Possum merino knitwear is the warmest yarn Sauso works with, and this is everything we build from it. Nearly every piece is knitted in New Zealand from one blend: 53% merino wool, 40% brushtail possum fur and 7% silk. The exception is the UNI sock, which adds nylon for durability (44/33/7/16). The same yarn runs through beanies, gloves, tube scarves, collars, scarves, scarf-ponchos, a knitted hood, socks and a hooded sweater. Sauso has made accessories by hand since 1929, and this is the knit we put our name on.
Brushtail possum hair is hollow at its core, so it holds air: the knit is very warm, still breathable, and exceptionally light — up to 20–30% lighter than a comparable pure-wool knit, depending on the piece. Most of the blend is mulesing-free merino, which moves moisture away from the skin so the knit stays dry. The silk adds strength and smoothness, and the blend is durable enough that it does not pill even after years of wear. The possum fur is a by-product of controlling an introduced pest: New Zealand's roughly 60 million brushtail possums have no natural predators there and threaten native biodiversity.
What is in the collection
SAANA is a double-layer plain-knit beanie in one size, worn folded or turned up, in fifteen colours from Black and Charcoal Grey to olive-green Avoka and light-blue Bahama. ONNI and HILLA are knitted gloves in sizes S–XL, HILLA with the longer cuff. KAIRA mittens carry polypropylene on the outer face for abrasion resistance, and IHANUS wrist warmers pull over leather gloves as a second layer. SISU and VIIMA are tube scarves, SALLA a shoulder collar with a ribbed turtleneck, VEGA a 35 × 190 cm scarf, and VUONO a scarf-poncho with at least six ways to wear it. UNI socks add plush zones at heel and toe.
- 53% merino wool, 40% possum fur, 7% silk — UNI socks 44/33/7 plus 16% nylon
- Knitted in New Zealand from mulesing-free merino wool
- Up to 20–30% lighter than a comparable wool knit, and effectively pill-free
- Unisex: one size for beanies, collars, scarves and ponchos; S–XL for gloves and socks
- Water-washable: hand wash at 30 °C, dry flat
Often the knit needs no washing at all — air it and brush off dust with a clothes brush; the full routine is in our care instructions. In hard frost, pull IHANUS wrist warmers over a pair from winter leather gloves; in milder weather, our silk scarves take over.
