Happy Friday!

I just did something that has been on my to-do list for months–I uploaded my Knit and Chat Infinity Scarf and Cowl pattern to Ravelry. You can get a free copy of it by using the coupon code FREEKNITANDCHAT through August 3rd.

Here you can see my daughter modeling the infinity scarf along with some closeups to show the texture:

It’s made using a skein of Alpaca Lace Cloud as well as a skein of a luxurious sock-weight yarn like So Silky Sock. Most of the time, the two yarn bases are held together, but some of the rounds are made using just one or the other. It’s wonderfully fuzzy and wonderfully soft.

One skein of each yarn base is actually enough for an infinity scarf plus one or two cowls.

If you are not on Ravelry or if you would prefer a paper copy, I’d be happy to include one when you buy a skein of Alpaca Lace Cloud. Just ask when you check out.

Yarn Pairings

The reason I uploaded the pattern today is because I wanted to show you some new colorways I have made on Alpaca Lace Cloud that would work beautifully with the Knit and Chat pattern or with any other pattern that calls for fuzzy lace-weight yarn held double with a sock-weight yarn.

I love this yarn because it has all the wonderful texture of mohair yarn with none of the itch since it’s made of baby alpaca and silk.

Here’s the first pair. This is Pagliacci, which is a new colorway this month. The yarn on the left is Pagliacci on So Silky Sock while I dyed the one on the right on Alpaca Lace Cloud.

 

FYI, you can click on either the photo or the link below it to go to the listings on my website.

This next one is La Bohème on Sparkly Merino Sock and Alpaca Lace Cloud. Now, I have not made a Knit and Chat Infinity Scarf using Sparkly Merino Sock. My educated guess is that you will still see some sparkle but not as much as usual when you combine it with the Alpaca Lace Cloud.

Isn’t it amazing how different the same colorway can look on two different yarn bases? With most bases, I usually know what to expect, but the truth is that Alpaca Lace Cloud keeps surprising me. For some dye colors, it’s darker than other bases while it’s lighter on others.

This next one is Galadriel’s Gift on So Silky Sock and Alpaca Lace Cloud:

 

These next two photos show Epiphany on So Silky Sock. The first one shows it with Hydrangea, which is a one-of-a-kind colorway.

 

This next one shows Epiphany on So Silky Sock with the same colorway on Alpaca Lace Cloud.

This next pair shows Dreams of the Sea on both yarn bases. I think this is the perfect colorway for summer. I know I’m dreaming of the sea!

 

 

Next up is Beautiful Universe on Sparkly Merino Sock and Alpaca Lace Cloud. Again, I expect that the sparkle will be sublimated by the texture of the Alpaca Lace Cloud.

Just cuz, here’s another photo I took of Beautiful Universe while I was taking these photos this afternoon:

 

This next pair is Seashell on So Silky Sock and Alpaca Lace Cloud. It’s a very soft and subtle colorway that I think would make a great summer top as well as a great Knit and Chat cowl or scarf.

 

 

I will leave you with my favorite. It’s Enchanted Forest on both So Silky Sock and Alpaca Lace Cloud. I love the deep richness of this colorway, and I hope you do too. It seems like the perfect colorway to transition from summer into autumn since it has the jewel tones of summer as well as the greens and browns of autumn.

 

 

Again, if you would like a free copy of my Knit and Chat pattern, you can get it on Ravelry through August 3rd using the coupon code FREEKNITANDCHAT. This is my first pattern for sale on Ravelry, and I don’t know a lot about the process, but I am told that it really helps the long-term visibility of my pattern if you go grab a copy while it’s new.

If you aren’t on Ravelry or just prefer a paper copy, just ask for a copy of the pattern when you buy a skein of Alpaca Lace Cloud from me. That offer is good anytime and not just in the next few days.

New Yarn Bases

As I am writing this, I am staring longingly at a big box of yarn from one of my wholesalers that just arrived, and I am itching to open it up. See? I do that too!

I ordered a lot of Squoosh DK as well as some more Wonderful Worsted and Quick and Cozy Bulky and can’t wait to start dyeing them. Like I mentioned last week, I don’t ordinarily focus on the heavier weight yarns until fall, but this year is different in every way. I thought it would be nice for the very organized among you to be able to get a head start on gifts. Also, there’s a lot of satisfaction that comes in having a project that goes quickly, and that means DK, worsted-weight, or bulky-weight yarn.

Tomorrow I’ll be dyeing up some of each, so if you have any particular colorways you would like me to put at the top of my dye list, please let me know.

On a personal note, one of our daughters is flying in tomorrow. She stayed in Arizona for an extra month with her grandparents when we moved, so I can’t wait to see her.

Instagram Giveaway

I almost forgot to mention one more important thing! I’m doing a giveaway of three skeins on Instagram. The skeins are November in My Soul, Peacock, and Nebula on Sparkly Merino Sock. The instructions for how to enter are in the post on Instagram right here.

Stay well!