CRAFT & CREATE

On Saturday 28 January an enthusiastic band of crafters gathered together at Essex Young Farmers Club Centre to celebrate the joys of working with alpaca fibre by Kath Shearer (EAG Secretary).

It was one of the first in person events that Eastern Alpaca Group had hosted since lockdown and the pleasure of spending time amongst friends and new acquaintances again was clear to all.

A range of crafters had kindly offered their time and skills for the day. Jo Bridge (Hilly Ridge Alpacas), Simon Ilett (Moat Alpacas) and Di Wain were spinning using drop spindles and spinning wheels. Jo Parker (Rushmere Alpacas) was creating peg loom rugs. Kath and Neel Shearer (Free Range fibre) were crocheting and weaving, and Emma Taylor (East Anglia Alpaca Mill, Alpacas of East Anglia and Exclusively Alpaca) was demonstrating machine knitting.

A small cafe area had been set up, and in between slices of cake and cups of tea, participants were learning to spin alpaca yarn, crochet squares, set up looms, knit hats and weave rugs. Lots of beautiful yarns and finished products were also on display and available for sale.

The day was a huge success with the atmosphere in the room alive with chat, laughter and love of all things alpaca. Lots of new crafters left the Centre with ideas for their own alpaca fibre and plans are already afoot to host another Craft & Create next year!