TIDAL WAVE a lace wrap

I released a new pattern!

 

TIDAL WAVE

a lace wrap

 

 

 

 

 

My lovely friend Ryan came over to model my new pattern for me.

Since the wrap is made of 100% alpaca yarn I thought the alpacas should be included in the photo shoot.

I designed the scarf using a pattern made up of knits, purls, yarn overs and a few purl togethers.

I wanted a lace pattern that wasn't a very open lace. I wanted it to be able to hang over my shoulders and cover me up at times.  I didn't want it to be too transparent, but I'm sure if you wanted to make this on larger needles it would give you a much more open lace feel.

Ono was very interested in the photo shoot, but didn't think getting too close to the model

was a very good idea.

 

 

The babies might not have wanted to get too close, but the big girls were very interested and made sure to check out both Ryan and the wrap.

 

Ryan with her herd of alpacas hee hee

Finally one of the kids came around and wanted to find out more about the model.

Do you see how comfy the wrap looks just draped over her shoulders? That is how I like to wear it.

 

Arrow wasn't shy about getting his picture taken.

 

 

 We went over to see Maggie. She is always up to have her picture taken.

 

 

Ryan is also a photographer and a picture she took of Maggie was used for the cover of

our local paper. It was such a fun picture I thought I had to get a picture of the two of

them together.

 

 

So whether you want to wear the Tidal Wave as a wrap, scarf, bundled around your neck or even over your lap it is warm and comfy and I really enjoyed knitting it.

 

The yarn I used was Shibui baby alpaca dk.

The color I used was Mineral.  I had made a shawl with this same color a while back and it is my most worn hand knit. It goes with everything. Which I love.

 

I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's yarn choices for this knit!

 

Pattern here- Tidal Wave

Yarn here- Chelsea Yarns

joining Ginny's Yarn Along

To the Alpacas

I am pretty sure this will be my last yarn along for 2013! I wish I had more fun things to share, but some of my projects are gifts and I have to keep them quiet for now.

 

Also I haven't had much time to knit because December is for the alpacas.  My parents open their farm and farm store during the weekends in the month of December. They sell lots of wonderful alpaca items in their showroom like hand knits, yarn, socks, coats, sweaters, toys and everything alpaca related. The sales for the items help support the herd.  I help them out as much as I can.  The only down side of all the time in the store is less time for my knitting. But this is the last weekend the farm is open and I can get back on track with some fun large projects I have planned for 2014.

 

I made a few Ganomy hats. They are an Elizabeth Zimmermann pattern and so easy to knit.

The one below still needs a pom-pom, but I am afraid I might gift it before I get any finished pictures of it so here it is pre-pompom. I used Cascade Eco Duo yarn.

 

 

I also made one out of some prime alpaca I had in my stash. I really love how it turned out.

Tiny modeled it for me, but it is better for a two year old. On a two year old it slouches in the

back and in my opinion much cuter.

 

I love how the shape covers ears so well.

 

In 2014 I am planning on doing a lot more spinning.

I am making a simple bennie hat out of some handspun merino yarn I made. I Navajo plied it and I'm finding the Navajo plying a little tricky on my traditional wheel since I have to spin it to get it started, but I'm sure with some practice I'll have it all worked out. I've been doing a lot of spinning lately so I'll have lots to practice with soon.

 

 

And since so much of my time these days has been dedicated to the alpacas I thought I'd share some pictures I took of them today while I was doing chores at the farm.

 

Bo with a milk mustache.

 

 

Ono has decided it is okay if I take his picture with my cell phone. He isn't too sure

about my big camera yet. Usually he runs behind his momma.

We had to give some of the alpacas shots today. I get to hold them as my mom gives them there

meds. I always enjoy getting my hands on them. They are so incredibly soft. My mom's hand was in Mr. Bates' fleece and I had to snap a quick picture of his awesome gray fleece.  That is going to be some pretty yarn.

 

Speaking of Mr. Bates only 2-1/2 weeks until Downton Abbey!!!!

Yeah it's cold here at the Jersey Shore.

 

For reading I just finished the audiobook "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak. I really liked it.

 I hear there is going to be a movie made and I can't wait to see it.

 

I hope everyone on the Yarn Along has a wonderful Christmas! I hope Santa brings you lots of yarn I'll see you next year!

 

~Andee

 

Joining with Ginny's Yarn Along

 

Links-

Ganomy Hat- white, gray, black

Ganomy Hat- brown and tan

Handspun Merino Hat

Arrow Acres Farm

Navajo Plying on YouTube

Fall Babies

After finishing up my farm chores this morning. I decided to take some pictures of the Fall babies. So just in case you wanted to see some cute alpacas here you go.

 

 

Look Stone has the green bandage off his neck :)

 

I hope you enjoyed the babies. There is only one more due for this Season. So far of the 5 babies from 2013 they all have been boys. What do you think the 6th one will be????

Pumpkin Picking Shawl

 

I finished up my "Pumpkin Picking Shawl". The pattern is Samen by Stephen West. I decided to call it my Pumpkin Picking Shawl because while I was knitting it the Fall colors made me want to go pumpkin picking.  Blue thinks I did a good job :)

 

I really loved knitting this shawl. I did most of the knitting on the road. We have taken some day trips lately and I took it with me everywhere we went. It is a very easy travel knit.

The yarn I used was Shibui Cima. It is a 70% superbaby alpaca, 30% fine merino wool. The yarn is held doubled and the finished knit is so incredibly soft. I love it is so much and I know I'm going to get a ton of use out of it.  I got the yarn from Chelsea Yarns.  The colors I used were Poppy, Mineral, Clay, Field, & Caffeine. I used one skein of each, but I had to cut the last garter ridge short 2 rows or else I was going to run out of Poppy (bright orange). I also made a mistake on one of the wedges. I forgot to do an additional repeat. But I am calling it a happy mistake because I was very glad to stick to one skein of each color.

In alpaca news this little guy has a name. Meet "Arrow".

 

Melody on the left and Spicy in the middle are both due soon, so we are sticking close to the farm and hoping for some healthy little crias any day now.

 

 

 

Happy Knitting! I hope you have a great day.

Joining with Ginny's Yarn Along

There's a Baby in the Barn!

Yesterday was an extra exciting morning on the farm. Cayugastar "Star" gave birth to a healthy baby boy.

 

Everyone say hi to the new guy.

New guy say hi to everyone!

 

 

He doesn't have a name yet, but he is the first offspring of my parents herdsire Milikigo Tka of Abenaki "Kigo".

 

Back a few years ago Star gave birth to the very first cria (baby alpaca) on the farm. On that day my mom had a good feeling Star was in labor. She sent out text messages to all of us to let us know that this would probably be the morning for the first cria. She left the field for only a few minutes to brush her teeth and in that time Star delivered Wea.  My younger sister drove up to the farm and called the house and got the answering machine and left a message "THERE'S A BABY IN THE FIELD!!!!!" It is a message I know my mom will never erase.

 

This time around my mom knew Star was in labor because she let Geneva eat out of her feed bucket. That is unheard of Star doesn't share her food!  So all the signs were there and my mom didn't go in to brush her teeth and at around 8:45 a healthy little boy was born in the barn.  Usually they have their crias in the field, but Star decided to deliver in the barn for a change.

 

Yesterday was a jamb packed morning at the farm. From a new cria, to moving the herd around and watching the other girls that look like they are about to deliver. It is exciting times at the farm!  Let the Fall cria season begin! 1 down 3 to go.