How to Process Wool and Alpaca Fibre into Yarn

[@juliewholohan2850]

Jillian eve podcasts on KZbin are amazing…she has taught me a lot.❤️

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Yes I love her!!

[@LittleGardenBigDreams]

I absolutely loved this video Linda. Seeing all the processes was so interesting, and these lost skills are so valuable to learn. Thanks for sharing xx Cathi xx 😘

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Thanks for that Cathi! These old skills are so much fun too. You can really enjoy some of the simpler things in life 😊

[@juliewholohan2850]

and put some non slip self lining under your wheel…it will stop it moving.👍

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Great idea - thanks 😄

[@rubygray7749]

​​@@huttonsvalleypermaculture I glued some suede onto the feet of my spinning wheel. That keeps it from running away from me on a slippery floor. Also having a mat underneath your spinning wheel and chair, is helpful. Maybe work on making a homespun rustic mat!! That blended colour is really lovely.

[@rubygray7749]

​@@huttonsvalleypermaculture😮h

[@naturewoman1274]

Hi Linda, hope you're doing well, now I've watched this video, I have a new found respect for true Aussie wool products, lots of time and work but a beautiful product, stay safe my friend love Kirsten xx

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Thanks Kirsten!! Yes bring back quality woollen products!

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

Thank you for this highly enjoyable video! I’m a beginner spinner myself and got lots of tips from a friend who has been spinning for years. Once I’d finished watching you spin, I went to check if you’d published more videos but didn’t find any. I hope you stuck with it, because consistency can be achieved! My friend told me fiber preparation is key. You might need a few extra carding passes to get a better finish to your fibre, there might be a few rough patches still in there. My friend also told me tore-draft and to spin slow and on the thin side, it’s easier to get the thick bits out. If you hit a snag (thick bit, whatever it’s called), stop, draft out that blob, give it some extra twist, and move on. Over time your drafting will improve and your yarn will become a lot more consistent. Going slow helps a lot to get the feel of your drafting. Happy spinning!

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Thanks Edda and thanks for the wonderful advice. I must admit since getting two young puppies last year I haven't had the spinning wheel out. They had decided it was good to chew so I'd tucked it away for a bit then got out of the spinning habit and have been buying yarn for knitting. I will definitely get it going again - I think my dogs are old enough to leave me be -fingers crossed!!

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

@@huttonsvalleypermaculture - Oh no! Puppies van definitely be a handful and they can decide anything is their latest favourite chewing target! You were absolutely right to sow away your spinning wheel! Somehow the scent of wool can be irresistible to pets as well. My Amstaff, even though he’s turning 13 this month cannot resist the scent of sheep’s wool. I need to keep my fibre and my yarns in a locked closet when I’m not around because our cat helps him to get at it even when I stash it on the highest shelf. A spinning wheel as a chew toy would be even worse. I hope you get back to spinning soon. It’s really relaxing and useful at the same time. Every year I make at least one Christmas present for a loved one myself. This year’ll be made out of commercial yarn but next year’s are all going to he home spun. A little tip for those second cuts you’ve been removing from your fleece: you can use them as fertiliser in your compost, as base material for felting, as stuffing or you can make felted dryer balls out of them. My neighbour helps with alpaca shearing every year, and she uses any waste from the shearings as compost as well as for making dryer balls. Next shearing seasons, I’m getting an alpaca fleece from her to process: a lot of local owners have no idea what to do with the fibre and simply throw it out apparently. Heartbreaking waste… I hope your puppies are growing out of their let's-chew-on-everything phase and are turning into real joys for you and your family. Not that they aren't joys already… I just hope the time investment goes more towards simply enjoying them rather than raising and teaching them.

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

@eddavanleemputten9232 yes they are getting much better thank you! I’m helping out with a few alpaca shearing days soon - will have to grab some of the waste for my compost! Hopefully in the new year I’ll get back to it - thanks again 😊

[@gin-almosthomestead2953]

What a beautiful video. I really enjoyed watching this process. I think every knitter goes through phases. For a time I only sought out "thick and thin" yarns because of the rustic texture. You've made a really lovely yarn and I can't wait to see your knitted hat :)

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Thanks I haven’t knitted for ages! I’m so excited to be able to make yarn and turn it into something I can wear!! Rustic is great for the moment but I do dream of consistency in the future haha! Cheers!

[@sw33tnycandy]

One of the best videos I've seen to date on the process from farm to yarn. Thank you.

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Thank you - pleased you enjoyed 😊

[@bryanray-dol]

Hello and merry Christmas 2024. I have 9 alpacas and I really want to start making hats and socks from the fiber. Thank you for your video, great camera angles and explanations for a beginner to understand the process!

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Good luck with your project!! Merry Christmas & have a happy new year !!

[@lorrainerichardson3280]

It will make a really warm work jumper as you are refining your skills. I have no spinning skills and enjoy watching others working on a wheel. =-)

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

That’s exactly what I’m working towards! Thanks Lorraine 😊

[@irenesgardenandmore]

👍🏼🌸very interesting video , thanks for sharing ! Can’t wait to see your hat !

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Yep the hat should be good for a laugh 😆

[@backtonature433]

Wow, I've never seen this one before, amazing 👏 👏👏👏

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

I’m loving this new skill and look forward to getting better at it! Thanks for watching 😊

[@backtonature433]

@@huttonsvalleypermaculture awesome 👌 🤗🤗🤗

[@deborahlee8135]

Yay! You're more skilled than you give yourself credit for. It's not easy to card wool and i've given up until i have enough time to practice more often. i do love how you keep one on the table though so i may need to try that as otherwise i end up giving myself a fat lip 🤣 my yarn is similar to yours, though with many breaks, and my teacher calls it 'artisan yarn' because of the thin and thick bits. As yet i still haven't managed an entire ball but i love getting in the rhythm and find myself entranced. I look forward to seeing your beanie. The colours are beautiful. Do you intend to felt also? I imagine a little waistcoat top in felt for myself and slippers as its my torso that feels the cold most along with my feet. Another marvellous video Linda. Thanks for sharing 💚

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Thanks Deborah- nice to hear how others are going on their spinning journey! I feel really un-co doing the carding but eventually get there!! Thought it would be fun to share 😊

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

I haven’t thought about felting just yet - focused on getting this yarn sorted first

[@kayceb4503]

I enjoyed your video, that's quite a process. You look like a pro to me, your yarn is so lovely.

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Thank you!! The yarn looks good just don’t know how well it will hold up in a garment at this point 🤞🤞 Thanks for watching 😊

[@countrymousesfarmhouse497]

Its beautiful and that yarn now has those memories and its meaningful to you . Ive always been mesmerised by spinning. Have you seen This darling home on Instagram? Sam's a spinner and weaver and her toddler daughter is the cutest thing you'll ever see on her mini wheel. Well done on learning a new skill. I'm currently doing up a treadle sewing machine and hoping I have enough rhythm in me to do that. Rhythm is not my strongest point. Haha. But I would love to try. Thank you for sharing 🥰

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

A treadle sewing machine!! Don’t know about that - my hamstring didn’t like the small bit I did the other day haha! I’ll check that out on Insta - thanks! It’s fun learning new things - good luck with your rhythm 😄

[@fabrijohanna]

that's an impressive skill Linda, just great

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Thanks Johanna! Can only continue to improve 😊

[@sueperkins8853]

This was SO interesting.

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Pleased you enjoyed it!! Thanks Sue!

[@rasoolkhanofficial]

wow so amaizing one thank you for share it

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Thanks 😊

[@Alicesgardenau]

So cool Linda!

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Thanks Alice 😊

[@sandrabonilla713]

Very interesting video !☺️

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Thanks Sandra

[@LoneStar_YarnCo]

I know this was posted a year ago, but the tension looks really tight. Although this being posted your skills have improved, not like that yarn isn’t beautiful . I have to try hard to make thick and thin now lol😂

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Yes I’m sure there was lots I could have improved upon with that spinning. 😆Haven’t done a lot since so probably not much better now. Too many things on the to do list!! Thanks for watching Andrew!!

[@DEBRAJAMES-ej2kc]

Love your videos ❤

[@huttonsvalleypermaculture]

Thanks Debra!!