MY FIRST FELTED HAT

This is the first hat I ever felted. It is made from 100% alpaca fiber that was dyed and formed into batts by a fiber processing plant. I loved the pinks, purples, and blues, and knew that it would be perfect for my first felting project.

The batts look alot like the material used inside of quilts except much easier to pull apart. The process starts with 4 layers of fiber and then many hours of gentle massage with soap and hot water. The felted piece is then put on a hat form and shaped, but I didn't have a hat form. I used a mixing bowl and it worked perfectly. I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that I have an 8-cup head.

The flower was cut out with scissors from leftovers and molded by hand. A wooden button for the flower center, some yarn on the brim, and a leather lariat finishes the hat. It actually won a ribbon at the AOBA National Conference that year.

No matter how much better my felting techniques or my finished felted projects become, this will always be my favorite hat.

For classes on this project and others, visit:
http://www.alpacamoon.com/feltclass.html

We'd love to have you visit the farm.

KNIT-TO-FELT

What fun to knit and then felt items. All it takes is hot water, agitation and beginner's knitting skills. This hat was made with alpaca yarn that I bought at a local yarn shop. I knitted the pattern, and no, it's not for an elephant. It has to be that big to allow it to shrink to fit a human head. I put it in the washing machine in a pillowcase and washed it with hot water. It took a couple of times to get it small enough - BUT WATCH OUT, it will shrink up really small if you don't check on it periodically. When it's the size you need it to be, shape it and set it out to dry. And VOILA, a hat!

It can be worn with the brim turned up, the brim turned down, or the front up and the back down.


I also knitted a purse to go along with the hat and felted it in the washing machine the same way - lots of hot water and agitation! I can't wait to use them this Fall.

WEEKEND AT THE ALPACA FARM

I was lucky this weekend and had the opportunity to take care of the farm. It is beautiful there and it restores my soul - it makes my life better.

A welcoming committee greeted me at the door. Don't they look excited to see me? Okay, okay, don't knock me down - I've got groceries. Really, settle down there now.

I love chores at the farm - yes, even scooping poop. It rained this weekend and the poop got heavier by the minute. But, take a look at what alpaca poop can do to a sunflower!!

I love it when the dogs and cats follow me down to the barn to feed the alpacas. "Come on, let's go feed the girls."

Oh, please don't tell me you aren't up on the latest in farm fashion. Really! You're really not going if I wear these muck boots?

I love the barn. It is warm and smells of sweet hay, barn wood, and warm breath. Look what I found behind the hay bin. There must be 10 or 12 new ducklings.

Let's face it. How can you not fall in love with these beautiful faces? They are gentle creatures that bring a gentle calmness into my life. Look at those big eyes.

Did I hear a rooster? You bet! Sometimes he gets cranked up at 4:00 a.m. A little competition with the other rooster to see who can be first, I guess.

A good day ends sitting on the porch swing with a good book and waiting for nightfall. You can hear the ducks and the chickens settling in for the night as the katy-dids belt out their song in the cool evening breeze. Somewhere in the woods an owl is hooting and a dog barks in the distance.

Over the blue mountains of Georgia the sun puts on a colorful display as it disappears behind the hills. What a good day!! Can't wait for tomorrow.

Fun with my sister, Fran

I took my sister and her husband to the alpaca farm to meet the alpacas. She had never seen one before and she loved little Doodlebug. We had a good time together and I hope they can come again soon.

Welcome to my blog!!

I look forward to sharing my love of fiber, particularly alpaca fiber, and showing off the fun things we create. Holly and I teach felting classes at Holly's alpaca farm, Lasso the Moon, and would love to have you take a class and visit the farm. We hope you'll join us! In the meantime, join us here on the blog to celebrate fiber.