I must be a little strange when in the midst of hot
summer with three digit temperatures and heat records; I am totally immersed in
study of alpacas and their luxurious fiber. I dream about having a small alpaca
farm, listening to the sweet noises they make, dreaming about having few of the
sweetest animals and the best time working with the fiber they give…. I am
stopping right here as I could go on and on.
So, in order to satisfy my newly found obsession, I
went down to Castle Rock and visited a small charming store that sells just what
I am looking for, “Everything Alpaca”. It was recommended to me by a lady
obsessed with yarns and fibers just like me. She said I just have to go there.
Store is operated by Deb, who is an actual alpaca
breeder. Not only you can see the yarns and touch the handmade products from
this awesome fiber, Deb will talk to you about the animals themselves, the
different breeds and show you which skein of yarn came from which award winning
animal.
Sure I knew about alpaca yarn for some time now and
sure I can buy it almost in any yarn store. But, there is a difference buying
it from the very origin where it’s known which animal it came from and when some
of the yarn is handspun by local artisans who share the same love of yarn as I
do. It is as authentic as it can be for a city person like me. I did not want
to get it from the store that is supplied by skeins mass produced in large
quantities somewhere in other country. I feel it would be a disgrace to the
animal who gave us such a gift. I feel bond to all the hands on farmers and
artisans who keep traditions alive.
Deb is fortunate to know many top notch knitters that
produce all the magnificent pieces offered for sale in her store. In fact, I
know where I am going to go looking for a wedding present when my next friend
gets married. I will go see Deb and get for the new couple one
of the softest warmest blankets made from alpaca fiber. And I will not have to
be ashamed of the present as it will become their new family heirloom to
cherish.
As I just read through the Spring/Summer 2012 Vogue
Knitting magazine, I had their patterns for eyelet beret, lacy shawls and especially
drop-stitch scarf freshly in mind. So when I saw the last two skeins of soft
Blush hand dyed alpaca DK yarn on the shelf, I had to grab them. I knew just
what they have to be turned into. It was a perfect match. I would not forgive
myself if I did not put the exquisite pattern together with luxurious fiber in
luscious yummy color and my great appreciation for the alpaca and left without
them.
So here I am, knitting in the heat, enjoying soft
buttery feel of the yarn and praising myself that I made my trip to Everything
Alpaca. Yarn is very soft, two ply, not very tightly twisted. Color is great, very even dye job.
I
am so going to show off later while wearing it!
Sections in between leaf designs-the ones that look like garter stitch- will later
be dropped. Some of the loops/stitches will be dropped and will unravel all the way down to the beginning of my scarf to create loose ladder-like airy areas separating leaf sections.
I have but one regret; before I spotted my blush
pink DK, Deb showed me the softest yarn from her prize winning black alpaca
princess and I did not get it. I just did not have the right set of mind and
vision on how to use this softest ever fiber. But now I keep thinking about it
and that is a sure sign that I missed out on something good. I am going to call
her tomorrow and have her send me a few of the ‘black princess’ skeins.
If you are interested in visiting Deb's store, look up her information on www.everythingalpaca.biz.
