Once a year the local Alpaca owners need to have their animals sheared of their fiber as the weather here is too hot for their well being. This year my schedule allowed me to be a part of this process. I can't even begin to explain how wonderful these animals are and how incredible their fiber is to handle. It is so soft it almost can't be felt. Over the course of a year between shearing each animal, the fiber grows and they appear very full and almost stocky. After shearing it is very clear how small these Alpacas truly are. They seem almost fragile with very long thin necks and sleek bodies. Quite a transformation.
These animals come in a variety of colors, and as the shearer is trimming the fiber away from the body, it almost shimmers as the newest fiber closest to the body is revealed. This particular herd consists of everything from white, to beige, to sable, to black and many colors in between. Each animal has it's own unique coloring, as well as, quality and texture of their fiber. A sample is sent to a lab that tests and grades the quality. It all feels wonderful to me.
The owner of these animals recently gave me some yarn spun from one of the Alpacas fiber from last year and I am currently crocheting it into a scarf for her. It is amazing to feel the energy of the animal in the yarn as I work. Since the animals are so different, it makes me want to crochet a scarf from the fiber of each of them. Preparing the fiber by cleaning, combing and spinning it into yarn is quite a process itself. So, we'll see.
Enjoy anything made with Alpaca fiber!
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