Alpaca shearing

The past two weeks have been really busy, and I didn't get a chance to post. Sunday the 10th was just a fantastic day for my husband and I: we went Alpaca shearing. Well the actual shearing was done by a professional (I wouldn't trust my clumsy husband with a sharp razor around those sweet animals), who did a great job shearing and teaching us all sorts of things about the alpacas. He was a very interesting man, who had an interesting life, but managed to keep a certain balance between a career in finances and consulting, and shearing and owning a sheep farm.

The alpacas each have their own character, and each one reacted differently to the shearing process. Some were absolutely petrified and froze, others fought with all they had, others became a nervous wreck and started barfing, as other angrier would start spitting at anybody who dared come close to them. For the nervous, the timid, the angry, there was this wonderful lady that would calm them down, massaging their neck, talking to them and reassuring them, putting a towel over their head so they wouldn't see what was happening and freak out. My husband and I called her "The Alpaca Whisperer".

There were quite a few volunteers (at least five of them teachers), and everybody was full of enthusiasm. There were both knitters (or crocheters) and non-knitters, a weaver, and some alpaca owners. Everybody pitched in and completed the tasks assigned with equal effort and enthusiasm. My husband and I got to clean the alpacas, and we couldn't believe what a messy little alpaca California Girl was (more on that shortly). I also got to sort the fleece (so amazingly soft), trim the hair on their paws and head (some pretty funky but stylish alpacas run around Brantford now), and herd them as well. My husband specialized in leg-holding for a while, after helping me clean California Girl for half an hour. As you can see (click on the pic to enlarge), she had hay, dried grass, and mud all over herself. She must have had quite a party earlier that week. To add to that, after we finished cleaning her, we took a break and had lunch, and came back to .... California Girl rolling in the hay again. What could we do but laugh.

Despite being messy, California Girl's fleece has an amazing texture, and variety of colour. I just can't wait to see the finish product! And speaking of finished product.... here's the CG herself after a little trim. She was actually pretty good on the table for a first timer. She put up a respectable fight (afterall, one must at least pretend not to like it, but it must be quite a relief to get rid of that heavy coat), but then quickly relaxed in the gentle arms of the Alpaca Whisperer.

Tagged

I got tagged by KB, for this one...

Here are the rules:Each person tagged gives 7 random facts about themselves. Those tagged need to write in their blogs the 7 facts, as well as the rules of the game. You need to tag seven others and list their names on your blog. You have to leave those you plan on tagging a note in their comments so they know that they have been tagged and to read your blog.

1. I had my first Chihuahua when I was fourteen. She was the same colours as Sophie. I called her Ozzy after Ozzy Osbourne (dating myself here). She was a great dog, and I taught her many stupid tricks, like to bark at the moon. She died two days after turning sixteen.


2. I only have one ovary. About eight years ago I had this mysterious pain in my abdomen, and after multiple laparoscopies to remove any possible endometriosis, my gynecologist suggest the removal of the ovary. At that time, I just couldn't cope with the pain, and multiple failed treatments, so I agreed, but unfortunately the pain came back again. One day, I was chatting with a friend on Yahoo, and he said my symptoms sounded a bit like when he had a hernia and I should get checked. That's what the pain was: a hernia in my appendectomy scar!


3. My sister and I are dreaming about having our own sheep farm (or any other animal that produces yarn), or a yarn shop, or both. We've promised each other that if one of us wins big at lottery, that's our first expense. I think that the yarn store is more practical, as we can travel to find new yarn for the business.


4. I absolutely LOVE lilacs. Unfortunately, living in a condo doesn't allow for a backyard where I may plant to my heart's content. However, I have found a dwarf variety of lilac that can grow in pots, and my tree is now blooming for the third year.


5. When I was about eight, our house got hit by lightning. That was a very scary experience for the whole family. To this day, I still hate thunder storms, but I have learned to enjoy their beauty.


6. This is my 105th post, and my bloganniversary was in March but I forgot about it.


7. I shop and knit for Christmas all year long. I try to have my shopping all done by October, because I hate busy malls. I try to knit gifts for as many family and friends as possible, even if it's a quick knit. People usually seem to appreciate the hand-made gifts more, and I like making them feel special.

More Applelaine

About two weeks ago I ordered more Applelaine from Pick-up Sticks, but just didn't have much time to post about it (also had to play with my new camera). I bought 3 skeins of each colour. The top colour is called Eye Candy, and the bottom is Winter Dawn. Of course, this is going in the sock yarn stash and someone will have new socks for Christmas. Hubby really likes the Winter Dawn, but so does my sister. I must admit I really like it too.

My sister-in-law had hinted that she wouldn't be upset if she got an alpaca hat. A while ago, she lost her favourite hat ever, which was made of alpaca (not hand-knitted, mind you) and kept her real warm during those nasty canadian winters. Although she claims to hate winter, they've always lived in cities that have heavy snowfall during the winter. As she kindly reminded us on our wedding day, we mustn't forget that it's not only our anniversary, but also her birthday. So here you go, happy belated birthday Sandra! (Yes I know I haven't mailed it yet, as I just finished it.)

Lilac festival

This weekend was our fifth wedding anniversary. My husband decided to do a surprise day trip to the Royal Botanical Garden's Lilac Festival. It was stunning! Sadly, since my chronic sinusitis, my sense of smell has been greatly affected and I could only smell the stronger varieties. Still, it was fabulous and just perfect for me to test my new digital camera. Much better close-ups!

Meeting Elisabetha from Bamboo Sticks

On Saturday, Sophie and I met Elisabetha from Bamboo Sticks. She was part of a Craft Fair at Good Catch. Unfortunately, Sophie was a little grumpy (and I'm being generous here) that day, and was not showing her best behaviour. For some reason, she doesn't like hands moving much, therefore people who speak with their hands got barked at (bad pup!). So when Elisabetha tried to shake hands with me, she got barked at (and I was really embarassed). When I paid her for the wonderful things I bought from her (see here), (and here), and she handed my change back.... bark, bark again. Elisabetha, I'm so, so sorry Sophie was so badly behaved! I was so looking forward to meeting you, and this rotten little pup's behaviour rushed our meeting. You were really nice about it and didn't make a big deal about it, but really Sophie was a little pest that day. So sorry!

Sophie's new friend

Here's Sophie's new friend, Mila. She's a mini Daschund, and almost three months. Sophie insisted I knit a little sweater for her new friend, so here it is...

I'll have to knit her a new one when fall comes, and this time I'll make it longer to cover her body properly, and I'll have to watch for the leg location. I think this one's legs were too close together. Her movements seemed restricted when she was walking with her sweater on. Maybe I'll look for a breed specific pattern. I wonder if it exist...

Wild yarn

Knitters are definitely a wild bunch! I had read about Nomad Yarns (camel hair that is gathered, and handspun by nomads in Mongolia) in Vogue Kitting, but when I looked at their website, it was just at it's infancy and hadn't much information and no retailer list yet. Now it's full of information on the yarn, the process, retailers, kits available, etc.

Then I started thinking "Hmmmmm I wonder what other "wild yarn" is available?". So I started googling and found: Muskox, and Buffalo, Guanacos, Llama, and Yak, I even thought I found Moose yarn but then found out it's the name they give to the yarn, it's not actually made of moose.

Let me know if you find more...

Long due update

I've been real busy for the past few weeks. It's our fiscal year-end at work, and they are extremely thorough about it. Nothing must be left uncompleted, unexplained, and everything must be documented. Mind you, the perfectionist in me has nothing against it, except it took away a fair bit of my knitting time. I was glad to see Friday evening arrive, but was too tired to knit.

In knitting news, I completed Sophie's blanket, or at least the knitting part of it. I still have to take care of those loose ends. I've also learned that my friend Nathalie will have a baby boy, so I'll be knitting boy clothes for the end of August, or beginning of September. Saturday I started a little blanket, and will probably be posting pictures later when I buy a new camera. I'm getting tired of my camera not taking good close-up, so if yours is great for close-up please drop me a line and let me know what model you have. Back to knitting, YAY!

Book purchases

Chapters-Indigo had a book sale, so I went to spend time on their site on Friday...

I found two Debbie Bliss books at $4.99 each. Of course I couldn't resist, and besides I'll need ideas for Natalie's baby (ultrasound will reveal gender on April 12th, mommy's birthday). The first book is Nursery Knits, and the other is Quick Baby Knits.

Then I got Vogue Knitting on the Go: Chunky Scarves and Hats for $14.40. Not exactly a huge saving, but I could use some new ideas for next Christmas. Yes I start planning the gifts early.

The book I'm most excited about is actually a Knitting Journal. I've been looking for a practical one for a long time. This one comes with a place for notes, photos, labels, and yarn samples. It also has a needle inventory sheet, ruler, and measurement conversion chart. I was glad to see that all four were available, and ready to ship. I guess sometime during the week I should get them.

Dulaan update

My Dulaan items are ready to ship. I was hoping to knit more items than last year, but I know I won't have much time to knit anything else but baby clothes, and Christmas gifts. I didn't do better than last year, but at least I didn't do worse. I knitted exactly the same amount: eight.

I have four scarves, three hats, and pair of socks. I can now e-mail Ryan at Mossy Cottage Knits, and let her know I've finished my five items.

Happy April Fool's day!

The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year. -- Mark Twain

Tiny sock

Look what came all the way from Paris (Texas, that is). My tiny sock! It came cheerfully packaged in a goodie bag, and the nicest letter from my secret pal, Renna. Unfortunately, she might not have a blog (didn't see a blog address) so I can't link to her.

She made my tiny sock with Bernat Sox yarn. I had no clue that Bernat made sock yarn, and that it's that soft. Renna stated that she's a new knitter, but I think she did a pretty good job with her sock. Don't you think?


The red candy is an Anderson's Peanut Rounder, and it's produced in Blossom Texas. Renna says that Blossom is "one of those places where if you blink you'll miss it". Can't wait to eat it!

March stash enhancement

March has seen a big stash enhancement (and the month is not over yet). I finally had some time to sit down and enjoy the new yarn.


First, I had started a new pair of socks for myself the second week of March, and Finished them last weekend. The yarn was bought during my big birthday yarn extravaganza. It's Phildar Auteuil, and the colour is called "Iris". It's 80% acrylic, 20% wool, and surprisingly soft. I bought 3 balls of it at Romni Wools.


Left, Phildar Auteuil, Patons Soy Wool Stripes, and Smart Superwash.


I'm quite curious about knitting with the soy yarn. It's 70% wool, 30% soy, real soft, and the colour is called "Natural Navy" (pic is real dark). I got three balls of it, and hubby has been hinting it would look nice around his neck next winter.

I was attracted to the lime/purple combination of the Smart Superwash yarn, and having knitted a pair of socks with it in the past, knew I would enjoy another pair of it (or somebody else would). I took home two balls of it.


Next: Yarns from Lettuce Knit.

Misty Cotton is a Misty Alpaca yarn, and it is as soft as Pima Cotton can be. I just fell in love with it, and can't decide what I want to do with it. Maybe something for Natalie's baby if it's a boy. Two balls is probably sufficient for a sweater, or a cardigan.

The Jitterbug yarn is mine all mine! I just love those brown tones, and these will match perfectly with my brown flannel pajama. I can't believe I only bought one skein of it!

Next two yarns are the ever popular hand painted Sweet Georgia, and I was told they flew off the shelves at Lettuce Knit. The first skein is called "Angel" and there's already three requests for socks with this colourway, but only two skeins. The second colourway is called "Libertine", but I wonder if the name has scared potential sock owners away. No requests so far.


This yarn is part of the Huge Knitomatic Sale. At $1, who can resist? Not me! I came out with 24 balls.
The grey yarn is Sisik, and it's made of 30% wool, 30% mohair, 34% acrylic, and 6% viscose. Good for some medium size future project.
Next two balls are Marble and it's 100% acrylic. Not that I'm a yarn snob, but for $1 for 100g this is a darn good looking colourway.
Next, from Filatura is Ontario (both first and last of bottom row). It's 83% wool, 17% acrylic, and would be perfect for a scarf.
The blue/grey mix is Tessa from Online. It's 100% virgin wool, and I could only fine one ball, but I'm sure I'll put it to good use.

First KAL

If you tought Sophie is small, look at the result of my first knit along patricipation: my Tiny Wee Sock.

Feel free to have alook at the gallery

The huge Knitomatic sale

I had seen on their blog Knitomatic Knitomatic was having a huge sale. It stated "We're digging into the yarns of years past in our basement and putting it all on SUPER SALE!" I really didn't expect such huge discounts. There was boxes, after boxes of yarn at $1 a ball. A woman has no chance to win against such a monstrous sale, so I gave up and bought 24 balls at $1. My mom who's visiting, and my sister bought even more. We came back home laughing all the way at the deals we had. I think I'm going to start digging holes in the walls to store all that yarn. For the past month I have been binge buying like crazy.

Soon, you'll start seeing me posting baby knits. No, I'm not pregnant, but my friend Natalie is. I taught her how to knit about 4 years ago, and since then she's mostly been knitting baby sweaters for vatious other friends who had babies. Needless to say, she's not in the mood to knit more baby stuff.