Shearing Day

The annual harvest. Alpacas are shorn once a year and their fleece comes off in different parts. The best part of their fiber is on the back and is called the blanket. This fiber is usually used for yarn. The seconds are the area of the neck and rump and depending on animal can also be very useable for yarn. The thirds are the legs, and those fibers are usually short and coarse. Their use is more for rugs, dryer balls and other items. Every animals is different, and so many factors determine their fiber quality. It comes down to touch and feel to determine what quality grade you have and how the fiber is best used.

The animals look so different after shearing, but it certainly feels better on hot days to take that winter coat off. We are excited to get our fiber processed and the fiber we have been picking up from other ranches. There is great care that goes into breeding and care of these animals and we love to be part of this community that strives for such compassionate husbandry.