Early morning birth

The window in our bedroom is low enough that we can see out to the pastures when lying in bed. I love looking outside as I wake up. Doesn't matter what season it is, the scenery is always beautiful.  This morning, I got up at about 6am and I could see one white alpaca was out of the barn. She was by herself. 

We realized that it was Alicia and that she was giving birth. About 10 minutes later, a white cria was on the ground.

We felt very lucky to witness this. What a great way to start your day!

We watched from the window as this newborn struggled to get up on his feet.

The herd quickly gathered to congratulate the mom and admire the little one.

Fernando came over to get a closer look and greet his new playmate.

A little white male, 17.4 lbs. 

I love the little pink nose.

He must take after his mom, I find Alicia very pretty.

We have not yet come up with a name for him.

(little dance of joy for more white fleece for me.)

On to a knitting update...

I went to my LYS the other day and had a look around...should have known this would be too tempting. But the damage is not too bad!

When I saw the colour combination of this skein, I knew I had to have it!

I certainly don't need more sock yarn but I just could not resist it.

Fleece Artist from Nova Scotia have the most beautiful colourways! 

Now I can't wait to complete the pair of super plain socks I'm currently working on...almost there.

I'll tell you all about this new short row heel I found on YouTube when I'm done knitting them.

Till then, stay cool. Certain parts of Ontario are being hit by a heat wave.

FO socks for me!

I love to wear hand knit socks but I must admit I find it long and tedious to knit them. It must have something to do with the small fingering yarn and the small 2.5mm needles that is required to knit socks. It must also have something to do with the fact that after finishing the first sock, I have to start all over with the second one.

Well, if I want to wear them, I have to get down to business and knit them!

But...I might have found a compromise. I recently knitted a pair of socks using a sport weight yarn and 3.5mm needles. The socks were knitted up in no time at all and I love them.

The colour is not clearly shown in this picture. (I really must look for a new camera.)

It's somewhere between a rasberry colour and plum.

The yarn is 100% Peruvian Highland Wool. I'm eager to see how it will wear on the heels.

Here is a better idea of the colour. This pic comes from the Knit Pick website.

The lace pattern is very easy to remember. Instead of the picot edge I knitted a plain rib for the cuff.

I'm sure, I'll knit with this yarn again.

Yup, this is a great compromise...

Pattern: Rainy day socks (Ravelry link)

Yarn: Wool of the Andes Sport Yarn, KnitPicks

Colour: Fairy tale

Needles: 3.5mm



Another one to check off the list

YAY!
Another project done and ready for gift giving.
Dear hubby asked for socks very early this fall, hoping he would have them in time for his annual hunting holiday. But I just couldn't get into it, I wasn't in the mood for socks,especially men's socks. So even with his encouragement to knit them in any colour and use any pattern, hunting season came and went without a new pair of socks to call his own.
But I think he will be very happy to see these worsted alpaca yarn socks under the tree on Christmas Eve!
Pattern: from the book Getting Started Knitting Socks (author Ann Budd)
Yarn: Misty Haven Alpaca
Colour: Natural brown

I added a bit of red yarn for the heel, toe and a couple of stripes from leftover yarn.

 Another item to cross off my list. Things are looking up!