Alpaca Direct News and Perspectives

New Knit and Crochet Classes For Spring 2010

Socks 101

April 29th   7pm to 9pm

Skill level: Beginner

Fee:  $35, supplies additional

 

You will learn to make an Adult basic sock in this class.  This is a 2 hour class (1 session).  Students must be able to cast-on, knit, purl, work ribbing and decrease using ssk or k2tog.

 

Supplies needed before class:  Size 3 needle (can be double pointed or circular), Worsted Weight Yarn

Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

 

 

2 Socks At A Time On 1 Circular Needle

May 6th & May 13th  7pm to 9pm

Skill Level: Intermediate

Fee: $45, supplies additional

 

In this class you will learn how to make 2 baby socks at once using 1 circular needle.  This is a 4 hour class (2 sessions of 2 hours each)

 

Supplies needed:  40”-47” inch circular needle, stitch markers, tapestry needle

 

Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

 

Knit 101

May 20th & May 27th  7pm to 9pm

http://www.catalinayarns.com/pages/patternsupport/freepatterns/november05free.pdf

Skill level: Novice

Fee:  $45, supplies additional

 

This two-session class is for new and beginning knitters. New knitters will learn to knit, purl, cast on and bind off. Beginning knitters will learn how knit and purl stitches work together to create interesting patterns. Your instructor will provide instructions and pattern to create a Jute Rope Scarf for your first project. No experience required.

 

This class is just the basics. Supplies: size 10 needles and 2 skeins of bulky weight yarn.

 

Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

 

 

Free Workshop

June 3rd    7pm to 9pm

Ribbon of Hope Scarf

http://www.cascadeyarns.com/patternsFree/W201_DolceCancerScarf.pdf

Skill Level:  Beginner

 

In this class we will make a Ribbon of Hope scarf to donate to Women’s Breast Cancer Patients.

 

Supplies Needed:  US 8 needle, Cascade Dolce Yarn in Pink (150g – 1 skein)

 

 

 

Beginning Cables

June 10th  7pm to 9pm

Skill Level:  Beginner

Fee: $40, supplies additional

 

In this class 2 hour session class, we will learn to make some basic cables.  Students should know how to cast on, knit, purl and bind off.

 

Supplies needed:  scrap yarn, needle to go with yarn, cable needle

 

Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

 

Cabled Fingerless Gloves

http://www.mistialpaca.com/media/downloads/patterns/MistiAlpaca_FREE_907_CabledThumbMitts.pdf

 June 17th & June 24th   7pm to 9pm

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Fee: $45, supplies additional

 

This is a 4 hour class (2 sessions of 2 hours each).  In this class we will make Cables Fingerless gloves.

These gloves make a wonderful gift and are fast and easy to make.

 

Supplies Needed:  Worsted Weight yarn, cable needle, stitch marker, stitch holder, tapestry needle

US 5 double pointed needles for making S/M sized gloves

US 6 double pointed needles for making M/L sized gloves

 

Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

 

 

Disclaimer:

Enroll early as class size is limited.  Although we anticipate full registration for all classes, we reserve the right to cancel a class due to poor enrollment.  In this circumstance your fee will be refunded in full.  If you are not able to make your class, we will need 24 hours notice for a full refund.  Fewer than 24 hours notice or No Show = no refund.  Fees listed are for the compete class, including all sessions and unless noted do not include materials or patterns. Missed classes may be made up at a later session. Please bring basic accessories to all classes:  scissors, stitch markers, yarn needles, etc.

Beginning Lace Knitting Class June 5th and 12th, 2010

Beginning Lace 101

June 5th and 12th, 2010  10am - 12pm

Both classes on Saturdays

Skill Level: Intermediate

Fee: $45, supplies additional

Instructor: Sultana Charania

In this class you will learn how to read a lace pattern and chart.  Learn the difference between knitted lace and lace knitting.  Learn the lace vocabulary.   Get an early start on lace techniques that can turn into beautiful gifts. 

You will practice 3 basic lace patterns.

This is a 4 hour class - 2 sessions, 2 hours each. 

Supplies needed:  Size 7 needle, 1 skein fingering weight yarn.  Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

Spring Yarns are in full swing

We're excited to see the new spring yarns arriving in our shop.  We have several news yarns from Arucania in Chile to use on your spring and summer projects.  A very soft and luxurious Ruca made of sugarcane is great for delicate spring scarves and shawls.  Our Aysen yarns are luxurious bland of Alpaca, Merino and Silk.  Come stop by our store or visit our website at www.AlpacaDirect.com and "Spring into Knitting" with these and many other new yarns.  Here's a coupon to save some money and try our our new yarns!

Winter Knitting Classes at Alpaca Direct

Current Knitting Classes - Instructor Led

Classes are held Thursday Eves - 7-9pm 

Knit 101
Skill level: Novice
Fee: $35, supplies additional
Dates: Jan 14th & Jan 21st

This two-session class is for new and beginning knitters. New knitters will learn to knit, purl, cast on and bind off. Beginning knitters will learn how knit and purl stitches work together to create interesting patterns. Your instructor will provide instructions and pattern to create a Jute Rope Scarf for your first project. No experience required.
This class is just the basics. Supplies: size 10 needles and 2 skeins of chunky weight yarn.
Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.


Crochet 101
Skill Level: Novice
Fee: $35, supplies additional
Jan 28th & Feb 4th

Crochet is fast and fun. During this two-session class students learn all the basic stitches of crochet (single, half-double, double and treble crochet), joining new yarn, increasing and decreasing. In this class you will learn how to Chain, single, double and triple crochet.
Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.

Knit 102
Skill level: Beginner
Fee: $35, supplies additional
Dates: Feb 11th & 18th

This two-session class is for knitters who know the basics (cast on, knit, purl, cast off) and who are ready for their first project. In this class, you learn increases, decreases, fixing twisted and dropped stitches, reading a pattern and start a project of your choice. This is the recommended next class after Knit 101. Bring light colored yarn and appropriate needles. If you want to use the yarn and needles you purchased for Knit 101, Alpaca Direct staff can help you find an appropriate pattern and yarn.
Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.



Crochet 102
Skill Level: Beginner
Fee: $35, supplies additional
Mar 4th & Mar 11th

This class if for those who know the crochet basics (chain, single, half-double, double and treble crochet). In this class, you learn increases, decreases and how to read a pattern. You will start a project of your choice. Alpaca Direct staff can help you find an appropriate pattern and yarn for your project.
Registered students will receive 10% off class materials.


Moebius Cowl
Skill Level: Intermediate
Fee: $30, supplies additional
March 18th

This is a fun and quick project where you'll learn how to do simple lace and the moebius cast-on. Knitting a moebius scarf is like magic. You need only to know how to knit, purl and cast-off. Shop sample: Seafoam moebius made with Catalina Baby Alpaca (#213). Supplies Needed: Size 10 (6mm) circular needle that is 40-47” in length.

How to sign up?  

Email us at info@alpacadirect.com   

Call our Shop - 10am - 5pm Mon-Sat. 925-237-2575 x6 ask for Patricia

Disclaimer:

Enroll early as class size is limited. Although we anticipate full registration for all classes, we reserve the right to cancel a class. In this circumstance your fee will be refunded in full. If you are not able to make your class, we will need 24 hours notice for a full refund. Fewer than 24 hours notice or No Show = no refund. Fees listed are for the complete class, including all sessions and unless noted do not include materials or patterns. Missed classes may be made up at a later session. Please bring basic accessories to all classes: scissors, stitch markers, yarn needles, etc.

If you need to purchase supplies you may purchase them at our shop the day of the class for a 10% discount. 

CBS - Channel 5 Is Coming To Our Shop on Oct 24th!

Please come and join us to welcome CBS Channel 5 as they highlight local businesses and will be at Alpaca Direct from 10am - 12pm on Saturday, October 24th.   We'll have a few of our baby alpacas in front of the store so bring the kids and have fun petting the Alpacas and telling the News Crew at CBS 5 why you like shopping Local at Alpaca Direct!  

Creating Lace with Addi Turbo Lace Needles

I am very blessed to be in a great group of knitters. We are always sharing ideas, patterns, and techniques. We are there for each other when one of us has to rip a sweater out and start over (that is usually me) or just plain frustrated with how something is not coming out right.

 I always know who to go to for specific advice, such as, who specializes in what…the Lace Lady, the Sweater Siren, the Sock Superstar, the Fiber Fanatic, the Gossamer Goddess, and the Felted Bag Bigwig.

 So when it came a starting a KAL (Knit Along) for lace…I knew just who to find. She pulled out these amazing bronze needles, sharp as a finely honed knife (well, maybe not that sharp, but compared to the needles I was using at the time; it was like comparing a Henckels and a old Gin-su knife that I found at the Dollar Store.) I could not believe the difference! I went with a 4; it seems that most of the patterns called for that size.

 Ever since, I have quite the Addi Turbo Lace collection. I have been somewhat spoiled with them. The cord is amazingly flexible and relaxed. I have come to hate the needles that require a good soaking in warm water to loosen up their seemingly permanent shape…something that resembles a tangled ball of nasty yarn. I end up spending more time trying to smooth out the needle cord than starting my casting on!

 I have gone on to use the needles for other projects than just my lace work. They are wonderful at socks, scarves, and I have even put a few sweaters on them.

 Thank you Lace Lady, I will forever be in your debt. 

Fulling Your Alpaca Knitting Projects

Tips from Jody Moody (One of our expert knitters featured in our knitting and spinning videos)

Since alpaca differs in structure than wool from a sheep or cotton from a plant, it behaves differently in the fulling process. I would recommend fulling any of your projects done in alpaca with a moist steam to bring out the beauty of the yarn and your stitch work. I use either a steamer or a steam iron with a somewhat thin towel over the work and then carefully set it with pins if necessary. Be careful not to stretch your work out too much since it will keep stretching as the garment is worn. This can turn a lovely item that fits beautifully off the needles into a over-sized mess. For cleaning, only hand washing and gentle steam; I would not throw this in either the washer or dryer! I like the product Eucalan for cleaning since it does not require rinsing and is environmentally friendly. I once tried that with a baby alpaca yarn that I had mixed in wool stripes and the alpaca stretched while the wool felted!! Never, never throw your mixed yarns together such as a wool and alpaca or silk, in a machine! A seersucker result may emerge, this is a when the wools shrink and the alpacas stretches. Handle those projects with the utmost care…think of all the hours and investment you put into your work, then you will have a garment that you can wear or give away with the greatest of pride.

Knitting on Gauge…or Making Sweaters That Would Fit a Great Dane?

Thoughts from Jody Moody...

Well, I have been working with fiber since I was in the third grade. A classmate, Toni, taught me how to crochet granny squares with acrylic yarns in the funkiest colors imaginable. Then ten years ago, I ended up under the tutelage of a great master spinner, knitter, weaver, and all around fiber craftsperson. By the way, there was a lot of time between the first mentor and my current one. During that time I never heard anything about ‘gauge’. I just thought that all those little boxes on the side of the patterns were for those who needed extra help, perhaps those who did not have my ‘eye’ for estimating what needles should be used.

My new mentor, Teresa, mmmm… interesting I attract mentors that have names that begin with T, told me about the importance of ‘staying on gauge’ and watching my stitches per inch. But not until I had thrown my last tantrum because I had to give ANOTHER sweater away since it would not fit me, did I realize its utmost importance. Knitting by gauge should be the first and foremost lesson all new knitters should learn (right after choosing the correct needles, yarn, and pattern). I have a closet filled with innumerable odd knitted things that did not work because I was NOT on gauge. I usually start out fine on ‘gauge’, but something happens somewhere along the line and there I am knitting stitches so out of range it is as if another person was doing my project with different needles, blindfolded, and perhaps under the influence of some sort of tranquilizer. My last sweater…true labor of love…I was planning for these cool days on the horizon, beautiful silk/soy, with alpaca in gorgeous burgundy, cotton candy pink, variegated vibrant reds/browns, and a cool neutral taupe…ended up at least six sizes too big. I imagined that in the night some sort of evil elf came and worked on the sweater with giant tree limbs for needles, then tried it on his pet elephant to see if it would fit. It would grow inches over night…where do these elves come from? Instead of blaming the gnome of oversized garments, I had to look in the mirror and see the truth staring back at me and hearing my mentor’s voice, “Are you checking your gauge as you knit?” OH, I hate to admit, but she was ever so right. Good mentors are always right! So when I balk her voice, I only need to blame myself for creating just more sweater that would fit my sisters’ pet Great Dane, Woodson, who looks more like a horse that a dog. By the way, the remnants of my beautiful sweater are all balled up and waiting for me to try again, this time I will check the gauge in the beginning, in the middle, and towards the end…and perhaps everywhere in between!

Choosing An Alpaca Yarn Video

We're happy to let you know we'll be posting videos throughout our website to help educate you about your alpaca yarns, needles and and accessories.  As you may now, we now carry thousands of choices in luxury yarn and not just Alpaca!  We'll be featuring our merino and cotton sock yarns along with our large selection of quality knitting needles from Addi and circular sets from Denise Knitting needles. Stay tuned as Alpaca Direct videos are launched over the coming weeks!

Alpaca Direct Now Has a Virtual Knitting Corner

For our knitters who live in Cyberspace, Alpaca Direct now has a virtual Knitting Cafe available 24/7 where our customers can visit, chat and socialize!