Sheffield Alpacas: Kool!

Do you have a passion for making things entirely by hand or appreciate it in other people? In my teens and twenties, I got a thrill out of being my own mechanic on my old '75 Mustang. Yep, I've changed a few water pumps and brake pads. I have sewn every stitch of handmade rag dolls with a needle and thread (no machine stitching), and I prefer to cook from scratch. Isn't it much more rewarding to gather family and friends to put in fence posts, and raise barns? So naturally for me, prepping the fleece, learning to spin, and then making things from the alpacas' luscious fiber is my idea of happiness! -Kaylen

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Kool!

I have been resisting dying my own fiber. Fear of chemicals, the mess, and the fact that I just love the natural, pure colors alpacas come in has kept me in a brown and beige world. Well...I took a tiny little plunge last night and tried the nifty trick of Kool-Aid dying. I thought it was an easy place to start, simple, and I'm not afraid to do it in my kitchen. Who knew Black Cherry would turn Sabrina's fleece into this lovely shade?

Here is where I learned how: knitty.com

2 comments:

Shalet said...: I recently tried food coloring dyeing on sheep's wool. It was crazy easy! I came here via Etsy and am so jealous of your alpaca farm! Oh to have a hobby farm of my own ...; January 29, 2011 at 3:14 PM
Kaylen said...: I am ready to try dying again! Especially for spring colors. The alpacas are so much fun. Until you have your farm you can share ours virtually :); January 29, 2011 at 4:13 PM