Oh, those muggy days of summer!

Hello friends,

Those muggy days of summer have arrived and I find myself only wanting to go outside during morning or evening hours. That hot, heavy afternoon weather is just not my cup of tea any longer!

I just finished a really pretty capelet using Highlander grey yarn and an old retro-looking button I had on hand. Since I don’t have someone to take a picture right now, I’m putting in the photo from the pattern found in the “Wrap Style” book on page 38 “Chanson en Crochet” by Mari Lynn Patrick. Her version is gorgeous!

I’ve decided to veer from the norm and am trying a crocheted vest using Vickie Howell’s “Love” yarn made with 70% bamboo and 30% silk. This yarn is “to die for!” and you can find it in our shop compliments of The Yarn Cat. I promise I’ll get a photo when it’s done (but don’t hold your breath!).

Partner Leann and I had a fun little excursion earlier this month by taking yarn, product and a few alpacas to Hubbard Hill Retirement Center in Elkhart. The residents enjoyed an hour-long visit and had many questions about the animals and products. One lady even tried on a very warm sweater made from my herd in very hot and humid weather, and she didn’t want to give it up! Now there’s someone who has great taste! :)

The crias are doing great and all the females are enjoying their “summer camp” in lush green pastures. We now look forward to our fall crias and receiving our yarn back from the mill!

Enjoy these sweet summer months. Warmly, Liz

The Yarn Shop

Happy summer!

"Fiber friend" Kim Freel will be joining Leann and I at the American Countryside Farmers Market as "The Yarn Cat". Beginning July 3 she will have her yarns for sale in our shop. Kim will carry many varieties including bamboo, cotton, silk and some fun and funky yarns too. Stop by and welcome Kim to the market and check out her wares!

And we are STILL waiting for Cookie to deliver that cria. It MUST be a girl!! :) Liz

Spring into summer

I’ve finally finished my Central Park Hoodie, wool version. Ta-da! I’ve also got both arms done on the “Mavic” alpaca version plus 2/3 of the back. I have quite a bit to go! We’ve been too busy with crias and shearing events to work on other projects. I’m looking forward to trying out some new patterns and learning new knitting and crochet stitches.

We have had one more cria – guess what! Another boy. Tess really “owed” us a girl this year (with the last 2 being boys) but she only gave us 50% of our wish. We had asked for a silver girl. Little “El Vaquero” is a gorgeous silver male with the cutest personality – like a curious little jumping bean! We still await Cookie’s cria … coming soon!!

Our final shearing event was held at the Shepherd’s Harvest Fiber Fair at the American Countryside Farmers Market last weekend. This is the first year for the fiber fair and it was small but the market plans to make this into one of their major events so we look forward to being part of it again next year!

Alpaca Outfitter’s partner, Leann and I have been talking about some new classes and workshops for this summer so stay tuned! If you’d like to sign up for our events or workshops list at the shop, please email me at liz@alpacaoutfitters.us with your full name and email address. We are once again making changes to the shop and it should be an exciting 2nd half of 2008!!

Watch for cria #4 this spring and then we start thinking about fall crias!! My favorite times of year spring and fall – shearing & crias!!

Warmly, Liz

Loads of fun on the farm!

Holy Moley! I've been busy lately!!

We’ve had a few crias arrive and await 2 more (what are they waiting for?). The first arrival was Megabuck’s Maximilion who is just awesome!! He’s out of our beautiful Mohana and a black herdsire from Washington. We expect him to grow up to be just like his daddy! So far, he’s looking great – very soft and curly; very upright with loads of presence.

Our second arrival was Caramello’s Tyra Bank’s – her daddy is our own Chumani. Cara and Tyra will be moving to New York soon but we are enjoying her while she’s here. She’s full of spunk and likes to sneak up and nibble on your clothing. Quite the little personality. Of course both moms are doing great and very proud of their little darlin’s!

We sheared our herd on May 3 and May 10 with only 1 dam left and 3 crias (once they all arrive). I'm halfway through skirting them and look forward to choosing what goes to the mill and what I will "attempt" to make time to process myself. I *do* have to spend some time just admiring and running my hands through the fleeces. I'm really pleased with them again this year!!

This coming weekend, Lee will be shearing at Prairie Trail Farm in Goshen, and I'll be demonstrating drop spindle and carding on a drum carder. If you can make it, stop on out! Prairie Trail has the cutest gift shop and greenhouse and is just a lovely spot altogether. We’ll be there from 10 until 2 shearing. A few of our maidens will accompany us – Nugget, Hottie & Rain – their first day off the farm! View PT's website at: http://www.prairietrailfarm.com/

I’m working on finishing my Central Park Hoodie wool version. It’s all done except one arm which needs to be attached. I left it off intentionally because it fit so perfect that I wanted to get my alpaca version knit up to the same length. That done, I’ll be finishing the wool one and washing – I can’t wait to feel the difference in that scratchy wool once washed! It’s really pretty and I’m dying to show it off next winter – ha!

Bye for now! I’ll try not to be so long with my updates.

Liz

Happy happy spring!!

I’ve been lax in posting lately – too much going on at the farm! We are awaiting crias, getting ready for shearing days, upcoming events, and of course trying to take some time to appreciate the spring weather which has finally arrived!

I’m coming down the finishing line of my green hoodie and will post pictures once done. I’m just starting up again on my alpaca version and so far it’s looking gorgeous and feels more decadent than it looks!

Warmly, Liz

Preferred Herd Sweater by Maggie!!

Hello!

I’d like to share the sweater friend, Maggie made from a few of our alpacas. Included are Tecumseh, Sarah, Snow Chief, Mavic, Je ne sais quio, and a few angora rabbits – names unknown.

Maggie has some of her “very fashionable” knitting in our Alpaca Outfitters shop and is teaching knitting for us as well. You can view her blog at www.magnoliablossomfiberarts.blogspot.com/.

The "headless" model is me. I'm not very photogenic I'm affraid!

Have a great day!

Introducing "Lily's Line" of ponchos

Things have been hectic lately. I've been getting my ducks in a row for the AAA shop at the Indiana Alpaca Invitation show in Ft. Wayne April 3-6. Some of the ponchos and serapes on display will include the "Aye Chiwawa" serape shown here. The first is a spicy little number and a real surprise for me. I'm not terribly fond of the yarn color but the end result has turned out to be a favorite!

The 2nd one I'd like to share is the "Ausengate" serape named after a mountain in Peru. The ancient Quecha legend: Ausangate is a magnificent snow-covered peak south of Cuzco, Peru, and the legendary source of llamas and alpacas. According to legend, Pachamama (Mother Earth) loaned alpacas and llamas so people of the puna could survive. Since the animals belong to Pachamama, they must be well-fed and never treated cruelly. If they are not properly cared for, Pachamama will call them back to Ausangate and people will disappear.

The 3rd is the "Firethorn" poncho. This is one of my personal favorites!! Along the edge are red stones which really set it off and make it special.

I can't wait to show off my line at the first alpaca show in Indiana!!!

Liz