It is the alpaca's fleece that makes these animals the profitable investment that they are. Alpaca fiber can achieve the softness that is comparable to cashmere. It is lighter, stronger, and more resilient than wool, and it is recognized by the worldwide fiber market in 22 natural colors. Alpacas produce one of the worlds finest and most luxurious natural fibers. And, the alpaca itself is relatively rare as compared to other livestock animals. The Fiber portion of our website focuses on many topics relevant to fiber. You’ll find articles and resources from characteristics of the fiber, to Evaluating the fiber and understanding micron reports, to Shearing and preparing for shearing day, then Processing including a list of processors and mills. The Fiber Arts includes a motherlode of information on Spinning, Weaving, Felting, Dyeing, Knitting, and Crocheting with articles on the history of the arts as well as terminology, instructions, resources and ideas on how to use this luxury fiber. Check back often as this website is a work in process!



More About the Fiber

About Alpaca Fiber

Alpaca Fleece, The Luxurious, Rare Specialty Fiber

Alpaca Fiber - More Valued Than Silver

Alpaca Fiber, A Natural Elegance

Fiber Production StatsThe Fiber Glossary

What Makes Alpaca Fiber So Versatile?

There is a very strong market for alpaca products internationally with supply always falling short of demand. To compete in this global fiber market, we need to be breeding for specific fiber characteristics. The other factor we need to pay attention to is nutrition. Fiber quality is based equally on genetics and nutrition. We need to have a solid understanding of the fiber itself, from breeding to feeding to processing.

More About Evaluating the Fiber

Springtime is shearing season. Much like a barn raising or a quilting bee, shearing day is a time for teamwork and sharing. Some farms shear their own animals, others hire it done. The key is to be prepared, be organized, and to do it as quickly and efficiently as possible so there is minimal stress on the alpacas, especially the pregnant females! Shearing our alpacas is of utmost importance. It is critical to the health of our alpacas. The true value of shearing, however, lies in its influence on fiber utilization. Prior to shearing season, breeding decisions, nutrition, and environment effect fiber growth and quality. Once shorn, the alpaca fleece becomes a tangible commodity with the potential to be sold and transformed into product. Shearing is the fulcrum of the process. The removal of an alpaca’s fleece can’t improve the inherent quality of the fiber, but it can easily ruin a year’s growth. Shearing is an opportunity to evaluate our success, or lack of, in producing quality, marketable alpaca fiber.

More About Shearing

Alpaca Shearing

Alpaca Shearing Tips

Cleaning The Fiber

Equipment and Technique

Processing of alpaca fiber has grown significantly in the past several years and mini-mills are springing up around the country. Owners wishing to add value to their fiber can have alpaca fleece processed into finished alpaca products including bats, rovings, felt, and finished yarns. Preparation prior to processing is key in the production of a quality end-product.

Fiber Preparation

Fleece Preparation From A Processor's Point of View

Flow Chart

Shear Economics

Sorting Alpaca Fiber



Fiber Processors

Alpaca Dreamin' Fiber Mill

A+ Alpaca Fiber Mill

Fantasy Fibers

Georgia Mountain Fiber

Klamath River Alpacas

MidCoast Fiber Mill

Morning Star Fiber

New England Alpaca Fiber Pool

NEWAIM Fiber Mill

Fiber art is a style of fine art which uses textiles such as fabric, yarn, and natural and synthetic fibers. It focuses on the materials and on the manual labor involved as part of its significance. More than just an array of techniques As hooks and needles weave and loop … your tensions ease and your mind relaxes. Just ask anyone . . . There’s something about touching the fibers, feeling the colors, watching something take form . . . something soothing, comforting . . . something energizing and fun. Simply wonderful . . . something made by your own hands and your own heart . . . something timeless . . . Or make something just for fun! Some of the fiber art forms that can be engaged in using alpaca fiber are Spinning, Weaving, Felting, Dyeing, Knitting, and Crocheting. Be sure to click the Read More About . . . links to find out more about everything from the history of the fiber art form, to “how to do it”, to many ideas and resources to guide you on a creative journey with ALPACA FIBER!

Spinning

Spinning is the process of creating yarn (or thread, rope, cable) from various raw fiber materials. In spinning, separate fibers are twisted together to bind them into a long, stronger yarn. Characteristics of the yarn vary based on the material used, fiber length and alignment, quantity of fiber used and degree of twist.

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Weaving

Weaving is an ancient textile art and craft that involves placing two sets of threads or yarn called the warp and weft of the loom and turning them into cloth.

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Felting

Felt is a non-woven cloth that is produced by matting, condensing and pressing fibers. The fibers form the structure of the fabric. While some types of felt are very soft, some are tough enough to form construction materials. Felt can be of any color, and made into any shape or size.

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Dyeing

Dyeing is the process of imparting colour to a textile material in loose fibre, yarn, cloth or garment form by treatment with a dye.

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Knitting

To knit, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is "to form (fabric) by interlacing yarn or thread in a series of connected loops with needles." It has origins in the basic human need for clothing proper to protect against the elements; more recently, since the introduction of inexpensive synthetics to the garment industry, the art of knitting has become less a source of income, and more a hobby, enjoyed by those of both sexes.

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Crocheting

Crochet (pronounced /kroʊˈʃeɪ/) is a process of creating fabric from yarn or thread using a crochet hook. The word is derived from the Middle French word croc or croche, meaning hook. Crocheting, similar to knitting, consists of pulling loops of yarn through other loops. Crochet differs from knitting in that only one loop is active at one time (the sole exception being Tunisian crochet), and that a crochet hook is used instead of knitting needles.

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Spinning Links

Weaving Links

Felting Links

Dyeing Links

Knitting Links

Crocheting Links



Fiber Cooperatives

AFCNA--Alpaca Fiber Cooperative of North America

NEAFP--New England Alpaca Fiber Pool

Rocky Mountain Lama Fiber Pool



Fiber Crafts

Fiber To Fashion And Beyond

New Craft for Llama and Alpaca Wool



Fiber Festivals

NY State Sheep & Wool Festival

Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival



Fiber Publications

Wild Fibers



Historical Notes On Fiber

Early American Fiber Skills-Ancestry Fiber Arts Magazine



Other Fiber Links

Alpacas For The Fiber Arts

Fiber Finds