Friends of ours have an alpaca farm and offer 5 ply and 8 ply yarn professionally spun in 2 natural colors, fawn and cream which is 80% alpaca and 20% super fine Merino wool. Fred discovered this at a recent visit to this farm where the alpacas graze next to Noel's private air strip and brought back some "samples" (~300 gm skeins) of each weight and color for me to explore. I became enchanted with all of it and have since fallen in love with this yarn. I started Jared Flood's Girasole blanket in the 8 ply fawn yarn. Fred built me a skein holder so that I don't have to cut any of the yarn or wind into a ball. The yarn was up to the top of the dowels when I started. I just got some more of the yarn since I don't know how much this will take. Pattern calls for 1800 yds of aran wt yarn on 6mm needles. What a joy to knit this pattern which is beautifully written with large charts that are easy to follow. It is logical, interesting and my hands don't hurt even when making 5 sts out of 1 since this follows a previous yarnover and there is room for the new sts without a struggle. While missing out on having a LYS here, knowing these friends and getting the yarn directly from them in an unlimited supply which always matches is magic. I will dye the cream for future blankets or vests planned soon when I have a better idea of how much to dye.
3 comments:
Sorry about poor picture with the yarn on the top. Camera locked up afterward and I couldn't take another. Ironic since it is Jared's pattern and his photography is so beautiful. Let's hope he never sees this. LOL
Oh my goodness, that's going to be fabulous! Alpaca is my all time favorite fiber.
Wow, looks like you hit the jackpot.
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