Trellianna's Fleece
I forgot to mention that I sent Trellianna's fleece to Kim Upper aka "The Spinning Guy" to spin into yarn. We purchased Anna from Kim and Pam Upper @ Upper Alpacas
As part of the contract for Anna, came the spinning of one fleece. I don't know much about the fiber end of the alpaca business and I'm not sure if I want to know because it sure looks like a lot of work. For right now, I'll leave that to the professionals. At any rate, I think it's exciting and I will keep you posted on that.
You can check out Kim's blog by clicking the link either in the sidebar or above. They have since moved from Oregon to Alabama and are now under an hours drive to our farm. They are welcome to come see their "girl" at anytime.
In the picture below is a bag of fleece that was shorn off Peruvian Marilyn last May. Alpacas are shorn once a year, usually in the spring. In addition to harvesting their fleece, shearing is important in assisting the alpaca to tolerate the heat of summer.
In the picture you can see the bag with the blanket portion of the fleece or prime fleece which is separate from the coarser portion that is bagged as seconds. A smaller zip lock baggie holds a sample of the fiber to send off for grading.
As part of the contract for Anna, came the spinning of one fleece. I don't know much about the fiber end of the alpaca business and I'm not sure if I want to know because it sure looks like a lot of work. For right now, I'll leave that to the professionals. At any rate, I think it's exciting and I will keep you posted on that.
You can check out Kim's blog by clicking the link either in the sidebar or above. They have since moved from Oregon to Alabama and are now under an hours drive to our farm. They are welcome to come see their "girl" at anytime.
In the picture below is a bag of fleece that was shorn off Peruvian Marilyn last May. Alpacas are shorn once a year, usually in the spring. In addition to harvesting their fleece, shearing is important in assisting the alpaca to tolerate the heat of summer.
In the picture you can see the bag with the blanket portion of the fleece or prime fleece which is separate from the coarser portion that is bagged as seconds. A smaller zip lock baggie holds a sample of the fiber to send off for grading.
posted by Ambriel Acres Alpacas | 9:38 AM
2 Comments:
You are right. Fiber processing is a lot of work. It's hard to find time to spin and work a day job and care for animals -- even when you want to spin. I understand not taking the time and spending the energy to process your own fleeces.
Still, I think you should LEARN the process. Understanding fiber processing is, in my opinion, part of understanding alpaca fiber as a product. Your husbandry and breeding decisions have an an impact on processing. You're money ahead understanding that impact.
I think the best way to learn is to borrow a wheel, borrow a drum carder, and process a fleece or two. That's not the only way. You can follow your fleece through a mill, or take a class, or brows a fiber festival talking to people.
Don't spend the money on a wheel and a carder unless you really want to spin. Don't take the time to spin a third fleece unless you really enjoy the first two. Do borrow some equipment and spend the time to process eight ounces from two different animals. Do tour a mill. Do browse a couple fiber festivals. Do take the time to learn what's involved in fiber processing. Do take the time to learn from the fiber subculture. Think of the time as continuing education and put the money in your education budget.
You are right. I will learn about the process in order to understand the fiber better as a product. Tara and I will be going to the alpaca show in Shelbyville on March 1st. I remember last year they had a wheel there at one of the booths. I will ask questions and take some notes while I'm there. Thanks for the input.
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