By Jane Wright

Knit One Purl Two happens to be one of the most well known knitting terms, well known by non-knitters and knitters alike. Repeating it out loud confers some of the meditative experience of knitting. For those of us who knit, there is almost nothing more relaxing than watching a row of neat, organized stitches line up on your knitting needles.

The knitting craze is cyclical. It was very popular in the 1950s and again in the early 2000s. It has slowed somewhat, but its enduring nature is a testament to both the relaxation it bestows on the practitioner, and the joy of craftsmanship. Many people consider it akin to meditation. After all, the first most basic meditation you learn is breath counting; in breath, one, out breath, two. In knitting you are often counting your stitches and focusing on nothing more than the stitches being created and the count itself. Basic meditation.

Of course, the challenge of a complicated pattern, or a technique previously untried requires a bit more focus and can result in “tinking” (also known as un-knitting) or even some serious “frogging” (ripping out more than a few stitches, so called because “rip-it, rip-it” is reminiscent of the frog’s “ribbit”). But it is all part of the process, and most knitters, no matter how goal-oriented in their daily lives, face this part of the knitting experience with cool composure and aplomb. After all, it is the experience of knitting that we are seeking, more so than the finished-object.

Knitting teaches you to let go of your aspirations of perfection. There is some merit to leaving the error in place. We’ve all heard of Arab rug-makers who believe that only God can create something which is flawless, therefore they deliberately weave a mistake (or multiple mistakes) into their works of art in order not to offend God. It can be a humbling experience to the perfectionist. But mistakes can also be a good thing. My very first sweater was knit incorrectly. I knit everything through the back loop, the result a twisted stitch which worked wonderfully with the yarn I was using. I didn’t know I had done something “wrong” at the time, but got many compliments on the distinctive nature of that sweater. Your mistake makes your project uniquely yours. It differentiates your work from anyone else’s that might be knit from the same pattern.

There is also the cooperative aspect to knitting. There are many websites devoted to teaching / sharing knitting techniques on the internet. Knitting circles abound. The local yarn store will often provide assistance if you are having trouble with your pattern, regardless of whether you purchased your knitting supplies from them or a competitor. The knitting community, as a whole, is a warm, nurturing place.

The fact that knitting is such an easily portable activity also allows for us to mitigate stressful situations. Personally, I like to knit when I am a passenger in the car. Since I’m not the best passenger, this has the added merit of helping to preserve my marriage. If my husband and I are headed out for more than just a quick local errand I’ve got to have my knitting bag, or we’ll both be unhappy. And if I’ve lost my focus and commented on something going on outside the car, my husband will often ask me why I’m not knitting. I have to admit, though, most of my frogging is a result of knitting while “passengering” — my attention being diverted away from my knitting to some potential traffic mishap.

Things get better when you just breathe in and out; knit one, purl two.

Jane Wright authors knitting articles, when she can be convinced to put down her needles.

Article Source: Jane Wright / Knitting Zen

By Kerry Bettinson

Choosing Your Yarn…

Weights

If you’re a newbie to knitting alpaca, and desperate to get some yarn on your needles it’s important to decide on how you would like your final object to be before choosing a pattern. 2-ply, 4-ply, Double Knit and Aran weight knitting yarns all vary in nature and texture. As alpaca is a very warm natural fibre, be aware that less is more with regards to the weight of the fabric, and you’ll benefit little in warmth from making a garment very heavy. Be careful to choose a yarn weight appropriate to the object you’re knitting.

As some rough guidelines I would recommend:

2-ply for Fine Lace Knit Scarves, Fine Shawls, Baby Garments

4-ply for Scarves – lace and rib knit, Baby Garments, Ladies Cardigans, Gloves

Double Knit for EVERYTHING! – Hats, Scarves, Wristwarmers, Cardigans, Sweaters, Baby wear, Teddy bears

Aran for Handbags, Teddy Bears, Tea Cozies, Mittens

These are just rough suggestions of how to use the yarn. I have seen some amazing knitwear produced by knitters purchasing our yarn who have used it in ways that we don’t. A lady recently completed a stunning Aran weight sweater- an amazing piece of work in a yarn worthy of the hours of time put into the piece. I have also seen wonderful hats done in 4ply and 2ply ladies sweaters (not for the faint hearted knitter).

Color

One of the greatest features of the alpaca is that is comes in such a wide spectrum of natural colors. From white through to black with grays, browns and fawns in between. If you are going for natural undyed yarns you should be aware that although all coming off the same breed of animal, the texture and handle of the different colors can sometimes vary greatly. The white and cream yarns are usually the softest due to far more years selective breeding in South America. However, there are exceptions to this, and the UK is now producing top quality brown animals (check out our credentials in the BAS National Show Ring 2006/2007). ‘Baby Alpaca’ blends are guaranteed to be incredibly soft and slippery, as these batches only contain the softest and youngest fleeces regardless of whether they are grey, black or cream.

Tension

Due to the softness and soapy texture of alpaca, some knitters find that in order to get the correct gauge they move onto a smaller needle size than recommended for the weight. If you are aware that you generally are quite a loose knitter then I would advise doing so. ALWAYS check your tension before you begin a project because you are using a new natural material and it will not always respond in as unformed way as mass produced and computer-spun acrylic.

Needles

I have known people recommend using wooden needles to knit alpaca with. The ‘give’ in the natural needle, in comparison to the steel or plastic needle, seems to give you greater control and pleasure over knitting with the yarn. This is in no way essential, it’s just a nice thing to have when ‘knitting natural’- in fact most of my knitters choose to use steel needles.

Washing

As you’re knitting with a natural fiber it is important to hand wash your knitting after you’ve finished. I would recommend using a delicate/natural detergent, something as easy to get hold of as Woolite (which can be bought at all supermarkets) is fine. Fill your sink with tepid water and allow your item to soak for 10-15 minutes. After you have rinsed you can gently spin the item in the washing machine to remove excess water. Dry flat to avoid any misshaping. I would recommend allowing your item to dry slowly – don’t force dry on top of a boiler. The handle of alpaca seems to alter when it is dried out too fast – it almost goes brittle to touch. Patience is the key to retaining the buttery soft feeling.

Voila – easy alpaca!

The Toft Alpaca Shop

Article Source: Kerry Bettinson / Knitting With Alpaca – A Few Handy Tips