Alpaca Direct Blog

The cable cast on is a great way to cast on in the middle of your knitting.  Here's a step by step video tutorial where Kelley shows you this handy knitting technique.

The long-tail cast on method is one of the most popular cast on methods in knitting. 

The reason it is so popular is it easy to do and it adds structure to the edge of your project. 

Hand-knit mittens, gloves, and fingerless mitts are wonderful, but what about that thumb gusset? Inevitably, there's a hole left where the thumb joins the body of the mitt or glove, and you have to take the extra step of closing it up with a needle and yarn. Not the end of the world, but still.

I've figured out how to avoid that hole altogether, so when you're done, you're really done!

We've been seeing faux-fur pom poms everywhere lately—they're so cute! They add a touch of chic to any knit hat pattern.

Shop owner Kelley figured out how to make faux-fur pom poms at home, easily and inexpensively, with faux fur from the fabric store and items she had around the house. She's so clever.

Here's a video of the process.

I discovered the Norrland Hat pattern on Ravelry and decided to take on the challenge. I love the trees and snowflakes, and I have never done colorwork and cables at the same time. Since I love learning new things, I bought the pattern immediately and cast on.

I made some modifications, including turning the hat into a slouch instead of a beanie, and I wanted to explain those in case you want to modify your project, too.

Hats are the knitting trifecta: small projects that are useful and make great gifts. You can most hats done in a short time, and many are one-skein wonders.

Here is a variety of free knitting hat patterns, from beanies to slouches to earflap hats, that are guaranteed to suit your gift-knitting needs this season and for years to come.

We're often asked what the difference is between llamas and alpacas.  Both llamas and alpacas are south american camelids and they are related but definitely not the same.  

Here are 7 quick ways to tell the difference between an Alpaca and a Llama.