Knitting With Alpaca - A Few Handy Tips
Posted on | February 22, 2008
Choosing Your Yarn…
Weights
If you’re a newbie to knitting alpaca, and desperate to get some yarn on your needles it’s important to decide on how you would like your final object to be before choosing a pattern. 2ply, 4ply, Double Knit and Aran weight knitting yarns all vary in nature and texture. As alpaca is a very warm natural fibre, be aware that less is more with regards to the weight of the fabric, and you’ll benefit little in warmth from making a garment very heavy. Be careful to choose a yarn weight appropriate to the object you’re knitting.
As some rough guidelines I would recommend:
2ply
Fine Lace Knit Scarves
Fine Shawls
Baby Garments
4ply
Scarves- lace and rib knit
Baby Garments
Ladies Cardigans
Gloves
Double Knit
EVERYTHING!
Hats
Scarves
Wristwarmers
Cardigans, Sweaters, Baby wear
Teddy bears
Aran
Handbags
Teddy Bears
Tea Cozies
Mittens
These are just rough suggestions of how to use the yarn. I have seen some amazing knitwear produced by knitters purchasing our yarn who have used it in ways that we don’t. A lady recently completed a stunning aran weight sweater- an amazing piece of work in a yarn worthy of the hours of time put into the piece. I have also seen wonderful hats done in 4ply and 2ply ladies sweaters (not for the faint hearted knitter).
Colour
One of the greatest features of the alpaca is that is comes in such a wide spectrum of natural colours. From white through to black with greys, browns and fawns in between. If you are going for natural undyed yarns you should be aware that although all coming off the same breed of animal, the texture and handle of the different colours can sometimes vary greatly. The white and cream yarns are usually the softest due to far more years selective breeding in South America. However, there are exceptions to this, and the UK is now producing top quality brown animals (check out our credentials in the BAS National Show Ring 2006/2007). ‘Baby Alpaca’ blends are guaranteed to be incredibly soft and slippy, as these batches only contain the softest and youngest fleeces regardless of whether they are grey, black or cream.
Tension
Due to the softness and soapy texture of alpaca, some knitters find that in order to get the correct gauge they move onto a smaller needle size than recommended for the weight. If you are aware that you generally are quite a loose knitter then I would advise doing so. ALWAYS check your tension before you begin a project because you are using a new natural material and it will not always respond in as unformed way as mass produced and computer-spun acrylic.
Needles
I have known people recommend using wooden needles to knit alpaca with. The ‘give’ in the natural needle, in comparison to the steel or plastic needle, seems to give you greater control and pleasure over knitting with the yarn. This is in no way essential, it’s just a nice thing to have when ‘knitting natural’- in fact most of my knitters choose to use steel needles.
Washing
As you’re knitting with a natural fibre it is important to handwash your knitting after you’ve finished. I would recommend using a delicate/natural detergent, something as easy to get hold of as Woolite (which can be bought at all supermarkets) is fine. Fill your sink with tepid water and allow your item to soak for 10-15 mins. After you have rinsed you can gently spin the item in the washing machine to remove excess water. Dry flat to avoid any misshaping. I would recommend allowing your item to dry slowly- don’t force dry on top of an aga or boiler. The handle of alpaca seems to alter when it is dried out too fast- it almost goes brittle to touch. Patience is the key to retaining the buttery soft feeling.
Voila- easy alpaca!
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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kerry_Bettinson |
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Alpaca Fiber and Its Uniqueness
Posted on | February 20, 2008
Alpacas are the premier domestic animals that inhabit the country of Peru. The Moche people who occupy the Peruvian countryside have for several years domesticated the alpaca and these animals are usually to be found grazing in the southern part of the Peruvian landscape, about 3500 to 5000 meters above the sea level. Nowadays the alpaca is widely preserved in the country of Peru and one of the key reasons behind this is the fiber which is obtained form the alpacas. It is known that the alpaca fiber is available in Peru in as many as 52 natural colors and it is of enormous value in the textile industry. One of the major characteristics of the alpaca fiber is its hypoalllergic quality and in terms of texture it is extremely smooth and silky, light in weight and warm as well. It was in Peru that the Amerindians used the alpaca fiber in creating different kinds of garments initially and it is only in recent times that it has emerged as a profitable commercial product and various items made from this alpaca fiber like ponchos, sweaters, gloves, blankets and socks are sold in the world market.
Alpacas are usually white in color though there are various other colored alpacas also available like in browns and fawn colors. It is this white colored alpaca fiber which is primarily in demand especially in South America. In terms of quality the alpaca fiber is quite sleek and lustrous and its fineness is of considerable help to the spinners who find it easy to create a yarn and weave or knit through it. In case of obtaining the fleece form the alpacas it is necessary to remember that the whole amount of fleece obtained is not necessarily of excellent quality and therefore the ‘guard hair’ possessed by the alpacas are to be removed before any form of spinning.
Alpacas are mainly of two kinds and therefore the quality of fiber extracted from them is also different. The Suri alpaca is very well preserved for the softness and silky nature of its fleece and it comprises about 20% of the total alpaca population. On the other hand, the fiber produced by the Huacaya alpaca is quite dense and soft. The alpaca fiber may become thicker in case the animal is exposed to over nutrition. Warm clothing made form alpacas fibers are in high demand among outdoor sport buffs and its light weight and warmth are perfect for this purpose.
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Alpaca products are becoming popular. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roberts_Bairds |
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