Hats and Love and Alpacas!

Right off the bat I have to tell you that I do NOT have a lot of natural art and craft talent. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy creating things with my own 2 hands, because I certainly do. But coming easy and natural? Not so much. Sitting down and creating a pattern would be incredibly stressful for me and I’m in such awe of my friends who have that ability. Kind folks and family have tried to teach me how to knit for way too many years now and I can be enthusiastic for about 6 hours then I’m done. But, I am enjoying learning how to crochet and I really love using my sewing machine. So…where am I going with this one? Well, it’s like this. I have bushels of Alpaca fleece from our herd back in Washington and I had it spun into the most gorgeous, soft, warm yarn you have ever touched! The colors are all natural, just as they came off the Alpaca.  See that white? It’s from my favorite girl, Ms. Crack of Dawn. The dark chocolate brown is none other than my Big Mac, more formally known as MacTarnahan. And the luscious medium warm brown is our late great Medallion.

They are all so special to me.

Each of these yarns mean something unique to me. Just running my hands around each skein evokes special memories. Dawn being “Auntie Dawn” to all the new cria and never letting them out of her sight. Dawn, tossing me up in the air and me landing flat on my back in the pasture with her on top of me when we were trimming her nails. MacTarnahan leading me on a merry chase around the pasture non flipp’n stop each and every time we need to do herd health. I swear he was laughing at me. Medallion. The pride and relief we felt when he placed first in his class at a show validating all the hard work we were doing! Medallion, my best guy, taking carrots from my hand and waiting for more! I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but when you have such memories and lovely yarns, you want to do something special with it and not just make it a commercial product.

Medallion!

Our Alpaca herd.

So, here I sit with little talent and much yarn. That’s where this nifty little knitting machine comes in! I can make lovely, one of a kind hats with the gorgeous yarns I have on hand and never pick up a knitting needle. I still feel somewhat talented as I have to design and work the machine, making sure all goes well, then take the hat off the knitter and finish it by hand. I know I have created, with love, a beautiful hat that is sure to be a favorite of the recipient and I know my animals fleece is used well and not wasted.

My little knitting helper.

My yarn winding helper. Everyone should have one of them!

Needles loaded and getting started!

The tube hat is growing!

Almost done. And then this turns into…..

this.  And then….

this.   And these go out to loved ones. What can be better?

I mean, here I am in Germany, making kind use of the awesome fleece our Washington State Alpacas provide. We don’t hurt our animals. In fact, we help them by removing their heavy, hot coats.  The natural colors with their never ending variety,sheen, luster and softness, amaze me. Knowing I can offer a handmade gift of love is priceless.

Wherever your journey takes you today. I wish for you, a peaceful heart and the knowledge that you are loved.

Journey on!

Karen