Alpaca!

[Smuggler]

Yesterday on a phone call at work I spoke with a nice lady who I rep for here in PA. We got to chatting about hunting and fishing and she was telling me about the chickens she raises and alpacas.

So naturally I asked what she does with the alpaca wool. Most of it she sells but the seconds she said just eventually gets thrown out. Today she drove all the way from her place to give me a freezer bag full of it! It's a chocolate color, very nice stuff. She told me whenever I want some more, just call.

So if anyone wants to play with it, pm me with an address and I'll get it out to you.

[fflutterffly]

I sent out a bunch of Alpaca a few years ago to some members. The fibers are long, the colors endless. I've used it for many buggy flies, cutting it into fine dubbing. I love the stuff.

[Mataura mayfly]

I have had a big bag of this for a while now, think some of it has made "Roscoe gathering" boxes before. I must admit to not spending a long time with it, but it works just fine as a dubbing as Mz FF states.
The fibres are longer and finer than most sheep's wool, somewhat translucent and seem to either grab or form micro bubbles when dropped into water.
Should be a fun material for you, look forward to the run of Alpaca based nymphs and soft hackles to come.

[letumgo]

Message sent! Thanks Eric.

[Greenwell]

How much of this stuff do you want? My sister raises the damn things and she can't give the wool away. Right now she's engaged in a project that rescues stray cats and she's using it to stuff pillows for the feral felines.
If you find you like the way it dubbs, let me know and I'll get you a few tons of it!
Better yet Eric, my sis lives near Reading, not too far from you so if you want you could stop by her little farm and she'll give you all you can carry. Hell, she'll probably give you the whole critter along with the fur!

[Mataura mayfly]

Mmmmm, Alpaca burgers?

There must be some craft spinners/weavers/knitters that would be able to help relieve your Sis of some of the excess?
Mind you, she might have some different coloured animals than just light brown...... sure to be worth a visit.
PS: Cat fur is worth a look while you are visiting..... just saying.

[letumgo]

[DUBBN]

From a Farmers Market this past Summer.

[Smuggler]

Hah. Yea I'll keep that in mind, John.

The lady that supplied this to me also said she's got an angora goat that's tan with black tips to its fur.
That sounds pretty neat.

I'll pass on the dung. Thanks Wayne

[swellcat]

. . . damn things, and she can't give the wool away.

The sweaters made from alpaca aren't given away: $100 to $2150 US.
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