In the spring we shear our alpacas and process the fleece. Shearing day is busy and exciting. It is important that all the alpacas are dry and ready to go when the Shearer arrives. Each alpaca is placed and secured on the shearing table, and the process is completed in 10-15 minutes. Once the alpacas have been shorn we package the fleece and send it off to be processed into bats, rovings and yarn. When the fiber comes back to us, we offer it for sale to the public. For more information, please contact us at: info@bluestonealpacas.com
We also hold workshops on handling, spinning and weaving alpaca fiber.
History
The alpaca and llama were both domesticated from their cousins the guanaco and the vicuna around 7,000 years ago - providing food, clothing and transportation for humans throughout the Andean countries of South America.
With the introduction of these two camelid species to North America there is now the chance to build a Canadian camelid fibre industry. Do date the numbers of animals have not been great enough to supply fibre for a commercial industry, but there is already a thriving cottage industry with ample room for expansion moving ultimately to commercial production
Alpaca Fiber Facts
Alpacas have been selectively bred for their fine fibre for more than 5000 years. Over the centuries alpaca coat colours was diversified and fibre production was refined. Guard hair, which is present on the wild guanaco and vicuna and the domestic llama, has for the most part been bred out of the alpaca. Alpacas have two different types of fleece.
Huacaya alpacas are distinguished by their thick dense fleece growing vertically from the body. Huacaya fibre has a brightness or sheen.
Suri alpacas are distinguished by their long silky fibre that grows parallel to the body and hangs in long, separate, distinctive pencil locks. It has a slick hand and softness with an exquisite luster.
Alpaca is considered to be a relatively rare specialty fibre. Worldwide approximately 4000 tons of alpaca fibre is produced each year in comparison to 5000 tons of Cashmere, 8500 tons of Angora rabbit and 22,000 tons of Mohair. Of the 4000 tons of alpaca produced annually, less than 1% of that is produced each year in North America. We, in North America, are at the very early stages of the alpaca fibre industry, and there is incredible room for expansion and development of this natural fibre resource.
Alpaca fibre combines a number of extremely desirable attributes into one fibre:
1. Alpaca fibre is silky, soft, supple and smooth to the touch. It is prized for its unique silky feel and luxurious handle.
2. Alpaca is found in 22 distinct colours, which can be blended into an infinite array of natural shades.
3. Alpaca is unusually strong and resilient. The strength does not diminish as itbecomes finer.
4. Alpaca is as soft as cashmere and warmer and stronger than lambs' wool.
5. Alpaca is easily dyed any colours and always retains its natural luster.
6. Alpaca contains microscopic air pockets, which creates lightweight clothing with good insulating values.
7. Most people can comfortably wear pure alpaca next to their skin.
8. Today, alpaca graces fashion collections around the world: Frankfurt, Florence, Paris, London, New York, Milan and Tokyo.
Credit: Information from CABA and AOBA
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