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Hats and Love and Alpacas!

December 17, 2015 by Karen Giebel 10 Comments

Right off the bat I have to tell you that I do NOT have a lot of natural art and craft talent. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy creating things with my own 2 hands, because I certainly do. But coming easy and natural? Not so much. Sitting down and creating a pattern would be incredibly stressful for me and I’m in such awe of my friends who have that ability. Kind folks and family have tried to teach me how to knit for way too many years now and I can be enthusiastic for about 6 hours then I’m done. But, I am enjoying learning how to crochet and I really love using my sewing machine. So…where am I going with this one? Well, it’s like this. I have bushels of Alpaca fleece from our herd back in Washington and I had it spun into the most gorgeous, soft, warm yarn you have ever touched! The colors are all natural, just as they came off the Alpaca.  See that white? It’s from my favorite girl, Ms. Crack of Dawn. The dark chocolate brown is none other than my Big Mac, more formally known as MacTarnahan. And the luscious medium warm brown is our late great Medallion.

Alpaca yarn

They are all so special to me.

Each of these yarns mean something unique to me. Just running my hands around each skein evokes special memories. Dawn being “Auntie Dawn” to all the new cria and never letting them out of her sight. Dawn, tossing me up in the air and me landing flat on my back in the pasture with her on top of me when we were trimming her nails. MacTarnahan leading me on a merry chase around the pasture non flipp’n stop each and every time we need to do herd health. I swear he was laughing at me. Medallion. The pride and relief we felt when he placed first in his class at a show validating all the hard work we were doing! Medallion, my best guy, taking carrots from my hand and waiting for more! I don’t know, maybe it’s just me, but when you have such memories and lovely yarns, you want to do something special with it and not just make it a commercial product.

Medallion

Medallion!

Alpaca Herd

Our Alpaca herd.

So, here I sit with little talent and much yarn. That’s where this nifty little knitting machine comes in! I can make lovely, one of a kind hats with the gorgeous yarns I have on hand and never pick up a knitting needle. I still feel somewhat talented as I have to design and work the machine, making sure all goes well, then take the hat off the knitter and finish it by hand. I know I have created, with love, a beautiful hat that is sure to be a favorite of the recipient and I know my animals fleece is used well and not wasted.

Kniiting machine

My little knitting helper.

Dan

My yarn winding helper. Everyone should have one of them!

Geting started

Needles loaded and getting started!

bigger

The tube hat is growing!

almost done!

Almost done. And then this turns into…..

Hat done

this.  And then….

2 hats

this.   And these go out to loved ones. What can be better?

I mean, here I am in Germany, making kind use of the awesome fleece our Washington State Alpacas provide. We don’t hurt our animals. In fact, we help them by removing their heavy, hot coats.  The natural colors with their never ending variety,sheen, luster and softness, amaze me. Knowing I can offer a handmade gift of love is priceless.

Wherever your journey takes you today. I wish for you, a peaceful heart and the knowledge that you are loved.

Journey on!

Karen

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Filed Under: The Journey Girl Travels Tagged With: Hats, Knit, talent, Yarn

« Christkindlmarkt in Nurnberg, Germany
And this is the way it is, December 17, 2015 »

Comments

  1. Sharon Camarda Paz says

    December 18, 2015 at 2:02 am

    Karen,
    The yarns are beautiful. Love the natural colors, the memories and of course your creations. So special. Whoever is the recipient of these beautiful hats will be lucky and I’m sure will cherish them.
    Hugs
    Shar

    Reply
    • Karen Giebel says

      December 18, 2015 at 7:15 am

      Thank you Sharon!

      Reply
  2. Susan says

    January 20, 2016 at 10:37 am

    You need to buy Dan a ball winder. Lol

    Reply
    • Karen Giebel says

      January 20, 2016 at 11:07 am

      Susan,
      This way I know where his hands are! LOL!

      Thanks for posting!

      Karen, TJG

      Reply
  3. Kate says

    March 6, 2016 at 12:32 am

    Olivia loves her Alpaca hat. She chose it over her Hello Kitty one the other day.

    Reply
    • Karen Giebel says

      March 6, 2016 at 6:46 am

      Hi Kate,

      Thanks for taking the time to comment. Makes me happy that Olivia loves her hat. I loved making it for her!

      Hugs and love,

      Karen, TJG ( AKA- mom)

      Reply
  4. Gloria says

    April 26, 2016 at 9:00 pm

    Oh my! I think you got me hooked!! This is so exciting! So sorry I did not check your blog out sooner!

    Reply
    • Karen Giebel says

      April 27, 2016 at 5:21 am

      Hi Gloria,

      Welcome to The Journey Girl blog! Glad you came and took a look.

      Hugs and Love,

      Karen, TJG

      Reply
  5. Penny McCurdy says

    November 6, 2017 at 7:01 pm

    I enjoy reading every bit of your Blogs! These hats are beyond beautiful, the yarn is so gorgeous, you are very talented, I too use one of those knitting machines! ♡

    Reply
    • Karen Giebel says

      November 7, 2017 at 4:53 am

      Hi Penny!

      Thanks for your kind words of support. So appreciated.

      Hugs,
      Karen TJG

      Reply

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Nice to meet you

Karen Giebel, the Journey GirlHello and "WELCOME" to the Journey Girl! I'm Karen, a happy, optimistic retired RN living out my dreams with my husband Dan up here in the back of the beyond in Ferry County, Washington. High up in the mountains just 20 miles from the border with British Columbia, Canada. I enjoy writing and sharing with my friends all about our lives raising Alpacas, growing our gardens, all the gorgeous birds and wildlife that surround us. Sharing stories of our daily lives as we travel this journey through life. Cooking is my passion and I solve all the world's problem while standing at my stove and I love sharing my recipes with you. I am glad you are all here with me today and every day. Journey on!

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