Our farm added alpacas more than six years ago and today we have almost a dozen of these exotic creatures in our pastures. As typical with our farm story, we started with two alpacas (we also started with two goats years before that!) that were bred and then added a cria (baby alpaca) who had been rejected by her mother and needed to be bottle fed.
Since we bottle feed our goat babies, bottle feeding a cria was a very natural extension to our farm skills. Little Luna would follow my husband around the barn during chore time. She is still the most friendly alpaca we have and this fall she delivered her own little cria.
Why is alpaca fiber so special?
Alpaca fiber is soft, lightweight, and strong; providing coziness without added weight.
Alpaca fiber is softer, warmer, and more durable than sheep's wool.
Alpaca fiber is naturally hypoallergenic. It is less irritating than wool, making it an excellent choice for those with wool allergies. It also retains fewer odors compared to other natural fibers.
Alpaca fiber has a glossy sheen and a soft feel similar to cashmere.
Alpaca fiber does not pill! It will felt if washed improperly; but it will not pill up.
Alpaca yarn is usually more expensive than wool or other natural fiber yarns. Why is that?
Alpacas are sheared just once annually; rather, than twice a year like sheep. This yearly shearing results in longer alpaca fibers, leading to better yarn quality. Our alpacas are sheared late spring to ensure they stay cool during the summer, and their coats can regrow before the cold winter months arrive. Since alpacas do not naturally shed, shearing is also essential for proper animal care.
After shearing, I have bags and bags of fiber! Processing alpaca fiber requires specialty fiber mills that are equipped to handle the unique characteristics of alpaca fiber. It can be slipperier than wool and more difficult to spin into yarn. Not every fiber mill will accept alpaca fiber. It is a laborious process but alpaca yarn is well worth the effort and extra expense. Products crafted from alpaca yarn can literally last for decades, making them a worthwhile investment.
Our alpaca yarn here at the farm is usually blended with another fiber to help the alpaca fiber keep its shape and elasticity. The blend varies. Sometimes it is targhee wool (An Idaho heritage breed!), merino wool, or recently I experimented with a bamboo blend! My current favorites are targhee and bamboo.
Hand stitching or weaving with my own alpaca yarn has been deeply satisfying. There is nothing quite like creating a product with fiber from animals right outside my kitchen window, whether it be a woven rug, woven scarf, or hand stitched hat or scarf. I feel each strand of yarn through my fingers as it becomes part of a whole new creation. Each product takes a considerable amount of alpaca yarn! Not to mention the actual time spent weaving, crocheting or knitting.
So, remember the time and care put into each stitch when you purchase our handmade alpaca products! We love being able to create these items for you and your home.
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