Original content by https://alpacameadows.com.
From farm to Yarn, it is all quite a process, and I’m happy to say it comes with great satisfaction! To raise the alpacas, and then be able to offer our very own Farm Yarn to knitters and crocheters and weavers, to enjoy making things with it, just is pretty darn cool! Occasionally I’ll use it myself, but mostly save it for customers, because when it’s gone, well it’s gone. This is the case on a small alpaca farm that only harvests a limited amount of fiber each year from their herd, which makes if even more special. There many steps involved in processing alpaca fiber into yarn, which I plan to write about in future posts. When yarn finally arrives on our front porch, well it’s like Christmas!
We delivered three years worth of alpaca fiber to Stramba Farm and Fiber Mill in Wampum, PA. I shared with Terri that I’d like the huacaya spun into a worsted weight yarn, that I didn’t want all solid colors, and gave her “artistic license” to mix and match and blend. That she did, and the yarn she and her staff created is beautiful!
Farm Yarns
Several of the yarn colors are solid, like Amelia and Derecho, others are heathered and marled yarns, and some are barberpole, that have two different colors plied against each other. Everyone of them is pretty and delightfully soft! I must warn you that with so many colors, there is a limited amount of some of them, so if you plan on purchasing, be sure to order plenty for your project! For this reason, we also carry a beautiful selection of yarn from The Alpaca Yarn Company … we don’t want anyone running out of alpaca yarn!
There is something very rewarding about raising the alpacas that produce the fiber that can be made into roving, then yarn, then beautiful knit and crocheted and woven items. For knitters and crocheters that visit our farm, they love the yarn that comes from our own alpacas!
Amelia is a favorite to many. Not the sweetest disposition, but isn’t she striking with those highlights in her topknot!
Arica has used Amelia as her 4-H project for the last few years, and has definitely made progress with her.
I might even go so far as saying they have a bond between them. Amelia will let her put a hula hoop over her head, step through a plastic kiddie pool, and go over bridges for her.
Roving from Amelia
This is Roving made from Amelia’s fiber. It almost has a personality, doesn’t it, knowing the alpaca that grew it? The roving is truly soft and wonderful for the hand spinner that enjoys spinning her/his own yarn. Be sure to check out the other pretty colors of Alpaca Roving too!
Alpaca Yarn from Amelia
This is yarn made from Amelia’s fiber. Alpaca yarn is pricey, or maybe it isn’t when you understand all that is required from birthing that alpaca baby to the final step of gluing the labels on those luxuriously soft skeins of Alpaca Yarn. Is Alpaca Wool Expensive? 5 Reasons Why (Not)!
Coming soon is a Bulky Weight Lopi Style Alpaca yarn! Processing at the mill as I write this post is our Suri Yarn and Rug Yarn. Interested in seeing what we’ve done with our fiber other years? Take a look at What I Did With This Year’s Alpaca Fiber. Or perhaps you’re interested in the shearing process? See posts and learn more about Shearing.
I might have mentioned how rewarding it is to raise alpacas and create beautiful things from their fiber, there are other reasons to raise alpacas! Be sure to read 10 Reasons to Raise Alpacas.
The post Alpaca Yarn Back From the Mill first appeared on Alpaca Meadows.
