The Southern Thread

In Good Company: Thoughts on Belonging, Foreignness, and Community

Lately, there’s been a noticeable stir in the air. Among Japan’s foreign community, conversations are bubbling up about a shift in tone—particularly in political commentary. There’s been talk of fo...

Planning a Wool-Focused Trip to New Zealand

The early stages of a slow and purposeful journey In September I’ll be heading to New Zealand — a place close to my heart, and the home of the beautiful wool I work with every winter here in Japan....

A Check-Up on More Than Just My Health

Today I did something that’s been on my to-do list for a while: I went for a physical check-up. The kind you’re meant to do every year. For me, it had been five. I kept putting it off. I told myse...

Southward Memories: The Origins of a Love Affair with Winter

Before I ever sold a single woolly thing, I was in love with winter. As the school holidays roll around I am remembering all the trips back home to NZ with my kids. It's been quite a few years sinc...

Threaded Between Two Worlds

I recently read a piece on long-term homesickness. It was about more than missing a place — it spoke to missing a version of yourself, of your life, that lives far away now.   Not homesick in the t...