So, here is where it all starts, with happy, healthy alpacas!
Stress does affect fiber quality - see the smiles on these two? Meet Unlimited Joy and Ariella! There are two different breeds of alpacas, suri and huacaya, and the difference is their fleece. A suri's fleece grows vertically to the ground, in dreadlocks, and will grow clear to the ground if not shorn. A huacaya has more of a teddy bear look and their fleece grows horizontal away from their bodies. I think of a suri as being majestic and a huacaya as cute!
Huacaya Fleece
Suri Fleece
In the Dye Pot with Gaywool Dye
Carded
Carding is the process of combing and blending fibers together - an art form in itself. This is a blend of hand dyed suri and natural brown huacaya.
Rovings Wound Into A Ball for Spinning
Hand Spun Into A Single Ply Yarn
Finished Two-Ply Yarn - Food For The Soul!
Stunning yarn!
ReplyDeleteReally cool to see the process from start to finish! Love the colors here.
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