At different times I have had alpacas on my farm. I have particular favorite alpacas, our beloved Gracie and her mom Flocka. Goodness at one time we had a whole herd over here. I have prepared and dyed alpaca fiber for my own use and our business for more than two decades now. We make a lot of both roving and yarn with alpaca. I have also spent some time being an intern at a mill. Volunteering/helping at an alpaca rescue farm. And for many years working for an international fleece judge which is where I learned how to grade alpaca. Even with all that experience, I wouldn’t call myself an expert – but, it is a bit more knowledge than average.
Alpaca’s are a bit more like cats, if one were to say goats and llama’s are like dogs. A goat is like a dog in that it will sit in your lap, jump around an be silly, and a llama can be like a working dog; they’re dedicated and loyal. So, by this poetic analogy, an alpaca is a bit like a cat – generally the alpaca decides how close to get or when to give you a kiss, and when to play. And, oooh how we think kittens are cute, alpacas play the same heart strings! They are so darn cute and fuzzy!
Huacaya alpaca fiber is super soft, fuzzy, and really warm!
Alpaca’s are on almost every continent now for commercial purposes. They originate from South America in Peru, Bolivia and Chile. They’re really popular in North America. However, now there are a lot of production herds in China. And, they have kind of been imported all over with a small imprint, mainly due to an interest in their fiber. And, even though there is a huge interest in the USA, and a focused breeding effort with shows, education, and marketing. And, there are some really good alpaca’s here, it is difficult not to say that some of the best and most consistent fiber simply comes from their homeland – the highlands of Peru.
Why is that? Perhaps the single biggest answer is their whole environment there. Diet, climate, and history have created something special. It is not that this can’t be recreated elsewhere, with effort it can. And people do. But, I’m just making the case that good Peruvian Alpaca is some pretty darn nice stuff.
What makes alpaca fiber nice? Everyone knows it is soft. Huacaya fiber is not very long in staple length, usually around 3 to 5 inches when taught. But, it grows with a very tiny and bouncy serrated/wiggle pattern. This means air is trapped and our hands feel the light touch of just hints of the fiber rather than the whole strand. Plus this feature creates a air pocket that warms the animal and if your are wearing the alpaca fiber – it warms you! So, when you combine a good grade of alpaca fiber – really 1 to 3 with its own natural features of warmth and softness, it becomes a smash hit with knitters, spinners and fiber enthusiasts.
I like our Tradesman yarn for a few reasons sited above and a few more…
It is made from all Peruvian highland bred and grown alpaca. So its incredibly nice fiber. Because it comes from the efforts of an entire region, rather than several small farms, it is available consistently, in a large variety of graded colors. And, it is prepared and spun really well! I don’t find short-cuts or veg. mat. The spinning is both lofty and surprisingly strong – I also haven’t found any issues with pilling. Pilling is a leading con to the pro of soft. So, this yarn is really good quality.
I do a lot of hand dye work on alpaca and this yarn too, but check out the natural spectrum in the Tradesman yarn. It’s amazing.
Loved learning about alpacas. Your animals have been central to the success of your farm. Keep on working and bringing pleasure to so many. Nancy