Your Fleece's Journey

Every incoming batch of alpaca fiber is carefully washed with eco-friendly detergent in temperature-controlled water, ensuring the delicate fibers remain undamaged. After washing, the alpaca fiber is gently placed on drying racks, allowing it to air dry completely.

All alpaca fiber is processed through the picker, which carefully opens the fibers without causing breakage while removing any tangles. To enhance the processing and minimize static, conditioning agents may be reintroduced as needed. 

Dehairing is highly recommended for obtaining a high quality yarn from dual-coated animals. The dehairing machine separates the guard hairs from the desired fine fibers, improving the softness. Not every fleece runs through the dehairer; it may not need it or it may not have enough tinsel strength to make it. Mill decides on site.   

*Customers may opt out if specified. 

The carding machine aligns individual alpaca fibers into a parallel arrangement crucial to making an even and consistent yarn. Roving or batts are formed at this stage.

Rovings from the carding machine are then fed through the pindrafter to further align the fleece. This produces a more uniform yarn with less thick or thin defects. 

The yarn is then spun to desired weight from lace to bulky. For a stronger yarn, one or more strands can be plyed together.

The skein is made by forming a continuous coil of yarn that has been wound around a circulating frame.

*Customers may choose cones if specified.