The Magic of Alpacas!
Thursday, January 31, 2013
Cocotini and GreyHawk
Gunssmoke
Sunbathing after shearing
Aerie
Alpacas are a very special and magical animal. These delightful creatures each have unique personalities that will make you fall in love with them. This is what happened for all alpaca owners across the country. While we are all in the business of raising these animals for their exquisite fiber, breeding and selling of the animals, it is the awesome alpaca themselves that makes us all very fortunate to own them and be in the business.
Alpaca fiber is a luxury fiber and is not yet processed commercially by large mills in the United States. Processing is by alpaca owners themselves or by small cottage mills across the country. This is one thing that makes this fiber still so unique and special. Alpaca fiber is a lustrous lightweight fiber that is 3 times warmer than wool, is naturally hypoallergenic, does not contain lanolin, is very strong and as soft as cashmere. The fiber is natural in 16 shades from white, fawn, browns, blacks and greys. Alpaca fiber can also be dyed into any beautiful color that you can imagine without losing its quality and sheen. Soft and warm alpaca fiber is processed into yarns, socks, hats, gloves and other garments. Hand spinners love to spin with alpaca fiber and many of the ranches will process fiber into batts for felting and quilting or rovings for spinners. The possibilities are endless for uses for alpaca fiber. Beautiful hats, purses and vests are among the items from felted alpaca fiber. Knitters and crocheters go crazy with alpaca yarn for hats, scarves, gloves and many other projects.
Baby alpacas are called "cria" and seeing a chosen breeding decision result in a beautiful new alpaca is thrilling. The pictures shown here are all cria (6 months old or less). Crias amaze and amuse daily!
Alpaca breeders across the world are all dedicated to the business of raising alpacas and their well being is first and foremost for all breeders. Alpaca breeders come from all walks of life and some raise alpacas as their sole business while many others still hold “day jobs” and dream of the day that alpaca ranching is their only business involvement.
Once you come face to face with an alpaca it is guaranteed that you fall in love with the exquisite creature. After all, who can resist big beautiful brown eyes and happy humming?!
Alpaca fiber is a luxury fiber and is not yet processed commercially by large mills in the United States. Processing is by alpaca owners themselves or by small cottage mills across the country. This is one thing that makes this fiber still so unique and special. Alpaca fiber is a lustrous lightweight fiber that is 3 times warmer than wool, is naturally hypoallergenic, does not contain lanolin, is very strong and as soft as cashmere. The fiber is natural in 16 shades from white, fawn, browns, blacks and greys. Alpaca fiber can also be dyed into any beautiful color that you can imagine without losing its quality and sheen. Soft and warm alpaca fiber is processed into yarns, socks, hats, gloves and other garments. Hand spinners love to spin with alpaca fiber and many of the ranches will process fiber into batts for felting and quilting or rovings for spinners. The possibilities are endless for uses for alpaca fiber. Beautiful hats, purses and vests are among the items from felted alpaca fiber. Knitters and crocheters go crazy with alpaca yarn for hats, scarves, gloves and many other projects.
Baby alpacas are called "cria" and seeing a chosen breeding decision result in a beautiful new alpaca is thrilling. The pictures shown here are all cria (6 months old or less). Crias amaze and amuse daily!
Alpaca breeders across the world are all dedicated to the business of raising alpacas and their well being is first and foremost for all breeders. Alpaca breeders come from all walks of life and some raise alpacas as their sole business while many others still hold “day jobs” and dream of the day that alpaca ranching is their only business involvement.
Once you come face to face with an alpaca it is guaranteed that you fall in love with the exquisite creature. After all, who can resist big beautiful brown eyes and happy humming?!
