Breeding for Fiber

What Makes It A Quality Alpaca Fleece?

Alpaca, like sheep, has different characteristics depending on the individual animal it comes from. Some alpaca is quite crimpy, some quite smooth, some coarser and some finer. The length of the fibers will vary, and can be due to the animal's genetics or the talent of the shearer. The "blanket" (the area over the mid-section of the animal) is considered to be the best part, but in most animals the shoulders, rump and neck can also be very good. Leg hair is generally used for rugs, or stuffings and quilt batting. (The birds, squirrels and chipmunks around our farm have uses for leg fiber, too!)Take an overview look at the fleece: is it the color you want, is it clean or full of straw or seedheads, is it in organized locks or matted or tangled up? Does it make you want to grab a handful and start spinning, or does it make you want to turn away? Your first impression of the fleece will tell you whether it's worth taking more time to look at the details or not. The price of the fleece may be a consideration here -- if it's inexpensive and you have the time and inclination to deal with dirt and other flaws, great, but if your time is valuable, choose a clean, open fleece which should cost more than the bargain fleece and will save you time and effort. When you buy prime fleece you will want a fleece that's clean, uniform, and ready to spin straight out of the bag. If you have a particular project in mind before you choose a fleece, consider the nature of the yarn you'll need. For next-to-the-skin wear you'll need the softest, finest fiber (adult prime, or baby prime and standard), but for a warm outer sweater you can choose a medium grade fiber (adult standard). The "prickle factor" comes into play at around 28+ microns (the average diameter of the fiber is measured in microns), and that's the point where you'll want to relegate fiber to non-clothing items. Fiber with more crimp is considered to be more elastic than smooth fibers. In general, alpaca is not as elastic as wool and some people blend it with sheep's wool to improve the elasticity. Keep in mind, however, that if you're making a knitted garment, the knitting itself will add elasticity, and the method of spinning will also impact the "memory" of the yarn. Garments made of 100% alpaca can keep their shape as well as garments made of wool do, and generally wear better over time. They are also warmer than sheep's wool, and can highlight the beautiful "drape" that is a characteristic of alpaca. The length of the fiber may determine how you process it -- fiber that's longer than five inches doesn't card well and is better spun from teased locks, flick-combed, or combed with hand combs. If you want to card the fiber, choose a shorter stapled fleece. The different preparations result in a different end product.

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