Sourcing local fibre

It's been a little over a year since I released my Caia Baby Alpaca yarn in five variegated colours. I found a local small farm with some pampered alpacas grazing with a view of the Mendip Hills in North Somerset, UK – a little under 20 miles from my home studio in Bath.

The baby alpaca fibre was irresistible. It's worsted-spun into yarn at a mill in Scotland, with a low twist to make the most of the beautiful softness and drape of the warm, white fibre. 

Creating new colours

Ever since then I've wanted to add more shades, and the time has finally come! 

What to knit

There's no doubt this is a luxurious yarn. Its gentle shine, delicate halo and beautiful drape, combined with the fact it's a very fine 4-ply/light-fingering weight make it ideal as a shawl yarn. If you like lacy knitting it will suit you perfectly. Last year I designed a more modern, solid shawl called the Sunder shawl, using the Hippolyta colourway. 

The yarn will also work perfectly for lightweight-yet-warm accessories for delicate layering, and for elegant garments where you're aiming for more drape and sophistication than boxy structure. I'm knitting a pair of fingerless mittens in the new 'Pandora' colourway – a rich wine-red.  

(Edited to add: the pattern for the Wynsum Mitts is now on Ravelry)

So I hope you'll love the new range and will find it inspiring for your late-winter projects! I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you like knitting with alpaca? What do you like to knit with it?