I am so sad about what just happened in Boston. I hate to see such horrible things happen.
I don't have the words to put all my thoughts about it in writing so I hope you don't mind some pictures of knitting, alpacas and people who have inspired me to clear your and my mind of it for a moment.
I started this Blog one night not knowing what I was really going to do with it. I thought it would be a good place to share all my pictures. The next morning I went to our neighbors alpaca farm to see a cria that had just been born. I was hoping to get a few pictures of the new little alpaca and while I was there the owner showed me a Blog "It's All About Purple". He told me about a woman, Debbie, who had just visited his farm. He went on to tell me she has MS and is one of the most inspiring people he has ever met.
I went home later that day and looked up her blog. I made a comment and the rest is history. If you know Debbie then you know how awesome she is. If you don't know her I highly recommend getting to know her. She has made this little blog of mine come to life. I thank her so much for all her words of kindness, her recommendations of places to go and the list goes on and on.
We live a town apart, but never see each other. My boys are young and hers are grown and out of the house. She has given me so much motivation to "take the picture". I was so excited that she could come to my parents farm today to play with the alpacas and help take some pictures of me wearing my new shawl. Although I think she was having more fun being the Carrot Lady. She insisted she didn't know what she was doing taking pictures, but I think she did a fantastic job. She was so much fun to spend time with.
And as a bonus my shawl is now featured on the designers page! That is the biggest thrill in the world to a knitter, or to me at least.
Francesca help me out with the pictures too. She is such a good alpaca.
It was hard keeping Debbie away from the alpacas for too long.
As for the shawl I made it with a MKAL (mystery knit along). When I signed up for the MKAL I had no idea what is was going to look like. I was knitting from paper and hoping I was doing the right thing! That really tested my skills. But the group I was knitting with was so much fun and it was so fun to see everyone's progress pictures along the way. Romi is the designer of the shawl and I highly recommend joining her Ravelry Group Romi's Studio. It is a very active group. You will pick up lots of tips and there are lots of people to help you with her patterns.
I wanted to get a picture of the shawl with Blue since he has spots, but he didn't want anything to do with it. I guess pink isn't his color.
It was also nice having Debbie at the farm so I could get some fleece shots. Getting these pictures helps to have 3 people: the photographer, alpaca holder, hands to open the fleece. So between myself, my mom and Debbie we got some fleece shots. The pictures are taken from their sides.
This is Reno. I wish you could feel how soft his is through the computer.
Next up Jatoba.
Soon that will all be turned into yarn!
I got a quick shot of my mom with Reno. I think everyone should get to hug an alpaca everyday. It would make for a better world I am sure of it.
I would also like to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who has been voting for me in the National Alpaca Photo Contest. You guys are the best! I can not believe how many of you are voting and supporting me. I can't say thank you enough!
Notes:
Ravelry link- Mystery Shawl (I have tried to change the settings so no Raverly users can see my link)
Yarn- Cascade Yarns Heritage Hand Painted Sock Yarn 75% merino superwash / 25% nylon
Yarn (pink)- 100% Superfine Alpaca
A few notes on the colors of the shawl- I dyed the entire shawl in a pot of my own homemade dye using flowers and black cherry jello. You can see my post about how I made the dye from the flowers here. I dyed the shawl when it was complete to marry the two colors together.
