Unsung Hero: Alpaca Heather

Welcome to the very first blog in our “Unsung Heroes” of the yarn shop series. Every month we’re going to spotlight one special yarn in the shop that doesn’t get the love that it deserves. These are the yarns that we love to bits but are baffled that they don’t get more attention. Every month, our unsung hero will be 15% off for one week following the blog release to encourage you to give it a try. The discount will be added to your cart automatically when you check out.

October’s unsung hero is Manos del Uruguay’s Alpaca Heather. I first brought this yarn in last fall when I saw Shannon Solomon’s Aubree cardigan on Instagram. My heart went a flutter and I needed to make that cardi, and I needed to bring that yarn in NOW. Unfortunately, the store being closed due to the pandemic stunted this yarn’s debut a bit.

Alpaca Heather is a gorgeous blend of 70% ecru wool and 30% Alpaca in three natural shades to create three heathered bases: Toast, Beige and Grey. The natural undyed bases are available in generous 150g skeins. Each of these bases is then hand dyed in gorgeous autumnal colours to create a rich subtle tonal palette, perfect for colourwork. Some of you may know that I’m not a big knitter of hand-dyed yarns, but when I fall for one it’s usually like this – Heathered bases that create a depth of colour, and subtle tonal dying techniques that don’t really look hand dyed, just special somehow.

I’ve finally finished my Aubree cardigan in the colour Bing Cherry and I am dying to share it with you! I sewed the buttons on this morning and I’ve been wearing it all day. The Alpaca gives it the perfect amount of drape and softness so it feels nice against my skin, the wool holds the shape of the textured stitches and makes the cardi warm and cozy but not sweaty. I have a feeling this baby is going to be in my regular rotation. Thanks to my sister Sable for taking these photos!

If Aubree isn’t your kinda project, I’ve put together a lot of project ideas for your perusal. Here’s a list that I put together on Ravelry: https://ravel.me/knitdeanna/ahp

Here are some of my Favourites

Reed by Anna Johanna
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reed-6

If you have the Strands of Joy book, then this pattern is already in your library. It really highlights how fantastic Alpaca Heather is for Colourwork. I also love the little dots in the main part of the sweater.

Weekend Shawl by Suvi Knits
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/weekend-shawl-2

A Beautiful, textured shawl, combining three colors. The shawl is worked in bias from cast on tip to the bind off row, increasing stitches at the beginning of right side rows. I would choose one of the naturals for the main colour then have fun choosing two accents from the hand-dyed options.

Miloyo by Lana Jois
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/miloyo

There are so many lovely details in this pullover, the boatneck, the garter detail at the shoulders, the curved “shirt tail” style hem. It’s simple and relaxed but well formed.

Paca Mittens by Luciana Lopez
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paca-mittens

Filed under cute and quick, these fingerless mitts are a free pattern, and a perfect way to take Alpaca Heather out for a spin.