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7:24 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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I am seriously looking into getting some alpacas as I think it could work quite well here as we have spinners and knitters in the village and I thought it might make a good cottage industry - well eventually. Anyone any experience of spinning or knitting with alpaca?
7:44 pm
Supreme Being
New members
Tue 22-Sep-09
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Is it like Mohair, in which case yes, lots of experience - back in the 80s, if it's not, then no.
7:51 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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Actually I have no idea whether it is like mohair or not. I know it is very soft to the feel
8:00 pm
Supreme Being
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Tue 22-Sep-09
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I mainly remember mohair as being very 'hairy' if that makes sense, you knit it on quite large needles and due to it's 'hairyness' there was little point doing anything fancy such as cables as you couldn't really see it when knitted up. Used to love doing it though as it grew so quick - used to knit for a shop but it was slave labour.
9:33 pm
Councillor
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Fri 10-Sep-10
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Coincidently just watched on Horse & Country Tv a film by Micheal Stowe called 'It's an Alpaca' starring the Kilnwood Alpacas Farm in Oxfordshire. Covered all aspects of keeping and breeding with a bit about the wool.You may be able to see it online,
Seed catalogues are responsible for more unfulfilled fantasies than the web and playboy combined . (after Michael Perry)
10:27 am
Expert
New members
Tue 9-Nov-10
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I have knitted with alpaca, some years ago - local yarnstore had some in the clearance bin! It is bliss to knit - flows through the fingers and round the needles like butter. It also softer and smoother than mohair, and fluffy with no tickle at all. Younger daughter made off with the finished item, which is only allowed to visit me occasionally, and when it does, she keeps the staples that fasten it round her shoulders!
I am going to insert a link to a photo on Flickr - hope it works!
Actually I don't think that came on as a link, but it is the address, which should get you somewhere.
Shut up, I'm counting
2:02 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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Thanks for that Seth, loved the video and I agree with the alpaca owners, they are so cute and the fleece is wonderful stuff. Here's the link for anyone who wants to watch it, it's about 23 mins long
2:53 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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I agree with Jean about knitting with the yarn is extra special. Love the pictures of the knitting BTW Jean, I can understand your daughter wanting to hang onto that.
I'll try that again!
3:46 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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Gottaknit said:
I am going to insert a link to a photo on Flickr " hope it works!
That is fabulous, I love the design. I would love to have black and white alpacas initially as I think those colours will make some gorgeous jumpers (sweaters for the Americans amongst us) but having seen your shawl, I think that would have to be added to the list.
Was it just pure alpaca that you used or a mix of alpaca and wool?
4:04 pm
Councillor
Tue 22-Sep-09
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Alpaca is bliss to knit- smooth,soft,lustrous- can also make a very fine thread, fine enough for weaving. Nothing beats it.
They are very nice animals too.
Kateuk makes things at http://www.etsy.com/shop/finkstuff and sometimes she does this too http://www54paintings.blogspot.com/ and also this http://finkstuff.weebly.com/
4:51 pm
Expert
New members
Tue 9-Nov-10
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It was pure alpaca made the shawl " if I remember rightly, a South American fairtrade variety, as I said, from the clearance bin. I think the thickness was something around 4ply " double knitting in old fashioned English terms. Quite heavy for a lace knit. I don't know if the yarn was dyed or natural " it was a nice charcoal colour with wispy white fibres in it. The pattern was a freebie too " I'm such a cheapskate.
Again I don't know if the link will work " it took me ages to track it down this morning, and then I had to sign in to be able to download it for myself. (Lost the old copy) I think telling some American company my name and address is fair exchange for the gorgeous pattern. If the link won't get it, go to Elann, sign in and do a search for "garden path shawl".
Shut up, I'm counting
6:30 pm
Supreme Being
Wed 30-Dec-09
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JoannaS said:
I am seriously looking into getting some alpacas as I think it could work quite well here as we have spinners and knitters in the village and I thought it might make a good cottage industry - well eventually. Anyone any experience of spinning or knitting with alpaca?
What a fab idea, Joanna, and Jean, what a gorgeous shawl. How talented you are!
7:14 pm
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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I think what I shall do is dig around in my old patterns and see if there are some similar ones.
Does anyone know what the law is on copyright for selling articles made from patterns and how old the patterns have to be before being out of copyright? It is remotely possible that I have some patterns out of copyright they are that old - well maybe!
I had thought of something like the Norwegian jumpers but made with Latvian motifs in black and white. The alpacas come in a range of colours white, black, grey, cream, brown and chocolate - even better than Jacob's sheep as you will get more fleece.
10:33 pm
Supreme Being
Wed 30-Dec-09
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JoannaS said:
Here's the link for anyone who wants to watch it, it's about 23 mins long
Just watched this video Joanna, aren't they gorgeous?
Saw a shawl " I'm sure there are many others " on Ravelry for a free download, very similar idea.
"Thallo" by Dagmar Lutz " here.
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7:34 am
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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Wow that is gorgeous. Just need to get some information from the Latvian authorities on what they will and will not allow and then contact someone with good alpacas for sale. Not much to do then 
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