Iris' Knit n Things

Come take a knitting class and learn how to knit. I'll be your instructor and would love to show you this fun and easy technique. Joann's Fabric

Is it safe to come out yet? It's been a crazy week. I wonder if the Total Eclipse had anything to do with all the crazy weather we've been getting these few months?  Normally, this is my most favorite time of the year. It's when the weather is perfectly suited to create all kinds of lovely wooly sweaters, socks and whatever my mind can conjure up. This year, I am so into vests. It's never cold enough here for most wool sweaters, but a vest can be just the thing to keep you comfortably toasty. The trick is the colors, making vest with the brightest, sunny colors, to keep you alert and ready to deal with the fact that "Winter is coming!" I've been blending wool to make wool Rolags. I sell these blended Rolags to spinners. They're so much fun to spin, making the process easier as well, since there's less drafting to do as you spin the wool. Here's a couple of pictures of some of my samples. This one is a blend of Silk, wool, and alpaca. I jus

Can't wait to sit out here with a nice cold drink and some knitting. There's still more work to do in order to complete this project. I have to paint and seal the wood in order to protect from the weather. I will probably wait till fall where we normally get our spring like weather. Promise to post after pic of completed DIY.

Girlfriend is getting four alpacas for her hobby farm and I get to visit them any time!  This is her with two of her alpacas, the brown one is a female, who is pregnant, the white one is a cria who was born in September, and already is showing to have an impressive grade of wool. Who knows maybe I'll even get to buy one of her crias (baby Alpaca) and have her provide boarding for a fee, until I can get my own hobby farm. For now, I'll live vicariously through her, as I learn more about the husbandry of owning Alpacas.

Another year to head on down to the Buena Vista, Alpaca Farm in Beach Island, South Carolina, to help John get his' alpacas ready for shearing. This year the herd has grown and he had over 40 alpacas. Most were pretty easy to lead to the shearer, and others put up a fight. One even knock me down to the ground. Luckily, I landed on my butt so, all is well. This year we took my boyfriends' granddaughter Kalena with us, and she had a great time. If any one is looking for Alpaca wool to spin, go check out John Trolley at the Buena Vista, Alpacas farm, in Beach Island, South Carolina. He has a great selection of wool at really great prices. The color range is amazing. If you're interested in becoming an Alpaca Farmer, he also has alpacas for sell. With your alpaca purchase you also get to breed with some of his price winning breeder male Alpacas and I have some of their wool and it is to die for. Let him know I sent you and he may even give you a discount. Kalena and

This year began pretty hard for me. Which is why I've just now had a chance to post a blog. Still in between it all, knitting, spinning and sewing has kept me sane. It really is a great form of therapy.  Now spring is here and nature is starting to blossom. It's looking pretty bright for us all. I like to give this lady a big hug, she's really been a strong woman  She had Cancer surgery in February. She really is an amazing woman with a good heart.