Graustark's Fiber Products
Our llamas produce
soft, silky fiber which we use in various
felting, spinning, Prices do not include shipping fees.
Contact us at: ljb@graustarkllamas.com |
Handspun and Handwoven Items For Sale
cross pattern on back |
straight pattern on front panels |
Vshaped Shawl - $350 woven in one piece with no seams |
Skinny Woven Scarves |
$75 |
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Woven Shawls |
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Afghan or Throw $300 40 in. wide by 45 in. long |
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Ruana Wrap |
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Woven Poncho |
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Side tassel fringe |
Woven Hats Woven hats may include ribbon or other |
Knitted Beanie Hat $45 knitted with double strands of yarn - no lining |
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Processed Roving For Sale |
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I have finally acknowledged that there is no way I can hand process all our fiber. This year we sent over 100 pounds of raw fiber to Sugarloaf Alpaca Farm Processing mill and had them wash, dehair and card it into luscious roving. This has speeded up the hand spinning tremendously and we can now offer it to other hand sinners as well. I have found that I can spin 4 oz. of fiber into a 180-200 yard sport weight 2-ply skein! |
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It all begins on shearing day… Here at the farm, we try to blow much of the debris out of the llama’s coat before shearing. We sometimes brush the animals as well, but weather and time constraints usually make shearing something to be accomplished as quickly as possible. Remember, the llamas are sheared for their comfort—the fiber is just a by-product. We hand shear our animals while they stand tied to a fence or on a small enclosed area. A bag of hay makes the process easier for everyone. For us, shearing involves cutting the fiber from the animals using Fiskar© spring loaded hand shears. This leaves a nice 1 inch length to help prevent fly bites and sunburn.
A
normal show cut takes about 20 minutes with a full body shear doubling the
time. The fiber is then bagged and labeled. |
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When we are ready to use the fiber, it is carded using a drum hand carder before it is washed. Llama fiber contains no lanolin like sheep wool so it is not greasy or sticky to work with. It is then hand spun on a spinning wheel and plied. After plying, the yarn is washed in normal hair shampoo and a cream rinse is sparingly applied. After the yarn is dry it can be used for weaving, knitting or crocheting projects. Finished projects are washed again in shampoo and cream rinse and the excess water is spun out in the washing machine. The product is then dried in a machine dryer on low heat to full the fabric. Llama fiber does not shrink much, but should not be agitated or it will readily felt. All of our items are produced at the farm. Many of our products are standard, but we occasionally have specialty items available or these can be ordered. These may include: Ear Warmers, Purses, Felted pictures or other Felted Items and Felting Needles and Kits. |
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