Sunday, June 29, 2008

Knitting with Alpaca Yarn


We have an alpaca farm right across the road from us. These fascinating creatures are fun to watch and something really different for our neck of the woods. My horses just can't figure out whether to be afraid of them or not!
I've been doing a little research on alpaca yarn and I think I'm going to have to give it a try in my knitting. I'm allergic to pure wool, so I usually stay away from that, but I'm finding out that Alpaca's largest advantage is that, unlike wool, it is hypo-allergenic. That means that people who are allergic to wool will not have a problems with alpaca wool.
Another great thing about alpaca yarn is that it is a hollow core fiber which will keep you warmer than wool when you need to be warm, but breathes when you need to be cool. It is also smoother than wool so will not have the itch factor that wool has.
The down side is that alpaca does not have as much elasticity as wool so therefore when items made with it are stretched they will not go back to their original shape. Don't let this scare you though, because alpaca has a beautiful drape.
There are also a few things you can do to avoid having a problem with it:
1. Use a blended yarn (about 70% alpaca and 30% wool.
2. Choose small projects that don't necessarily need to hold shape.
3. Knit or crochet tighter.
4. Twist stitches to keep the "memory" in your project.
One other tip for knitting with alpaca is to use wooden knitting needles as it can be very slippery to work with.
Armed with these facts, I'm ready to give alpaca a try on some projects in the very near future. I'll let you know how they turn out.

Sunday, June 8, 2008

Knitted Christmas Stockings



OK, so I know it seems a little early to be talking about Christmas Stockings, but I found this pattern last year right before Christmas, which, of course, was too late to get more than one done. I decided that since my family needs new Christmas Stockings, I would start making them in January and, hopefully, have them all done by Christmas. I need about 8 and so far I've got 2 done.



This pattern came from http://www.knittingpatterncentral.com/. If you've never checked out that site, it is a great resource for lots & lots of free knitting patterns. I've used quite a few of them for various projects.

This pattern makes a stocking about 10" long. Of course, for my family that's not nearly big enough so I've adapted the pattern by using larger needles and casting on more stitches. It's really pretty easy to do and you can experiment a little to get the size you want. I made a few just as the pattern goes and they made nice gift holders for small gifts, like a bottle of lotion or perfume, or candy. They would be cute Christmas decorations, also, and can be made using any combination of colors and yarns. You can use your imagination and decorate and embellish them in any way you like.


The smaller one in the picture is made according to the pattern and I used a fuzzy white yarn for the top. The larger one is made using a bulky burgundy yarn and off white fuzzy yarn. Have fun and I hope you can come up with lots of uses for these little stockings.


Pattern:

One 50 gr. balll worsted weight yarn and size US 9 (5.5mm) needles. Gauge: 8 stitches and 10 rows to 2 inches - but of course that's not essential depending on the size you want.


Cast on 34 sts.
Knit 6 rows (you could use a 2x2 ribbing also).
Starting with a right side row, work 30 rows in SS.
Starting of short rows:
Next row: K24, turn,
Next row: P15, turn,

Continue in SS working one extra stitch on every row (before your turn) until all the stitches have been worked - [i.e. K16 turn, P17 turn, etc.] ending on a knit row.

Purl one row on the 34 sts. Then you can start the next stocking stitch part on the right side. The number of rows is not that essential and can be changed if so desired.
Knit 12 rows straight in Stockinette Stitch.
Shape toe:

Next row: *K1, K2tog, repeat from*to last st. K1
Next row: P2, *P2tog, repeat from*to end of row.
Next row: K2tog to end. (6sts)******
Next row: P2tog to end (3 sts)

Note:******at this stage the yarn could be cut and drawn through the 6 sts to make a 'stubbier' toe.

Cut yarn and draw through remaining sts and fasten off.
Sew seam.
Turn over garter st. cuff.
Make a cord for hanging and fasten to top of cuff.

Hang on doorknob, fill with favours for guests to enjoy.