I still have SO much alpaca to spin into yarn. It’s daunting and makes me happy at the same time. It feels like I’ll never make my way through it all, but I know if I just spend a bit of time every night doing some spinning, eventually I’ll reach the end. Of this one bag. We’ll see about the 5 other bags I have.
I’m spinning this for a three ply, with no idea what I’ll use it for. Maybe a hap. Maybe a shall. Maybe I’ll blend it with something because alpaca on its own can be a bit difficult. That’s something to think about for 2021.
I didn’t have a lot of goals set up for myself in 2020 as far as knitting is concerned, but I did have a few. My main goal was to get at least 12 projects done – roughly one each month. This goal did well, I completed 19 projects in 2020. Some were small, dishcloths. Others were larger, I did two blankets early in the year.
Another goal was to master double knitting. Didn’t happen, so I’m going to move that goal to 2021, and hopefully I’ll actually accomplish it.
Overall, I’m pleased. I got some socks knit up, both hand knit and machine knit. I got some hats done, a shawl, a scarf. I did some spinning (though not as much as I would like). I have set up my knitting machine but I have yet to actually knit with it – I need some better yarn, first. My favourite knit are my ‘For the Horde’ mittens which were a lot of intense colourwork. They look incredible. I gifted a set of ‘RCMP’ wash cloths and that was fun too. For 2021 I hope to complete another 12 projects – but I also want to make progress on my scrap blanket, and on more Christmas balls. I just didn’t have the time this year, and my hands have been giving me some serious pains which make everything more difficult.
I’m having a lot of fun knitting this Silver Bell Sweater (pattern found on Ravelry). It’s an oversized sweater that you would wear with a camisole under with a pair of nice jeans – perfect for the holidays at home. There’s 6″ of positive ease, so it should fit nice and large. I’m knitting it with an alpaca blend, and I know it will require some blocking, but I love the colour and I just love how it’s turning out so far. It is also a neat construction. You knit it from the bottom up, separating after the body to a front left / right panel and the back piece. The shoulders are joined with a 3 needle bind off which I still have to learn. I’m working on the second front piece now, then the back, then the sleeves, neck, and cuffs. I can’t wait to see the finished product!
I managed to craft the very first advent ball out of 24 – and my hands are in a lot of pain lately so I’m not sure if I can realistically keep up, but I sure want to. I have a secret silly dream of one day having an entire tree decorated with hand knit decorations.
I bought a LOT of raw alpaca a few months back, and very slowly I’ve been spinning it into yarn. I still have a LOT to get through, but I’m taking my time and enjoying the spin. It’s probably one of the more enjoyable fibers I’ve worked with. On my wheel right now is fiber from a 14oz bag of mill ends I purchased. Once I have three bobbins filled I’ll ply them together. I normally do a lot of two ply yarns, but three ply is just beautiful.
stargrace 
