I posted on Saturday about my birthday trip to walk some alpacas! We went to Larch Green Farms and it was such a great experience.

We booked the one hour alpaca trek, and our guide was so knowledgeable and friendly. She introduced us to all seven of their boy alpacas and told us a bit about their different characters. Then we went out for a walk round the field with Chester and Toby, and fed them carrots and cabbage afterwards.

Chester

There were two particularly great things about the trip. First, Toby walked directly behind me for party of the way, and the guide told me that meant he liked me, because that’s what they do with each other when they’re walking. Any indication that an animal likes me thrills me to my very bones.

Toby (and me!)

Second, they have a little gift shop, and they sell wool from the alpacas! I bought a ball each of Chester and Toby’s wool. I’m so excited to use it but also having trouble landing on the perfect pattern.

I have about 400m. I could do a small item, most likely a scarf, that would be easy for me to keep knitting until it’s all used up, because I couldn’t bear  to have any of this special yarn left over and languishing in stash.

The other option is to supplement the yarn with an additional purchase, potentially Baa Ram Ewe Eden DK in Evergreen (Wool Warehouse link), and make a garment. I’m picturing a v-neck cardigan in great with beige and brown alpaca motifs.

Writing the options out has made it super clear that I want to make a cardigan and have no interest in making a scarf. I have so much neckwear already. Once again I’m breaking my own rule about only buying yarn when there’s a pattern chosen and I’m ready to cast on… but it is (only a few days after) my birthday, after all. I’m gonna treat myself.


11 responses to “Alpaca Yarn from Larch Green Farms”

  1. Kat Avatar

    What fun!! They are such handsome boys and I think their yarn is really quite lovely! (I love the idea of a garment with Alpacas!!)

    1. CA Avatar

      They’re lovely lads, even if Toby was a bit resistant to going for a walk (much like myself 😁).

      I actually didn’t hit ‘buy’ on my basket with additional alpaca yarn, not yet… I’m going to use it as a reward for completing one of my WIPs. I’m very motivated by treats. Again, much like an alpaca.

  2. quietwatercraft Avatar

    How fab to know the name of the alpaca your yarn came from!

    1. CA Avatar

      Isn’t it cool?! They know that will appeal to us knitters, very shrewd sales tactics 😁

  3. tierneycreates: a fusion of textiles and smiles Avatar

    How fun! Talk about getting up close and personal with your yarn!

    1. CA Avatar

      Such a cool experience 😊

  4. highlandheffalump Avatar

    Pure alpaca has such lovely drape but no memory so some garments can be tricky to hold their shape. Hope you find a pattern that suits the lovely fibre. I visited a lady yesterday who is going to parrot sit for us and she had 4 alpacas but they didn’t come over to say hello which was a shame.

    1. CA Avatar

      Oh that’s a good tip, thank you! I ended up not ordering any additional yarn, so I’m still thinking about what to do with it.

      I get the sense that alpacas know their own minds… hopefully you can make friends with them another time!

  5. quiteayarnblog Avatar

    That cardigan sounds amazing! What a great use for your souvenir yarn :)

    1. CA Avatar

      I can picture it so clearly! But the question is… would I wear it?! I’ve held off on ordering the yarn while I grapple with that… 😁

      1. quiteayarnblog Avatar

        That is a great question! You’re right – better to hold off until you decide on that.

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