Sunday, September 6, 2009

Alpaca Scarf - Start to Finish

My goal for this scarf project was to see if I would be happy spinning and knitting with a single ply yarn. My thoughts have always been that a single would slant and perhaps even fall apart.
I started with a couple year's growth of white alpaca fleece from the handsome Target who lives with Chris and Jenn in St. Louis, Michigan.

To Target's fleece I added a few pounds of white merino that I purchased from the McMurrays' who have the shop Genopalette on Etsy. They always provide me with the most awesome, clean sheep fleece imaginable.
So below is little Max with this huge bag of top beautifully processed at Zeilingers' in Frankenmuch, Michigan.

I dyed up a few pounds of the top in my crock pot and have some still listed in my shop (This isn't the same dye lot as my scarf)

I spun 2.6 ounces of the dyed top rather tight for me. I was really afraid it would fall apart, but I didn't need to worry. I washed the yarn in hot water and agitated it a little so that it would felt some. It did just that, stayed together, but retained its lovely softness.

....and here, TA,DAHHHHHH, is my scarf.

It is for sale in my shop here if you want to look more.
In conclusion - YES! I will continue to knit with a single ply yarn, but I will probably always worry about the possibility of a slant - probably never doing a vest or sweater, anything large....

8 comments:

Crazy Lady with purple fingers said...

I love your post about knitting with a single ply of yarn as I have always been afraid of doing it as I was sure it would not work out....now that I think of it....I have a spool of singles sitting here...you have just encouraged me to try....love the scarf it is so beautiful,and the pink/blue roving looks good enough to eat.

Mare said...

Oh Maple, that is such a lovely scarf! And your colors are beautiful!

LINDA BYLSMA said...

That is beautiful, Maple. What a smart idea to sort of felt it! I'll give that a try.

critter Lover said...

Maple, you are a natural educator and scientist!... Always "wondering" about how to "experiment" with ideas! I think the scarf turned out LOVELY! And of course your colors are fabulous, as the artist in you never disappoints! I think it is GREAT that you are motivated to "TRY NEW THINGS!" Hurray for SINGLE PLY!

Tracy said...

Very nice all around. Love the colors and the stitch.

Mulchandmore said...

beautiful scarf. I have knitted singles in the round and that definitely shows the slant, until I felted it! Now you've encouraged me to try a non-felted project. (singles also work well for weaving.)

Leah Rachelle said...

What a lovely scarf! I too have always wanted to try knitting with singles, but I have been too scared. This has given me courage that it won't turn out all crazy! My problem is knowing how much I need to spin up.

AnneMarie said...

Good colors and excellent knitting! I may try that with my hand dyed single. The colors are so clear. Beautiful scarf!

Map