Alpaca Direct Blog

Kelley loved this design from Berroco and also wanted to try it with a new 100% Baby Alpaca yarn we're carrying called Amano Eco Puna. She shared tips on how she modified the pattern to match this yarn since it was a little lighter weight than the recommended Berroco Ultra Alpaca Chunky (Also a great yarn).  She then shared some tips on how to add the cables without a cable needle.

Every year, my husband and I set goals for our family—budget, health, travel, business, and so on. This year, I decided to make knitting and crochet goals, too. Check out my goals and join me in making the best of our knitting and crochet time in 2019!

Here's a quick video showing how to knit the Icelandic Bind Off. This bind off goes very well with a garter stitch because it has a purl bump edge. I paired it with the Old Norwegian Cast On to make the edge on my free knit blanket pattern, Kisses and Hugs Reversible Blanket.

Learn How to Seam Knitwear with the Mattress Stitch Kelley shares tips on seaming straight edges using 2 different variations of the mattress stitch in this step by step tutorial.

The Magic Loop allows you to knit your socks 2-at-a-time in the round so you don't have the second sock syndrome.  In other words you finish both socks at the same time and they will match!  

Also, this method allow you to use one circular needle to make very small and very large items all on the same needle. You can complete much more quickly with this method once you learn it compared to using double pointed needles. 

Faux Fur Pom-Poms are all the rage. In this video Kelley Hobart shows you how to attach them to a hat for easy removal so you can wash your hat and not ruin your nice faux fur pom-pom. See also "How To Make Your Own Faux Fur Pom-Poms -https://youtu.be/Ib5vZVmwwJo

Kelley shares how to knit straight stripes with no ends to weave in using the Helix Stripe knitting technique.  

Kelley Hobart from Alpaca Direct shows you how to join a new skein of yarn to your work and weave in your ends at the same time. This is a very useful skill for colorwork and any time you need to join a new skein to your project.  

Learn how to quickly fix a dropped PURL stitch in the 1 minute tutorial

Here's a quick 1 minute tutorial on how to fix a dropped knit stitch.

This is a quick knitting technique 1 minute video on Slip One, Knit Two Together, Pass The Slipped Stitch Over (sl 1, k2tog, psso)

Learn How To Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK). This decrease slants the stitches to the left on the knit side of the work.