By George! Gifts from NZ fit for future king

Wairarapa members of the Black and Coloured Sheep Breeders Association have prepared a home-spun gift package for Prince George.

The future king was sent a merino hat, singlet, bootees and a blanket, plus the association's book, The World of Coloured Sheep, for Prince Charles.

Spokesman Georgie Fairless said six members spent many hours washing, combing, hand-spinning and finally knitting a multi-coloured merino fleece of 16-18 microns, using wool from a farm in Canterbury.

Mr Fairless said the gift of the book for Prince Charles seemed appropriate as he is the Patron for Campaign for Wool.

The members also made a special carrier bag for the gifts.

A photographic print of the raw Merino fleece staples was transferred to two large squares of photographic paper. These sheets form the sides of the bag which were then joined together with gold coloured card for the gusset and base.

The bag is finished with merino wool cord handles.

The Black and Coloured Sheep Breeders Association was formed 36 years ago, with 12 branches across New Zealand. "We welcome anyone who is interested in starting and breeding coloured sheep to join us and learn to produce and recognise a premium quality fleece fit for royalty."