Weaving with alpaca

Yarn: Ode Alpaca from Gist Yarn in colors Obsidian and Boysenberry

Weaving draft: Toasted Marshmallow from Gather Textiles

Specs:
8-reed

Measurements:
Boysenberry -
Obsidian - 74” long x 15.5” wide

Finishing: Hemstitched each end on the loom, wet blocked and hung to dry

Boysenberry design: For this diagonal poncho, I didn’t do any cutting or machine sewing. Using a yarn needle, I hand sewed one short end of the length to a mid-way point on the opposite long end, to create a slight triangle drop in the front.

Obsidian design: I divided the length of the fabric into four equal 18.5” sections. Before cutting each section, I used the sewing machine to zigzag stay-stitch along either side of the cut line. After cutting, I zigzag stitched again along the raw ends of the cut.

Once I had four equal lengths, I hand sewed the two lengths with fringe together for the front, and the two lengths without fringe together for the back. I chose to sew an exposed seam, to emphasize the center front and center back. Then I hand sewed the front to the back at the shoulders. Finally, I hand sewed a 9” length from underarm to partway down the side, to create sleeves, and vented sides.

I wanted the poncho to be longer, but I ran out of yarn for the weft before I ran out of warp, so I had to end at that point. Next time, I’ll make the finished length at least 24” longer, so that I can add at least 6” to the length of each section.