Day 59, Mini Yarn Crawl and Boat Ride

MARITIME MUSEUM

A visit to the Auckland Maritime museum, quite close to the cruise terminal, has been on my Auckland “to do” list and I would finally get my chance on our second day here.  I also discovered that they have several heritage ships, replicas of classic vessels build by museum volunteers, available for sailings almost every day.  We chose the “Ted Ashby”, a ketch-rigged deck scow, that was named for Ted Ashby, a man who was involved with scows his whole life and the author of the book ‘Phantom Fleet’. 

More information on the Ted Ashby sailings HERE.  The price is $42 NZD for senior citizens, that also includes museum entry.  Booking in advance is recommended as there are a limited number of spaces available for each sailing. 

TED ASHBY DECK SCOW

We booked the 11:30 AM sailing, leaving the Amsterdam around 10:30 AM and arriving at the museum at 10:45 AM after a short walk.  There is a lot to see in the museum, with plenty of well-done exhibits covering the maritime history of New Zealand.  We were able to walk thru all exhibits in 45 minutes, but I would plan on 90 minutes to be able to spend more time and not feel rushed.  

At 11:25 AM we boarded the Ted Ashby with about 30 other guests and were underway at 11:30 AM.  The ship left under diesel power hoisting its sails once it cleared the marina.  We sailed out for 30 minutes, passing under the Auckland Harbor Bridge, before turning around and heading back. 

There isn’t any presentation or program on the ship while underway, but the Captain and crew are very friendly and are eager to answer questions and help with photo opportunities throughout the journey.  

This ship sailed smoothly, with not much rolling or deck motion, but I am sure that this can vary based on the daily weather conditions.  Life jackets are available, but we were not required to wear them while underway. 

We returned to the museum about 12:30 PM and spent a little time in the gift shop before heading out to start our Auckland Yarn Crawl. 

YARN CRAWL

Here is a list of the Auckland area Yarn shops along with a map.  Their names have a link to their website which have the hours on the day you plan to visit along with other information.

• Yarn shops we have visited previously (2023  update-shops  have  moved since this post – map locations wrong – addresses below current )
  • New Zealand Fabrics and Yarn , 46 Mokoia Road, Birkenhead
  • Knit n Stich, 353 New North Road, Auckland
  • Craftworkz, 168 Kitchener road, Milford  (Now Closed )
  • Wild & Woolly Yarns   93 Kitchener road, Milford
  • Loopine Wool Company 1.5 miles away, 323 Parnell Road, Auckland
• These shops were recommended by others – but we have never visited.
  • Knit World 246 West Coast Road, Glen Eden
  • Remuera Sewing Centre 320 Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland
• Online Shops in Auckland Area
  • You may be able to arrange a studio visit on request
  • Prosper Yarn
  • Happy Go Knitty
  • Harnie Hoolie Designs
  • Yarn Floozy

We would visit 3 yarn shops today:  NZ Fabric and Yarn, Knit n Stich and Loopline, all of them on this side of the Auckland Harbor Bridge.  The two shops on the north side of the bridge, Wild and Wooly and Craftworkz, we visited in 2018.  

Using UBER is the best way to get around Auckland.  It is readily available and relatively inexpensive.  You do need a smart phone with an International Data Package.  If you have never used UBER, please give it a test run at home so you understand how It works while you are in a familiar environment. 

LOOPINE

Loopine was our first stop.  This shop is relatively new and off the main street in a courtyard behind a knitting friendly café.  The location is well marked with signs leading you back from the street.  Alanna Penk, formerly from Wisconsin, is the proprietor.  She moved to New Zealand with her husband a few years ago.  She also owns a design company, Black Cat Knitting Company, and you can find her on Ravelry and Instagram.  Her shop is cozy and very welcoming, with a nice selection of local New Zealand yarns as well as popular yarns from around the world such as Brooklyn Tweed, Knit Circus and Spincycle Yarns.  The adjacent café is a great place to relax and work on your project.  Judy bought two hanks of a bright yellow hand dyed yarn from Yarn Therapy.  Their motto is:  “Yarn is cheaper than therapy.” 

KNIT N STICH

Our next shop was Knit n Stich, about 6 miles and a 17 minute UBER ride away.  The shop is owned by Beth, with Karen working in the shop when we visited.  This shop is located in a residential neighborhood, in a mini strip mall with a few other establishments.  This shop has two large rooms featuring Malabrigo, Erica Knight, Jo Sharp and Filatura de Crosa to name a few.  Judy bought three balls of Zealana Air, a lace weight possum/cashmere blend, a linen blend lace weight yarn called Fresco Lace by Borgo de’ Pazzi and an ombre shawl kit by Katia yarns. 

MUZZA’S PIES

Across the street is Muzza’s Pies which sells fabulous New Zealand pot pies for carry out only.  

KEVIN KILSBY CERAMICS

Right down the street from Knit n Stich is Kevin Kilsby Ceramics.  Kevin runs a ceramic studio and shop behind his house and has a peaceful garden and a wonderful showroom with beautiful ceramics.  If you go to Knit n Stich, take the time to walk the 50 yards to Kevin’s studio. 

NEW ZEALAND FABRIC AND YARN

Our final shop would be NZ Fabrics and Yarn, located in the Queens Arcade, very close to the ship.  We took an UBER from Knit n Stitch to the Countdown Grocery, a little less than 1/2 mile from NZ Fabric and Yarn.  We picked up some Tim Tams here before walking to the Queens Arcade to visit our final yarn shop.

 This shop is inside a large arcade, and while the shop is on the small side, it is chock full of New Zealand designed, produced and themed products.  They stock over 200 bolts of New Zealand themed fabric along with a large selection of DMC threads.  Judy bought enough of the possum/cashmere Zealana Air to knit a lacy cardigan. 

MUSTER DRILL

All aboard was 4 PM because they decided to have a muster drill before we left port.  The day before, all aboard time had been listed as 5:30 PM and was printed in the Where and When as 5:30.  We were disappointed when we left the ship this morning and were informed by a Guest Services rep that the all aboard time was changed at the last minute.  This required us to rush thru some of the shops and we weren’t able to visit any shops across the bridge near Devonport. 

SAILAWAY

I stopped by the sailaway, held in the Crow’s Nest, where they served Lamb sliders.  Attendance has been light at SailAways and is generally the same 30-40 people.  

ALLEY CATS

The a-cappella doo wop group, the Alley Cats, were on the Mainstage this evening.  They put on a great show including such hits as: 

• Sherrie baby
• Duke of Earl
• Runaround Sue
• Under The Boardwalk
• Book of Love
• La bamba
• In the Still of the Night
• Higher and Higher
• Rock Around the Clock