Llamas and fine fiber
This image shows a llama in the process
of being sheared, in this case with hand shears.
Llamas may also be shorn using electric shears (but
with special heads for fine fiber).
Reasons to shear a llama
- Yields fiber for spinning, weaving, felting
- Greatly increases comfort for llamas in hot weather
- If coat is matted, gives you a chance to "clear away" all those mats (you can't groom away a matted coat) and maintain a cleaner coat in the future
- A neater, tidier appearance of the llama
Side benefits of shearing a llama
- Really see what the llama's conformation is
- Get a better idea of the llama's true color
- Now the llama can compete in sheared llama and fiber llama classes
- Easier to assess progress of pregnancy
Uses of llama fiber
- Fine clothing when mixed with 30% sheep wool (for elasticity)
- Rugs, ropes, and related tack
- Dry-fly tying material (!!)
Fiber Shows
Places to go and get lots more info on lama fiber!
Fiber Testing
Get your lama fiber (or in fact, that from virtually any kind of fiber animal) analyzed by the Yocom-McColl Testing Lab.
Sources for buying llama and items made from llama (and alpaca) fiber
Heavenly Llamas -- fine yarns with detailed information about each variety available
Lofty Llama -- fine yarns and crafts
- Rt 2 Box 51E
Gladstone, VA 24553
804-798-1959 (Barb) or 804-933-4386 (Shirley)
SEstrada1@cs.com
Virginia Highland Llamas -- Fiber from llamas and Jacob sheep
- Rt 1 Box 41
- Bland, VA 24315
540-688-4464
cbane@pen.k12.va.us
- This mill will buy or sell llama and alpaca fibers.
Related links
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Fiber Resources page |
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Knitting Guide Site |
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Fiber crafts page |
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Information for spinners and knitters |
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Internet links for spinners and knitters |
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Knitting |
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Spinning |
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Traditional Andean Textiles |
Thanks to Chase Tavern Farm Alpacas for pointing me to some of these useful links!