Looking for premium Australian wool that’s soft, sustainable and entirely traceable from sheep to skein?
 
Meet Great Southern Yarn Rufus Owl 4ply Fingering, a luxuriously soft, ethically sourced yarn made from 100% Australian Merino wool. Grown in Dubbo, NSW and hand-dyed in Wyong, NSW, this yarn brings together the best of Australia's fibre heritage in a beautiful fingering-weight base perfect for knitting, crochet and weaving alike.
 
Whether you’re searching for where to buy Australian wool or looking for the best Australian Merino for your next heirloom piece, Rufus Owl is where craftsmanship meets conscience.
 
A Yarn with a Story
 
Great Southern Yarn Rufus Owl is spun from single-origin Soft Rolling Skin (SRS) Merino fleece raised on the Lyons family’s sixth-generation farm in Dubbo, NSW. This unique breed is naturally resistant to flystrike, which means no mulesing. The result is a cruelty-free yarn that places animal welfare at the heart of the story without compromising on softness or quality.
 
Each fleece is carefully selected for its staple length and softness, then gently scoured and worsted spun in Napier, New Zealand, before being hand-dyed back in Wyong, NSW. The entire journey is transparent, ethical and proudly rooted in Australasia from farm to finished fibre.
 
This 4ply yarn has a stunning hand-feel, with a smooth finish and lovely stitch definition, thanks to its worsted spin and non-superwash nature. The hand-dyed colourways take inspiration from the Australian landscape and art. Think rugged earth tones, dusky skies and rich native hues, all with a soft variegated or solid depth.
 
Why You’ll Love It
 
If you’ve been wondering where to buy Australian Merino that’s both ethical and exquisite, Great Southern Yarn Rufus Owl is your answer. It’s soft enough for the most delicate skin, durable enough for garments, and beautiful enough for your most creative makes.
 
You’ll love:
The 100% Australian-grown, non-mulesed Merino fleece
The single-origin sourcing and full traceability from farm to yarn
The worsted spun construction for crisp stitch definition
The non-superwash finish that offers a natural, tactile hand-feel
The depth and richness of hand-dyed, artist-inspired colourways
 
This yarn is a fibre lover’s dream, perfect for makers who care about their craft, the planet and the story behind the skein.
 
Spun with Purpose
 
Great Southern Yarn represents everything we stand for: exceptional fibre, ethical treatment of animals and support for sustainable wool production right here in Australia and New Zealand.
 
From the cruelty-free SRS Merino sheep in Dubbo to the artistry of the hand-dyeing process in Wyong on a non-superwash base, this yarn supports Australian farmers, New Zealand spinners and the kind of mindful making that honours every part of the process.
 
This is more than just soft Australian wool. It’s a connection to land, tradition and craftsmanship.
 
Perfect For
 
Rufus Owl 4ply is ideal for lightweight garments and accessories that need breathability, softness and a natural, woolly feel. Whether you’re knitting lacework, crocheting intricate motifs or weaving detailed textures, this yarn is made to elevate every stitch.
 
Try it for:
Elegant shawls and wraps with depth and drape
Lightweight sweaters and cardigans with classic wool structure
Beanies, mitts and scarves that feel soft against the skin
Colourwork pieces that highlight rich, hand-dyed tones
Heirloom baby knits that are gentle and safe
Weaving projects with texture and intentionality
 
Interested in similar yarns? Check out our range of:
Australian wool
wools and wool blends
mulesing-free wool
non-superwash yarns
eco yarns
hand-dyed yarns
Australian-dyed yarns
 
Needing inspiration? Check out our patterns available both for free and to purchase!
 
Need your skein wound into a ball? Check out our ball-winding service here.
 
Want to learn more about Great Southern Yarns? Check out this informative blog post here.
 
Want to learn more about non-superwash wool? Check out this informative blog post here.