Skirting & Sorting Alpaca Fleece

[@susandoerr3896]

wonderful, you are consistent in your delivery and that delivery is so fun and i am thrilled and will love to brush and comb and learn and learn and practice. i will never look at a fleeced animal again the same way that i once did. thank you.

[@jessielove1136]

Super helpful! My in-laws have three alpacas and I am learning how to process it so we can turn their fiber into yarn (and hopefully hats, scarves, and beyond!) Thank you for this info!

[@ianwatt5246]

A good introduction to the topic but if I could make a comment or two: webbing has nothing to do with micron - in fact, elite and superior fleeces have very little webbing when pulled apart because the fibers are so closely aligned as yhey come out of the skin they tend to stay in the staple or lock formation. In short, webbing is not an ideal thing as it indicates a lack of density ... ALWAYS sort for length first - length is the FIRST thing that processors look for with uniformity of length a major part of that requirement. Longer fibers mean finer yarn and more uniform length means less ends in the cross-section of the yarn so less pilling and stronger yarn. Lastly, if you put cut side down and then shake the fleece or table, you are shaking dirt INTO the fleece more than out - look at a staple and see how far down the staple the dirt line is .... the end closest to the skin is the cleanest for both dirt and vegetable matter so shaking the fleece with the cut end down is merely encouraging most of the dirt into that clean fiber where the fibers lock it into the crimp. I am not being critical, I just want people to learn that this process of skirting is all about adding value to a harvest that has taken a whole year of their lives to put on the table.....

[@healthyvoicetips]

So interesting! There are so many steps involved in the process.

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

+Katarina H. It's a lot of fun to do too 😊

[@Muttbuts]

Very interesting. I had no idea that there were different types of alpaca fleece. Thanks!

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

+MuttButs Glad you found this video informative 😊

[@emilymay9383]

Thank you for the video!!!

[@TheKarenElliott]

Fascinating. Thank you.

[@samuelstephens992]

Thank you.

[@barbaraslack6397]

Very interesting

[@River-House-Farm]

Could u tell me the dimensions of the cattle fence u are using ? Ty so much.

[@Kajanaclub]

Good explanation, thanks.

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

+Kajana Club So glad you enjoyed the video 😊

[@davukost7952]

thankyou ,great videos , love ithem

[@myawebb6267]

Hi is there anything I need to do before using alpaca fleece as the stuffing for my new mattress? I’m just going to wash and dry it and stuff it in raw I think

[@sydneygoyette5403]

How many different “categories” would you have? For example, would it be possible to have fleece that have the same color but a different grade and you would need to put them in separate piles? I hope that question makes sense. I’m really interested in pursuing this, but I am only in the preliminary research stage lol

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

You have the right idea. Grade, color, and length are the most common factors. You can imagine how that can grow to be a lot of different piles! How you choose to do it will depend on the fiber your herd grows and what products you are wanting to produce. Choosing/needing to dehair your fleeces creates even more piles.

[@tentyme1]

I was wondering how much is unprocessed skirted 12-14 yr old wool kept moth free in fibre bags is worth per lb. I can’t find a consistent answer on the internet. I have 100’s of lbs left to me by a family member and I don’t know how to price it so it will sell but not give it away. Anyone with any help on this ? Thank you

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Do you have experience working with alpaca fiber or are you just starting out?

[@theresas.439]

I’ve gotten as far as buying some alpaca from eBay. Obviously, I haven’t got a clue but I’m ready to learn. I once visited an alpaca farm and it’s held my fascination ever since. Thank you much for sharing with the rest of us.

[@autumnsunset2024]

Just starting out! I have a whole fleece gifted to me by my husband. It’s fairly cleaner. But it needs sorting :)

[@Dailymusebooks1]

Any differences for Suri fleeces for sorting, washing, etc.?

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

The skirting, sorting, washing, and such is the same. The difference is going to be the final products you choose and that affects the spinning step.

[@Dailymusebooks1]

@@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch Cool, thanks for your reply! For now (I'm a crappy spinner), I'm only going to take it to roving. Do you know of any differences to be aware of with the picker, drum carder, and pulling for roving?

[@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch]

Suri does not have crimp so it has no memory whatsoever. It is also very dense. Play around with worsted and woolen prep and short draw vs long draw techniques. You’ll find your preference.

[@Dailymusebooks1]

@@ButterfieldAlpacaRanch Thanks!

[@kathrynpetrick2588]

You mentioned we could buy or make our own skirting table. #1 About that..... do you have guide/booklet of every thing I would need to buy or make. Every tool starting from when fur is on animal to fur being turned into a cashmere shirt, pants, gloves.... #2 now why is the back the most premium? is it the softest? Or warmest fur from the alpaca? is there a place where alpaca fur is the most warmest fur of the alpaca? I don't really know anything about or have worked with alpaca fur before, but I would like to start a side business dealing with alpaca fur. This is why I hoped you had a booklet/guide of every tool from when fur is on the alpaca up to turning alpaca fur into a shirt or gloves. I wanted to work with both crochet and normal shirts were fabric is in one piece with no holes. I don't even know what this word is called. For example you are wearing a shirt with no holes. its one piece, but I wanted to do this work with alpaca fur.