Sister of Providence Bernice Kuper won first place in the AOBA International Fleece Competition June 3. She is holding her prize winning hat.

The Sisters of Providence participated in the Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association (AOBA) International Fleece Competition during the AOBA World Alpaca Conference in Cleveland June 3-7.

Congratulations to Sister Bernice Kuper for winning a first place ribbon in the intermediate knit hat category.

Her “Pearls Squared” hat was hand knit from several different natural colors of scraps of 100 percent alpaca yarn leftover from larger projects.

Sister Bernice, who only learned to knit three years ago, estimates it took her about 30 hours to make the hat.

“To think, with my little experience … I was surprised to have it come out so well,” she said.

Fleece entry results

Alpaca fleece from White Violet Farm Alpacas receiving honors at this same show are as follows:

Providence Olivia, 2nd place in the medium brown female catagory
Providence Joseph, 3rd place in the rose gray male catagory
Providence Hildegard, 6th place in the all gray female catagory