We’ve been raising alpacas for quite a few years, and now suddenly they’ve become popular! They seem to be everywhere, and on everything. There are some darling knitting and crochet patterns for alpacas and llamas, as well as purses, backpacks, finger puppets, pillows, hats and mittens, shaped like or adorned with these magical creatures!
Some still mistake alpacas for llamas, and vice versa. The size difference between alpacas and llamas is obvious, but the other distinct difference is their ears. Alpacas have smaller, spear shaped ears and llamas have larger, banana shaped ears. Find out more by reading 6 Differences Between Llamas and Alpacas by Modern Farmer.
I ran across a knitting pattern this morning for Susie Rogers’ Reading Mitts, which seems appropriate to post as I look outside after yet another snowfall! Seems like it’s been an awfully long winter in Ohio, but I’m very happy to see the sunshine peek in and out.
These mitts are a quick and easy knit made from our Classic Alpaca Yarn by The Alpaca Yarn Company in the color, White House. Susie writes, “This may very well be the softest, squishiest yarn I have ever laid my hands on.”
This yarn is 100% Alpaca, so it is also super warm, perfect for weather in Ohio. Fingerless gloves made from alpaca are also very useful in cold offices throughout the year!
This pattern is FREE, and written for three different sizes, also in four different languages! It calls for size US 5 – 3.75 knitting needles, and 200-210 yards of DK weight yarn. Simple and pretty!
This was a FREE knitting pattern I picked up at JoAnn Fabrics, also available on the Lion Brand website, and Ravelry. It is an easy beginner’s pattern.
I substituted one of our Snuggle yarns for the Lion Brand Yarn that the pattern called for. Both the Snuggle Yarn and the Wool-Ease Thick & Quick Yarn are considered Super Bulky weight at 5-6 wraps per inch.
Tis the season to be crocheting up some Elf Slippers! This super cute crochet pattern was designed by KJ Hay and calls for a bulky weight yarn and and a US I-9 (5.5mm) crochet hook. It is written for sizes XS to XL.
I’m thinking the perfect yarn would be our Snuggle bulky weight alpaca blend yarn. Oh would these slippers be soft and warm!
I’d choose the colors Jubilee, Snow White, and either Shire or Pine Tree for the green. Not exactly the same as the picture, but I like this combination.
The pattern suggests jingle bells or pompoms for the toe. I definitely would opt for pompoms, thinking the jingle of the bells might get a little tiresome!
I think I’ll try a pair, in a small size, which would be really cute, don’t you think?
I used the pattern called Lost in Time on the Mijo Crochet website for this beautiful alpaca shawl.
Johanna Lindah, who designed this pattern, lives in Sweden, and has included 12 different translations of the pattern, including English, lucky for me. I love the vintage look, and all the different stitches she has included, which just makes this project so interesting and fun! Her pattern is a repetition of 12 rows, and because I like to combine colors, I used 12 different alpaca yarn colors, some solid colors, some hand painted, some tone-on-tone.
Johanna put tassels on her shawls, which I opted not to do, just thought the edge was so pretty all by itself.
You can use any yarn, or hook, and customize your shawl size by the number of repetitions. Using a 4.0mm (G) Hook, the finished dimensions of the shawl I made were 72″ across x 42″ from the center to the point of the triangle, and took 1015 yards.
Stitches used in this pattern (US terms): Ch -chain Sl st – slip stitch Sc – single crochet Dc – double crochet Fp dc – front post double crochet Bp dc – back post dc Popcorn Picot with 2 ch
Several stitches you might not be familiar with are the Picot Stitch and the Popcorn Stitch. Check out the helpful tutorials below:
It is a perfect pattern for our NEW Mini Madness Yarn Packs. I’m thinking with one size smaller crochet hook than what I used, 900 yards would work for this shawl.
Be sure to check out the pictures that the designer has included with the pattern. She has made this shawl in solid colors too, which are also very pretty!
Summer is the time for crochet patterns that call for lightweight yarn, not too heavy or too warm while lying in your lap, easy to pick up and take with you on a road trip, sitting in the doctor’s office, even to the ball park. We have a handful of different Fingering Weight alpaca yarns … Mariquita, and Paca Peds from The Alpaca Yarn Company, and several of our lines of Farm Yarn from our own alpacas. I’ve put together a collection of twenty of my favorite free crochet patterns, most of them requiring just one skein of fingering weight yarn. Hope you find one you like, and then come back and purchase the yarn you need here by clicking one of the above links!
This is a simple crochet pattern for fingerless mitts using our Snuggle Yarn. The color pictured is called Knot of Naturals. All but the foundation row uses half double crochets, with four different rows crocheted in the black loop only, creating texture in this simple design. These fingerless mitts work up quickly in this bulky alpaca blend yarn.
This pattern is a good one for using up leftover yarn, which is what I was doing. For this shawl, I used five different colors of our Astral Yarn. If you happen to be using leftover yarn, use your smaller lengths of yarn first. The rows will get longer as you work, so you’ll want to save the yarns you have more of for later in the project.
The pattern instructions won’t tell you when to change yarn colors. Change colors as you see fit, making sure to switch colors after completing a row so each stripe is a solid color.
NOTES
This shawl is worked from the center of the wingspan out and downward. Constructing it in this manner means that you can continue until the shawl is the desired size without making any modifications to the pattern. Each row of the shawl increases by 4 stitches. There will be 1 stitch increased at each end and 2 stitches increased at the center point. Using locking ring markers to note the center 2 stitches will help prevent loosing your place. The pattern notes when to begin using them.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
I crocheted 52 rows and the finished measurements were approximately 60 inches/ 152.4cm across the top, is 29 inches/ 73.66cm long from neck to point of triangle, and 76 inches/ 193cm around the bottom edge.
DIRECTIONS
Ch 4 loosely, 2 hdc in 2nd ch from hook, 2 hdc in each of the next 2 ch sts — 6 hdc.
Row 1: Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, 1 hdc in next st, [2 hdc in next st] twice, hdc in next st, 2 hdc in last st — 10 hdc.
Row 2: Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc in next 3 sts, [2 hdc in next st] twice, hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in last st — 14 hdc.
Place locking stitch markers on the center 2 sts. To do this begin counting at one edge and place marker on the 7th and 8th hdc st.
Row 3: Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st with stitch marker, replace marker on last st made, 2 hdc in next st with marker, replace marker on first st made, hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in last st — 18 hdc.
Row 4: Ch 1, 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in next st with stitch marker, replace marker on last st made, 2 hdc in next st with marker, replace marker on first st made, hdc in next 5 sts, 2 hdc in last st — 18 hdc.
*Continue working Row 4 until shawl is desired measurements. Be careful to place the stitch markers on the second of each increased stitch or the center point will begin to veer off in the wrong direction.
Finishing Fasten off and weave in ends. I always like to block my projects for a nicer finish. To do this wash or simply wet your shawl, roll in a towel to absorb excess moisture, then stretch your shawl out on a flat surface. Gently shape your shawl to your satisfaction and let dry. Did your shawl come out slightly smaller than you anticipated? It is made out of natural fiber so you can block it to larger dimensions.
Crochet Abbreviations * = a repeat in the pattern [ ] = repeat instructions within brackets as many times as indicated ch = chain hdc = half double crochet inc(‘d) = increase(d) st(s) = stitch(es)
I use this pattern by Prague Loop over and over. This scarf was made with our 100% Alpaca Swizzle Yarn, and took just one skein of yarn for a scarf that measured 60″ long by 5.5″ wide. The scarf is worked lengthwise, back and forth in rows, and gauge is not important. Any yarn could be used and any size hook. Super easy one row scarf, very suitable for beginners.
The color of the Swizzle Yarn pictured above is called Goldenrod.
One skein each of Swizzle Alpaca Yarn, color Plum Perfection, our Astral Yarn, color Libra, and our Classic Baby Alpaca Yarn, color called White House or colors of your own choosing. Tapestry Needle for sewing in the ends
NOTE
Note: Each row increases by 8 st.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
66 inches/ 167.64 cm across the top, and 31 inches/78.74 cm long from neck to point of triangle
Click here for the pattern, and see the color changes below:
DIRECTIONS
Plum Perfection – PP Libra – L White House – WH
Ch 3, sl st to first ch to make ring, using Plum Perfection (PP)
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