Alpacas from Eighth and Mud

At the beginning of the summer I took the opportunity to get out of the city for a day and tour a local alpaca farm. My friend and I set off for Alpacas from Eighth and Mud on a pretty, sunny week day. When we arrived we noticed alpacas prancing in fields on either side of a quaint little shop. I later learned that females were on one side and males on the other. Of course they only mix for breeding purposes! Baby alpacas, known as Crias, stayed with their moms.

We immediately went into the shop and met the farmer, a bubbly welcoming woman named Sharon. She answered all of our questions and showed us some of her hand made works. We feasted our eyes on the shelves of alpaca yarn, hand knit garments, wall hangings and I particularly admired the spinning fiber. You'll also find hand made jams and maple syrup in the gift shop.

Alpaca spinning fiber with silk noils.

Alpacas on Eighth and Mud is also a mill. They mill their own alpaca fiber and will do custom orders for local customers.

Sharon let us see the alpacas behind the scenes. The animals were really tentative around us strangers. 

Before we left we receive some "real eggs" from Sharon's chickens and directions on how to get to a local cheese maker's market.

Muskoka Cruise with Debbie Bliss

Friday September 9, 2011
Debbie Bliss Dinner Cruise
Gravenhurst, Muskoka

This past weekend I went on yet another knitting adventure. I joined the well-known knitwear designer, Debbie Bliss, on a dinner cruise in Ontario's beautiful Muskoka region. It was good to see Debbie again and to meet and chat with her daughter, Nell. Thirty-five Debbie Bliss fans each received a gift bag with a book of Debbie's latest patterns.

Debbie signs my book!

I had so much fun and can't remember the last time I was that excited. Debbie is really easy to talk to and so approachable. If you are a fan I highly recommend taking advantage of an opportunity like this.

The second day I attended a lecture by D.B. She discussed a little bit about her background, her design process, and her current designs. We had a chance to play with her samples, try them on and even model them for one another. Of course, shopping was part of the day.

Before heading home we made sure to stop in at an awesome fibre arts shop and mill in Gravenhurst, Gateway Fibreworks.

Shop and Mill

A selection of beads and findings, hand dyed wool for spinning,
natural alpaca rovings, felting fibres, yarn , fabric and art kits are available
to satisfy your  fibre, sewing and bead crafting needs.

The entrance to the retail store. Beautiful knit shawl in natural
  alpaca and printed with leaf motif. 

A cozy nook to relax and work on projects within the shop.

The yarn wall. Gateway has their own yarn that is spun in house.

Alpaca is being pre-drafted in preparation for spinning.

A single ply wound on a bobbin sits ready in the machine.
Tours of the mill are possible but you must call to request.

 What's your favorite yarn shop? Leave the name and link in the comments section below so that I can enjoy a virtual tour of your favorites!

Next week I will be sharing another Ontario knitting adventure...so check back!

Downtown Knit Collective November Bus Trip 2009

"SHOW US YOUR KNITS"

proposed slogan of our DKC bus trip

Our first stop was the Needle Emporium in Ancaster, Ontario. This is a gorgeous yarn shop in a heritage house just on the outskirts of Hamilton, Ontario.

The Masonic Lodge just across the street from the Needle Emporium. We could not have asked for a better day. Clear blue sky, fresh breeze, beautifully fall.

A basket of sock yarn. I had to buy just one! This is Mini Mochi by Crystal Palace Yarns, 80% merino wool and 20%nylon.

Sock yarn, cottons, anything you can imagine. It's all here.

This is a photo of the sweater kit that I purchased. The owner graciously gave us DKCers 20% off all yarn. The kit I purchased was for XL, in the same colours in the photo and pattern by Spud and Chloe. The yarn is comprised of superwash 55% wool and 45% organic cotton. It is simply delicious to the touch.

Foxy ladies in a line-up. I tried asking them not to smile, but I think it was impossible for them while clutching a bag of newly purchased spoils.

Mug Shot

Belfountain Inn. This is the quaint venue of our lunch. We had quiche and salad, bread with oil and vinegar, and pie for dessert.

Rhubarb Pie!!! with fresh cream (not enough of it!)

My new friend Annie. She and I were accused of skewing the average age of the DKC membership. Yep, I'm the baby. Feels good to be the babe sometimes.

Our next stop after lunch was Camilla Valley Farm. Lots of stuff for the weaver and knitter and what a beautiful property. Worth the drive!

Fresh skeins of Manos silk. I desperately wanted to buy some of this lime green, but thought better after leaving the Needle Emporium with my sweater kit. I managed to score some amazing linen, cotton, and wool at $1 per cone or skein in the bargain bin because they were supposedly "mill ends".

A good look at the merchandise.

The woman in the purple top is the prez of the Toronto Downtown Knit Collective. She is spunky and way cool. Her name is Carol!

Taking a break outside of the Camilla Valley Farm Weaver's Supply Shop

A view from their property.

That's the end of our trip. We head home, our bellies full, our bags full, and our wallets empty, smiles on our faces all the while. Until next year, I hope.