Sweet Softness:
When I first touched this yarn, I wanted to roll around in it. While I was knitting it up, I couldn't stop rubbing it on my face and arms.
Farm Yarn's four-ply natural white alpaca is a treat for the sense of touch, and it's also lovely to knit with. The fiber is specially selected from farms across the British countryside and this highest-quality fiber isn't much messed with, providing knitters with beautiful and natural alpaca yarn.
Specifications:
- Content: 100 percent alpaca
- Yarn Wweight: Light
- Gauge: Farm Yarn says 28 stitches and 34 rows on size US 6 needles; I got 24 stitches and 29 rows
- Yardage: About 120 yards
- Color Availability: comes in natural white, natural beige and a white and beige tweed
- Color Used in Swatch: natural white
Knitting:
Farm Yarn's natural alpaca is soft, buttery and a lot of fun to work with. The stitches are relatively even and smooth, and there was very little splitting.
There was just a little bit of organic stuff that needed to be pulled out of the yarn as I went along--another reminder that this is a pretty natural yarn that hasn't been fussed with a whole lot.
Despite the light weight, I knit up a large swatch very quickly. The photo doesn't do justice to the lovely ivory color of the sample.
It curled extensively in stockinette stitch, but a gentle stretch after lightly dampening the swatch took some of it out.
Uses for Farm Yarn Natural Alpaca:
This yarn is pure luxury and would be wonderful for any knitting project worn close to the skin.
While I was knitting the swatch I was thinking of fingerless gloves and short scarves worn tucked into your shirt so you can feel the silky warmth of the fiber all day.
It would also be a wonderful choice for a camisole since the yarn is so light, airy and drapey. Knit on larger needles it would be a wonderful choice for light spring and summer tops.
Of course, if you really wanted to go all out, this would make the most beautiful afghan (or maybe just a shawl?) that you would never want to unwrap your body from.
Caring for Alpaca Yarn:
Alpaca knits should be gently hand washed in cool water and mild detergent. Soak for five or ten minutes before gently rinsing and pressing out the water without wringing.
Allow to dry for several hours on a towel, then put on a sweater dryer or somewhere where air can circulate around the garment. You may need to gently pull the item back into shape after washing. Do not dry in direct sunlight.
About Farm Yarn:
Farm Yarn grades and sorts alpaca fiber from farms in Wiltshire, Devonshire, Somerset and elsewhere before sending it to specialist mills in Suffolk and Yorkshire, where its fine yarns are produced.
The company itself is based in Melksham, Wiltshire, and offers natural alpaca yarn in light and medium weights in natural colors. Farm Yarn is set to release three colors of organic sheep's wool yarn soon.
You can buy the yarn direct from the company, and shipping and taxes within the United Kingdom are free. For those outside the UK, this yarn is still a special treat that shouldn't be missed.
