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.

Simple Chunky Alpaca Hat

Hey Ladies! I have finished my alpaca project. It was simple really, just a hat made with chunky alpaca. Here it is!!
The hat was too small for me but it fit the DH perfectly!!Story behind the pic is that DH doesn't like his face on the internet. I told him that I wanted to just take a pic of him from his eyes up just to show off the hat. So he made himself a little black bar to cover his eyes. He's such a smart ass!
He loves the hat. What do you ladies think?
I can't wait to get my hands on some more alpaca! I've loved knitting with the chunky style now I may try a blend.

Fair Isle U-Neck in Alpaca

And now to move on from the monster-sized post I just did yesterday:

Here's my alpaca project that's currently on hold (but I hope to rev into high gear now that I've joined this KAL!).

It's the Fair Isle U-Neck from Vogue Knitting, Fall 2006. This is only the back, and it's been in this state since October!

The Mandatory Questionaire

1. How did you find this KAL?
The big 2007 KAL page
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'm going to be doing some freeform knitting with stash alpaca and probably some yet-to-be purchased non-stash alpaca.
3. Have you worked with Alpaca before? If so, your favorite past project knit with Alpaca?
Yep, I made a poncho out of Catalina 60/40 alpaca/merino blend. Very soft and lovely...
4. What is your absolute favorite Alpaca yarn? What weight do you prefer working with?
I have to say I'm in love with Misti Alpaca Chunky...
5. What sorts of things would you like to see this group do? Would you like any contests, prizes, surveys, swaps?
Oooh. Um... contests and swaps sound good. Plus surveys would be nice. And who doesn't like prizes? So, I guess all or any of those sound good.

My digital camera's dead right now, but hopefully I can revive it and get some pictures up soon.

Alpaca Lover

What a wonderful idea. I've actually thought of doing this before but just never had the time to follow through with it. So glad that someone got it started. I raise alpacas on our small farm in Tennessee and think their fiber is the greatest. I hear stories on blogs all the time about how alpaca can't be used for one type of project or another. I think you just have to get to know its characteristics to properly use it to its fullest. Contrary to popular belief it can be used in projects with cables. You just have to know that if you're going to knit cables don't use a worsted or heavier yarn. It is best to use say a sportweight. I hope that we can dispell some of the myths and get others to learn to appreciate this fiber the way that those of us that work with it now do.

I am about to embark on a sweater project using an alpaca silk blend. It will be the Shocking! Jacket from IK winter 2004. It is a Veronik Avery design. The hard part is deciding which color to use. There are about five that really call to me.

I'm looking forward to seeing what others will be doing with their alpaca fiber.