We took a drive out to Spinning Wheel Alpaca Farm this afternoon. I have a pattern for a cable knit scarf that calls for baby alpaca wool. What I really want is an alpaca coat but the scarf will do for now.
Border collies greeted us as we got out of the car, they investigate all visitors...more dogs were in the alpaca pen...their job is to protect the alpacas. Alpacas are very tame and trusting...and I dare say expensive.
They came running when the owner called them to the fence but after a moment weren't too impressed with us so it was hard to get a full face shot, they kept turning away.
A couple of pot-belly pigs shared the yard with the alpacas and they were the most affectionate little fellows. I understand they make good house pets. This little guy rubbed his face against the wire fence asking us to pet him and he enjoyed a good scratch on his bristly head.
Here is Lavitra, one of the alpacas who had given up her fleece for the skeins of wool I bought. My wool was a mix from two alpacas, the other one, Lillie, was in another yard. Two skeins of Lavitra and Lillie came to $36. The skeins are labeled for the animals they come from.
The owner of the farm does all the work herself, shearing, cleaning, blending and spinning. She sends much of her wool out to be knit into socks, mittens, sweaters, scarves etc or woven and cut into coats and jackets and blankets. Beautiful, ultra soft and warm. The rest of the wool she sells in skeins.
I know I will enjoy knitting with this incredibly soft wool. I am not sure if I will keep the scarf or give it as a gift.
We stopped at a farm market on the way home to pick up fresh Ontario field tomatoes and corn on the cob for supper; they were just bringing a load of corn in from the field as we got there. It was in the pot and on the table within the hour...such delicious tender corn we have never tasted!
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