Thursday, June 12, 2014
The alpaca industry has undergone a shake-down during the recession just like all industries in the U.S. Prices have gone down, just like the housing market. Some breeders have trimmed their herds down to the very best. Some have taken this opportunity to retire. Most of us have had a long dry spell in alpaca sales. What used to pass for moderate quality alpacas are now relegated to the “rug yarn” herd…or even the meat market.
There has been an increase in the pet/fiber market read more...
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Thursday, May 22, 2014
Small Farms are the wave of the present and the future. You have probably noticed that you can’t get very far off the main highway in any rural area before you see signs for small, sustainable organic farms. There is a wave of people who are headed back to the farm for various reasons—
to escape the Rat Race
to do something tangible and real
to get out of the traffic and the lights of the city
to give their children a healthier place to grow up
to get bac read more...
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Tuesday, May 6, 2014
To my Fiber-Minded Friends, near and far--
We are putting together a
Spinning/Knitting/Crocheting/Relaxing/Weaving/ Playing Retreat
this summer in Temecula at the Viña de Lestonnac Retreat Center, 39300 De Portola Road, Temecula, CA 92591.
DETAILS:
-Date: 25-27 July (anytime from 1pm on 25th until around 2pm on 27th)
-Cost: $240 pp
-Includes:
Double room with 2 single beds (or $100 extra for a private room);
One meal Friday, 3 Saturday, Brunch on Sunday;
Free coffee read more...
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Tuesday, May 6, 2014
KNITTING has experienced a revival in the last several years. In this day of electronics, many people are choosing to get in touch with some of the more tactile and traditional skills of human history. The Knitting Circle has become popular again. It might, at first glance, look like a group of Millenials texting on their phones, but it’s really a group of people (men too!) getting in touch with their fuzzier, warmer side by actually talking in person while they create something useful a read more...
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Friday, May 2, 2014
KNITTING has experienced a revival in the last several years. In this day of electronics, many people are choosing to get in touch with some of the more tactile and traditional skills of human history. The Knitting Circle has become popular again. It might, at first glance, look like a group of Millenials texting on their phones, but it’s really a group of people (men too!) getting in touch with their fuzzier, warmer side by actually talking in person while the read more...
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Monday, April 28, 2014
Pretty exciting times coming up… CRIA SEASON IS HERE!
Due Dates
Remember that due dates are like they are with people. Crias comes when they are really ready, not when the calendar says they will. In fact, at this time of year in California, anyway, they tend to run late. Our vet says not to worry until 2 weeks past a year before you think about intervention. A healthy womb is always better than the outside environment for that last little bit of gestation. We t read more...
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Friday, April 25, 2014
Ventoso's lustrous fleece!
Skirting is a dream come true… especially if you love alpaca fleece AND happen to be ADD with a little OCD thrown in for good measure. I just love to dump a fleece out of the bag onto the skirting table and take a good look at it. I learn a lot about my breeding program by skirting fleeces. Yes, it’s time-consuming, pains-taking, and it can even cause you to lose your perspective after you’ve done 10 or 12 of them. But it’s worth every minute.
Every fleece has its own character. Sometim read more...
Those little pieces shaken out of the skirted fleece, both on the table and on the floor.
The Mush Pot full of "skirtings"
Fleece full of unsavory crud.
Michelle's fleece, ready to be skirted.
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Monday, April 21, 2014
(1st published in PurelySuri Magazine, January 2014)
Harper's Suri Baby Blanket
My first grand baby was born in October, and I'm so excited! Knitting and I have never come to a meeting of the minds, but I love to crochet and have recently learned the Tunisian simple stitch. I was delighted by the thick, knit-like pattern it creates, so I set out to make a Baby Afghan with some super-silky 100% baby suri I had. I've also been experimenting with dyes, so it was a na read more...
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
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Friday, April 18, 2014
The first glimpse of brilliance!
Sleek!
Chic!
Sveldt!
Silky!
Glistening!
Sparkling!
Sexy!
Swooshy!
This is how I think of newly-shorn suri alpacas.
Some people think they are funny-looking when they are newly-shorn.
But as an alpaca breeder, this is one of my favorite moments of the year.
I see how their conformation stands out better when I can see the clean lines of their bodies.
I can clearly see how their pregnancy is developing, whether they are too lean, too heavy, or just right.
I re-evaluate their bo read more...
Blinding luster on Brando!
Cindy with 3 sleek girls
Endless Summer watches his buddy being sheared.
Glistening! Sparkling!
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