Iris' Knit n Things

 My very first Haapsalu Shawl! Pattern used was free, online, called EZ 100th Anniversary PI Shawl: Camping. Designed as a tribute to Elizabeth Zimmerman's 100th Birthday. Four years ago. The yarn was Clouds from Knit Picks, baby alpaca, in a light pink color. It's perfect for knitting during the hot days of summer.

Fancy Kitty Front View Fancy Kitty Side View This is not a torture device my friends, but a Drum Carder from Fancy Kitty . Used to process wool into batting, or roving for spinning. What it does is comb your fiber out and and remove some bits and pieces of vegetable matters in the end it will produce some fluffy wool which can be easily drafted for spinning. Happy Spinning.

I found an inexpensive way to dry my alpaca wool, using PVC pipes, and some burlap cloth in which I've made a stand to place my wool to dry out in the sun, and it's working wonderfully. I love that I can just take it apart and store away for the next batch of wool. Here you see a picture of  some baby alpaca in white and black wool which I've wash with some Kookaburra Delicate wool wash, it makes the wool smell lovely, not to mention the affect it has from drying out in the sun, which brings out the natural Tea Tree and Lavender oils scent to full bloom. It 's so light and soft that once it's completely dry, I must quickly remove or a light wind will blow them all over the place  (Ask me how I know?) I must keep an eye out for birds as well, they seem to love alpaca wool to build into their nests, I've seen several nest around my yard nicely engineered  with intertwining of Spanish moss, wool and twigs. Birds are so creative. I am so looking forward to c