  |
|
Raw alpaca fibre We can supply raw fibre, completely unprocessed, as it comes from the alpacas when they are shorn. Alpaca fibre is available in white, black and various shades of fawn, brown and grey – some of which are rarer than others. Please contact us for colour availability and to discuss your requirements. Please Note: Being completely unprocessed, raw fibre does contain some vegetable matter and dust. – But no lanolin making it hypoallergenic and easy to work with. Baby alpaca fibre (first fleece) £24/kg including UK P&P. We can ship to Europe for an additional £6/kg. For shipping costs outside of Europe please contact us for an individual quotation. Alpacas are shorn once a year, usually in early summer, by a professional shearer. They are completely unharmed by shearing and it is a good opportunity to give them a quick health check, including toes and teeth. At the time of shearing, the courser fibre from the legs and belly, and the fine but short fibre from the neck is separated from the prized ‘blanket’ from the back and sides of the animal. The fibre from alpacas (as with other animals) becomes courser as they age. So the first fleece from an animal will be the finest it ever produces. We can supply fibre from older animals if you require. Fine alpaca fibre from a young animal is ideally suited to craft uses, especially spinning and felting. It makes gorgeously soft yarn and felt that can be worn against the skin without the prickle associated with sheep’s wool. Alpaca can also be successfully blended with other fibres to create yarns with different properties. We have made some super-luxurious yarns by combining baby alpaca with small amounts of cashmere or British angora!
|
