ANGELHAIR CREATIONS Fiber Services
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FIBER SERVICES FOR ALPACA BREEDERS

Any item can be made of commercial or handspun yarns. Although not as personalized as home grown, an alpaca garment made from commercial yarn is less expensive to produce and can be just as effective a marketing tool for your animals. If you prefer the personal touch, I can spin your favorite fleece or use your hand- or commercially-spun yarn. Whatever yarn is chosen, it must be suitably spun and of the proper weight for the project in question.

Shawls, scarves, vests, sweaters and blankets should be made from garment-quality fiber to insure next-to-the-skin softness. Outerwear such as ruanas, ponchos, heavy sweaters and vests can be made of garment-quality or coarser fiber. Rugs, tote bags and baskets should be made from coarser fiber for durability. Wall hangings, place-mats and table runners can be made of garment-quality or coarser fiber.

Although mill processing and spinning is more cost effective per pound than my processing and handspinning, it does introduce extra delays and shipping costs. The Summer 1995 issue of \fIAlpacas\fP magazine contains information on several commercial mills. They typically charge $5-10 per pound to process fiber into roving. Minimum orders range from one to five pounds for processing. Commercial spinning constraints are restrictive. Some mills only do blends of up to 50% alpaca.

The delay in getting your processed fiber or yarn back from the mill can be as long as 12 weeks. Always send at least 40% more fiber to the mill than the project calls for, since there will be 10-20% loss and we still want a comfortable margin left for the project. Ask the processor how much delay and fiber loss to expect so that we can accurately plan your project. I will always return your leftover fiber and yarn, so don't hesitate to process more than is required.

For single projects, it will be easier and more cost competitive if I process your fiber. I do not offer commercial fiber processing or spinning services. But on a per-project or fleece basis, I can provide a "one-stop" service for fleece to finished yarn or garment. Send me raw fiber only if you intend for me to process and spin it. Raw fiber is subject to my inspection prior to processing. It must be reasonably clean, free of vegetation and of a suitable staple length.