A is for Alpaca
I have a new love in my life....Alpaca
I fell in love with it while knitting the Einstein coat. I didn't particularly enjoy that project (felt like I was knitting 90 lbs of wool all at once), but I loved the wool I bought from Knitpicks. I have had several chances to wear my sweater and it keeps me toasty down to 5C.
I went to the Creative Sewing and Needlework Festival yesterday and because roving doesn't count to the Knit Your Stash challenge (which I freely admit I'm failing miserably), I stopped by the Green Acres Alpaca Farm booth. Turns out that they're from very close to where I grew up (Langton, Ontario - population 500 during the tourist season).
I bought 200 grams of cream roving and since all my bobbins are tied up on other projects, I decided to spin on my Forrester spindle. I had a bit of a time getting used to the Alpaca, because it's like cotton candy and disintegrated in my hands. Once I figured out that it's best to spin from the fold, it went much better. I'm getting around 25 wpi and when it doubles back, it's very nice with a soft halo.
I spun a bit of it and plyed it just to see how it really looks. I'd forgotten how much I hate plying from spindles....I may need to wind onto bobbins first - it just becomes such a mess otherwise! I've got it soaking in Eucalan right now, so pics to follow.
I fell in love with it while knitting the Einstein coat. I didn't particularly enjoy that project (felt like I was knitting 90 lbs of wool all at once), but I loved the wool I bought from Knitpicks. I have had several chances to wear my sweater and it keeps me toasty down to 5C.
I went to the Creative Sewing and Needlework Festival yesterday and because roving doesn't count to the Knit Your Stash challenge (which I freely admit I'm failing miserably), I stopped by the Green Acres Alpaca Farm booth. Turns out that they're from very close to where I grew up (Langton, Ontario - population 500 during the tourist season).
I bought 200 grams of cream roving and since all my bobbins are tied up on other projects, I decided to spin on my Forrester spindle. I had a bit of a time getting used to the Alpaca, because it's like cotton candy and disintegrated in my hands. Once I figured out that it's best to spin from the fold, it went much better. I'm getting around 25 wpi and when it doubles back, it's very nice with a soft halo.
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| From Spin |
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| From Spin |
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| From Spin |
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| From Spin |
I spun a bit of it and plyed it just to see how it really looks. I'd forgotten how much I hate plying from spindles....I may need to wind onto bobbins first - it just becomes such a mess otherwise! I've got it soaking in Eucalan right now, so pics to follow.
Saw their booth and wondered how well you would be able to resist temptation . Having just finished my first piece in alpaca I'm hooked.
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I wanted to go to the festival but couldn't make it, I hope to go to the one in the fall - it is supposed to be there big anniversary!!! Love your blog by the way!!!
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Thanks so much!
The fall one is bigger but not necessarily better. Sadly there is less and less yarn showing up and more and more scrapbooking, quilting, and fingernail painting. Not that there's anything wrong with that if you're into it, but I'm not. This is the first time I won't be attending it - it's just not worth the admission fee for me. If my friends hadn't gone to this one, I likely wouldn't have gone either.
But if you go, I hope you have fun!
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