Update on my 1st Swallowtail Shawl

Here's a couple of pictures of my 1st Swallowtail Shawl using Misti Alpaca Lace:

I started this shawl on Mar 3, 2007 and finished it on Mar. 9, 2007. I'm planning on making the next one larger by doing 19 reps on chart 2 vs 14 reps. This was really fun to knit and the nupps were not as bad as I thought they were going to be. I used my working needle and a dpn held together when I did the yo's. This kept them loose enough to do the purl 5 tog on the next row, and it didn't slow me down that much.

My next Alpaca project will be a scarf from the Artic Lace book using Alpaca Cloud from Knitpicks.

Here are my first 2 alpaca FO's. Finished just as temps hit the 80's here in the midwest, wouldn't you know. I think I'll turn the AC down real low and take turns wearing them in the house! More details on my blog (you will have to scroll down a few days back).


I absolutely loved the turquoise Alpaca Baby Grande - it was very soft and silky, it seemed to just fly out of my fingers and onto the needles. And I loved everything about the chocolate Blue Skies Bulky alpaca, from the way it looked (like reggae dreadlocks), the way it smelled, the way it felt, the way it knitted. I am ordering more of this, as soon as I figure out what non-scarf item to make with it - maybe a ski band and mittens.

And here is the start of my new infatuation, some decadent plummy Big Baby from Alpaca With a Twist - my new most favorite. It's just made for the Yarn Harlot's One-Row Scarf pattern!

New Pattern

Elann has posted a beautiful new pattern the Luna Moth Shawl I have made several of SK's designs including this shawl in alpaca, she is creative and thorough in her pattern writing . The shawl pictured is her Garden Path made from Elanns Pure Peruvian Alpaca in Cactus on size 9 addis.

Here is a picture of the scarf I made using Misti Alpaca Chunky. It's a free pattern from their website. I love this yarn!

Alpaca Sweater, just in time for spring :p

At long last, I've completed the Fair Isle U-Neck.


Specs:

Pattern: Fair Isle U-Neck from Vogue Knitting, Fall 2006
Yarn: Knit Picks Elegance
Time to complete: October 2006-March 2007
Things I'd change: The sleeves. I hate them. They're way too loose and baggy compared to the body. I'd also change that, too. The body's about 2 inches too big.

Despite what my "what I'd change" list says, I really do like the way the sweater turned out. The yarn is wonderful, very soft and smooth against the skin. The colours worked out alright as well.
When I make a second one (yes, I will! and I already have the yarn for it!) it's going to be smaller, and the sleeves will be 3/4 length instead of full-length.

This second photo shows the colours a bit better.

Thanks!

Thanks for inviting me to join your KAL! I have just finished the Swallowtail Shawl from IK Fall 2006 using Misti Alpace Lace in Cranberry. Here's a picture of it in the blocking stage. This is a cool pattern and I will be making another. I have 2 skeins of Misti Alpaca Lace in Sea Mist, I may use them for the Shetland Triangle or Ene's Scarf...not sure yet.

Sorry

I know I haven't been posting here often, I have been reading and checking on the blog though! The contest is coming to an end soon, don't forget to get your comments in!

Also, since I have been rather busy, did I forget to add anyone to the sidebar? Please let me know.

Thank you

New to the KAL

Hello everyone. My name is Susan, aka Knitters-Delight and I found this KAL through a few bloggers that are on my daily read list. I am currently finishing up Wendy Bernard's Not-So-Shrunken Cardigan, which I'm using merino wool for. After this, I'm planning on starting her Fad Classic in Debbie Bliss' Alpaca Silk DK in a gorgeous wine color. I had previously tried to use the yarn for Ms. Marigold, but it got completely tangled on me and I lost at least 2 skeins. Since this is a smaller amount needed for the Fad Classic, I'm trying to use the yarn again. I also bought a ball winder and I'll re-wind it so that it pulls from the center.

Feel free to check me out on my blog at http://knitters-delight.blogspot.com.

Suggestions?

I am desperate to make this lace shawl from elann.com. I think I'd like to make it with an alpaca blend yarn. Can anyone suggest an aran weight (17st/4") yarn that is reasonably priced that would work with this project?

Freakin' finally...

I'm done with that damned zipper! Details on my blog. Let me just say that It was a quick knit despite all my finishing or rather shopping trouble. I'd recommend the pattern totally. Now I'm off to look for another alpaca project...

Back view

Introducing myself

Hello all,

I just joined this KAL and thought introductions were in order. I went back into the archives and found this intro questionaire and thought I'd start with that. So, here goes...

1. How did you find this KAL?
I was surfing the 'net and found the 2007 Knit Alongs and Swaps website. I saw this one there.

2. What do you plan on making with your Alpaca fiber? Crocheting, knitting, or spinning? If knitting or crocheting give us details on the yarn! I am currently working on the Spinner's Shawl by Fibertrends. It is my first shawl project and I have just barely started. It is being knit with Knit Picks Alpaca Cloud in Tide Pool, a lace weight yarn. After that, I have a sock of the month kit (from way too long ago...) that is called something like Celtic Cables. The yarn for it is Misti Alpaca lace weight in a medium kelly green. There might be an alpaca spinning project in the future, but I have too many UFOs right now to start something new.

3. Have you worked with Alpaca before? If so, your favorite past project knit with Alpaca? I have worked with alpaca once before. I knit a pair of socks with Knit Picks Andean Treasure. They are so soft. I love alpaca.

4. What is your absolute favorite Alpaca yarn? What weight do you prefer working with? I have only used these three different yarns. I like the medium weight yarns, sport weight, but apparently keep finding lace weight projects.

5. What sorts of things would you like to see this group do? Would you like any contests, prizes, surveys, swaps? Any of the above would be great.

Well, that's all for now. I just got off work, so I have chores to do. Looking forward to everyone and all the projects. Nice to meet you all.

Donna

I was lucky enough to receive some fabulous Blue Skies bulky alpaca in deep chocolate brown for the February Color Swap 2007. It is seriously bulky and seriously soft and reminds me of dreadlocks. I want to knit a scarf for myself and since I have 90 yards and like a long scarf, I thought I'd come up with a pattern using stripes in different colors of baby Alpaca Grande (doubled) and Rowan bulky merino (doubled). I wanted to knit the Blue Skies yarn in a seed stitch and the stripes in either seed or garter. The problem is that I am getting very obvious color "bumps" on one side. I am frustrated because I don't like the way it looks - I want clean lines on both sides - but no matter which stitch I use, I keep getting these bumps. Does anyone know what kind of stitch or other technique I could use to eliminate or minimize these bumps and get distinct edges on both sides? Thanks for any help I can get.