What to do with all this fiber.... . . . . .

JuliesAlpacas.com 

We have found a great way to enjoy our upcoming retirement that is both delightful and rewarding, financially and offers a terrific country lifestyle. If you'd like to find out more about alpacas, then come to our ranch for a visit. Or read about how we got started. www.QuarryCrittersAlpacas.com

For now read on to find out what to do with all this fiber....

What to do with all this fiber........

We last wrote about shearing day.
            Everyone is asking, "What are you going to do with all that wonderful fiber?"

Well. . . . ???

There are so many option and all of them are possible. First let me tell you we totaled over 200 pounds.

During the time the alpaca was on the mat with the shearer, a small sample was taken, called a "side sample". 

These side samples will be sent away to be evaluated for micro, among other things. This micro will tell us some direction to go on the use of certain fibers. 

For example: 

• Micron less than 20 = can be very comfortable next to you skin 
• Micron 20 - 22.9 = great for items that are used gently  such as shawls and baby items
• Micron 23 - 25.9 = most versatile use
• Micron 26 - 28.9 = Socks, throws, outerwear and felt
• Micron 29 - 32 = batts, duvets, outerwear and felt
• Micron 32.1 - 35 = batts, insulation and rugs

  So this little micron is an important decision maker in what to do with the fiber.  

Where do you start? 

Well what do I need most in my store, who is asking to buy? Start just about anywhere. 

I started by offering some of my best fiber to hand-spinners.  Hand-spinners are in love with the fiber and really appreciate the first choice of the very best. 

Shows?  Which fleece do I feel would receive a ribbon in the alpaca fleece show? 

Then the low the micron fibers (such as 20 - 25.9) will make the best yarn so I pick some of each color to be made into roving and yarn. 

Bronze Green Hand dyed Hand spun yarn

The  next step is to "skirt" the fleece. Skirting is where the fleece is laid out on a special table called a "Shirting table". There, all the undesirables, such as hay, dung or guard hairs,  are picked out of the fiber.

Drum Carder

Most of the fiber will be sent to mini mills to be cleaned, carded, and spun into yarn that you will see at the market or in the farm store.

Still other fiber will be sent to the co-op and processed into socks, hats, gloves, scarves, insoles and more. These are items also found at the Gettysburg Farmers' Market,  in our store on the ranch or the online store. The co-op and their mills are all here in the USA, most often right here in PA.
Some items that can't be made here in the USA are milled and made in Peru. We offer beautiful sweaters, hats, ruanas and more that have been made in Peru. Peru is one of the places that originally provided the USA with these wonderful alpacas about 30 years ago.

Here are a few items that are in the store now and soon to be available on line.

Reversible Ruana

Alpaca Teddy Bears

Shrug

USA made hats, mittens, insoles from North American Alpacas.

Sweater from Peru

Alpaca Boucle hat and scarf

Peru made alpaca throws

I hope that you have enjoyed reading about where the alpaca fiber goes.
Please call 717-359-9989 to schedule a farm tour
 and to shop at our farm store
called "Naturally Appealing Boutique at Quarry Critters" 

is home to Pennsylvania Alpacas.

Quarry Critters Alpaca Ranch is the home to an adorable and high-quality herd of ARI registered alpacas. We breed and raise alpacas for resale and for their fantastic fleece! It's extraordinarily strong and amazingly soft - a hand-spinner's dream fiber. Visit our online farm store www.QuarryCrittersAlpacas.com to purchase alpaca products. Or if you're looking to start a herd of your own, or add fine quality breeding stock to your existing herd, check out our Pennsylvania alpaca sale page.