What's a Girl to do with 17lbs of Alpaca Fiber?

[fwlady]

I am absolutely giddy with excitement!!

I got my box 2 days early, and how I ended up with it, is still somewhat a mystery. My stepmother's younger sister has a ranch. She has some regular animals and then some rescues. Llamas and alpacas. She has had a few babies just recently. About 6 mos ago, right after I had learned to knit, I mentioned to my mom that I would love to buy some of her wool yarn. She said that she sends it off and a lady knits it up. Then, I got another video and newspaper article about one of her alpaca (one that had her back broke at 1 day old from a stampede, walks with aid, and now is a service animal to the elderly), and I jokingly said that I would love to get some of her yarn/fiber. My mother said she would ask again. Well, my aunt decided to bless me with a package. I thought it was going to be a little 3 lb box. But, instead, it is huge, and weighs over 18lbs in all.

I am trying to get ready for my grand opening for my store, so I can't do anything with it yet, unfortunately. I was told it is just too much, and I should send it to a mill to be done up. The prices aren't too bad, but my DD says it will cut into her bottom line. LOL I have sort of put them in charge of starting the process, but not immediately. I know they will need my help. But, by my guesses, there could easily be 80+ skeins of yarn in this box. But, then I was told that I really need 15% normal wool to add to the alpaca. My sister has a shetland sheep, and has some fiber that I am going to try and trade. She hasn't gotten into the spinning yet.

I am a knitter/diaper maker. I wasn't anticipating getting into spinning, but with this much, I might be better to buy a wheel. You can rent one??? I should check that out. It will be a long LONG tedious process, but I do know that it will be worth it.

One of my other ideas, was to trade fiber for yarn. Like give a spinner whatever amount they want for her to spin, she'd keep some and send some back. Or she could just give me some wool yarn in return. I can't really use all that much alpaca, because I use wool for diaper covers, shorties, and longies. I do plan to make some stuff for my aunt, and any profits we make will go towards Holli, her special alpaca. That is why my DD doesn't want to send it out, because we would have to make that up with profits from the yarn, and she wants to make as much as we can for Holli's care.

Can I just add some angel hair (those silky synthetic irridescent fibers) to give it some stability and interest? I know the thick thin is suppose to be popular right now, and being new, it will probably end up that way, my sister said.

I have a grey top and a faun top with white and all kinds of tans. They are really pretty and soft. It looks like they came from young adult alpacas, but I really don't know. I really think it would be easier if we have someone clean and card it, and then we dye it and spin it. I did get me a drop spindle, so that should be here soon. I will get carders this weekend. My aunt's friend that took care of her fiber had health problems, and I guess couldn't take the tops anymore. What a blessing for us!!

Any pearls of wisdom? Kymberli

[JamieCatheryn]

I'd send it off to a fiber mill if not ready to seriously begin carding and spinning yet, since proper equipment would be out of my price range for now much as I'd love to get into that. Go in together with your sister on an order and have the mill blend the wool and alpaca for a lovely yarn. Then you and your sister can split it and hand dye it.

[~Boudicca~]

I have no advice on your fiber windfall but congrats! That is really cool. I have always wanted to learn how to process/spin wool.

Good luck with the store opening!

[fwlady]

TY ladies! Well, my DD was so anxious to get her hands into it. So, we took some pics, as an online friend wanted to see it. Not sure if she wants to do a trade or not. And, we began washing some of it tonight. We got a bag of dark grey done and a bag of the beige and white done. Just before we were going to take it out to the trampoline to dry overnight, it start thundering. So much for THAT idea! LOL

I told DD that I would really like to skirt and wash them all as our first step. Then, we can store it as long as needed to get to it. So, that is going to be her mission first. After that, we can do it step by step for just a lb or 2 at a time. As she gets better, we will go to the best fibers. When we looked through it all, I became even more impressed. I think she actually sent me 3 blankets. We got a nice brown, the gray and the faun which I know is Holli's because she is a young alpaca.

I tried to arrange the trade with my sister by phone and she agreed. But, then I FBed her to make sure we agreed on the details and so far no answer. So, I think I would be better off to just buy 3 lbs online (since that would be the 15% we would need), and just do it all ourselves. She is a little flaky, and has a large family of her own. So, I just figure it is how it will be. I have plenty to trade if she comes back later, that is for sure!!

I was online last night, and I just can't believe all the things we can do with it. We don't even have to spin it to sell it, there are many things ppl buy with the alpaca that doesn't have to be yarn. I know we couldn't do what some of these pros have. But, my DD is ambitious, so maybe she will learn the craft enough to want to do it when she grows up. Kymberli

[JamieCatheryn]

That's so cool that you're going to tackle it yourself! Me, I'd send any fiber to the mill until I could buy a drum carder and spinning wheel. Will you be hand carding it into roving? This sounds like an exciting project and of interest to wanna-be spinners like me. Keep us posted on your progress and process?

[fwlady]

Sorry to MIA so long ladies. Thanks! I have been busy trying to get things done, but I did manage to make a hat out of the fiber that my 2 daughters carded and spun. One is carding, the other spinning. I have pics on FB; www.facebook.com/knottybottomdiapers We have a ton of it dyed for carding (since dying fiber is a LOT easier than yarn). The girls are impatient with the process. I may just have to do some trades and what not. I was going to trade with my sister, but she never answered me back about it. So, I won't send any through the mail if I am not sure to get the other back. We have it all cleaned, so I may do some FFS too, as the girls seem to already getting bored of it. They were SOOOO excited to get going on it, get yarn and rovings made to sell, to earn the dog they are both wanting. But, I think I may not have to worry about a dog. Neither of us want to involve a dog into our family, but they are SOO persistant. LOL Kymberli