Manu was raised knitting, sewing and creating her own garments; fundamental skills she was taught by her grandmother. After graduating from school she went on to study business and also fashion and textiles. While her career sent her down a different path, she regularly continued making items for herself and her children. Manu has always run her own projects and businesses, but after moving to New Zealand with her family in 2008 decided to take a break from self-employment. This, of course, didn’t last long and she soon continued to do her own projects on the side to fulfill her creative needs. After re-kindling her love for knitting she noticed a major gap in the NZ market for a supplier that can provide and support the knitting community with local indie dyed yarns and yarns that were difficult to find in New Zealand.
She took matters into her own hands and created the Stitch & Bitch Lounge Cafe. With plenty of experience in building businesses, Manu built the Cafe and Wool Shop from the ground up. Our suppliers range from talented NZ dyers such as Yarnfloozy, Happy-Go-Knitty, Revive Designs, Prosper Yarn, Outlaw Yarn, Harnie Hoolie’s Designs and Rose Marlow as well as Kiwi Pattern Designer Truly Myrtle. The Wool Shop also stocks international yarns including Wool Candy, Lang Yarns and needles and accessories from Addi, Lykke.
