Fine white Huacaya Alpaca fibre exhibiting brightness and crimp.
Alpacas need to be sheared annually and yield approximately 3 to 5 Kilos of fleece. If like us, you are convinced that the future of Alpaca farming is in the production of fine quality fibre, you will need someone to process it into top quality yarn or fabric.
Commercial Processors
If you simply want to sell your fleeces, there are commercial processors who will buy raw fleece for a specific price per kilo depending on the quality. The price varies each year, contact Livanti Alpacas for details.
Above: Alpaca Country Socks - These socks are knitted with a yarn made up of the finest British Alpaca with a little bit of nylon for lasting strength.
Left: Ladies Crew neck jumper 85% alpaca, 15% fine merino wool & 100% alpaca multicoloured scarf
Throws -
80% alpaca,
20% wool.
Local Fibre Groups
Handbags made from Alpaca fabric and felt.
Scarves made from natural (black) and dyed Alpaca fibre.
Hand Spinners at the Herts Show.
There are informal arrangements in some local areas where several breeders pool their fleeces in order to reduce wastage and processing costs. Various fabrics and yarns have been produced which members then use and sell.
Clearly, local fibre groups add value to the raw fleece and their products can be sold through Country/County Shows, mail order, stores or the Internet.
Mills
A mini-mill is a small-scale textile mill. There are two Mini Mills and one Alpaca fibre processing Mill within 50 miles of Livanti Alpacas and their primary function is to provide a direct service to fibre producers. These mills can produce top quality and unique products from small quantities of fibre. Fibre may be supplied by one farm or, to achieve economies of scale, a number of farms. If required, the finished product can be returned to the actual fibre producer.
A mill adds value by spinning the fibre into yarn. These products can then be sold through Country/County Shows, mail order, stores or the Internet.
Obviously, further associations with the knitting, weaving and other local industries also add value to the raw product/fleece.
Hand Spinners and Weavers
Hand spinners and weavers are a recognised outlet for Alpaca fleece. There are many spinning, weaving and dying guilds in the UK and they are usually affiliated to the ‘National Association of Guilds of Spinners Weavers & Dyers.’
The objectives of the National Association are the preservation and improvement of the craftsmanship in hand weaving, spinning and dyeing for the benefit of the public and the promotion of public education in such craftsmanship.
