volume 26 on Shear Bagatelle, the Yarnmarket blog.
To enter this contest, send an email to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
with the answer to the question:
How many Noro yarns are available at Yarnmarket.com?
Entries must be received by May 3 at midnight ET. A winner will be selected at random on May 4, 2010 and announced in our blog, Shear Bagatelle.
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