Back to Fiber and Spinning

In fiber preparation the cleaner the fiber is the easier the processing will go and the quicker you can have a usable product. Don’t forget you can also show your fiber by either submitting samples or whole fleeces so the better prep work you do the nice fleece or sample you will have.

 A couple of weeks before you shear your llama make sure to give him a good grooming. You can use the blower; try to remove any mats, and give a good, deep brushing.

 The day you are going to shear just top groom or dress the llama fiber. Give a very light grooming. This will help to preserve the lock structure.

 One of the first steps in fiber preparation is called “skirting”. When you shear your llama you will notice a good deal of dirt, some vegetation/hay, and perhaps even some odd items like cocoons or pine needles. Skirting is laying out the fleece and removing as much of the vegetation or other natural matter as you can. You can pick these pieces from the fleece. The more “bad” material you remove in this process the easier the rest of the processing will be.  You can also remove guard hair during this process.

Next you will need to decide what you will need to decide
what you are going to do with the fiber.

Fiber FOR SHOWING:

If you are going to show the fiber either as a sample or a whole fleece there are specific rules to follow. Please check out the ALSA web site for more information.

FIBER FOR HAND OR MACHINE SPINNING:

If you are going to use your fiber for hand or machine spinning, you can further prepare the fiber by washing it.  To use llama fiber you do not have to wash it, you can spin the fiber with out washing. If the fiber is very dusty, dirty or has an odor you may wish to wash it before spinning. 

You can wash it in a tub or a washing machine. If you wash your fiber in a washing machine do not agitate the fiber. You will end up with a felted mess.

 For washing machine:

Step 1: Fill your machine with warm water, turn off machine. Add about one cap of liquid detergent -either dishwashing liquid or clothing detergent will work. Place your fleece into the tub. You can pick out any other pieces of organic material you see as you load it. Let the fleece soak for about 45 minutes to an hour. DO NOT AGITATE!

Step 2: Turn your machine to the SPIN cycle. Spin the water out of the fleece. BE SURE NOT TO AGITATE.

 Step 3: Move the fleece to the side of the washer the water doesn’t come out of. Fill the machine with warm water again. Making sure the water isn’t pouring directly on to the fleece. Let fleece soak for 20 – 30 minutes.

 Step 4: Turn your machine to the SPIN cycle. Spin the water out of the fleece. BE SURE NOT TO AGITATE. Remove the fleece from your machine.

 Step 5: Spread out fleece to air dry on a towel or drying rack.  (A simple drying rack may be made from a screen door or a large window screen set up on saw horses or chairs.) If drying outside you may wish to cover fleece with cheesecloth to prevent any unwanted organic matter from getting into fleece.

 Once fleece is good and dry it is read to spin or process further by carding or commercial processing.

 For tub washing:

Step 1: Fill your tub with warm water and add about one cap of liquid detergent -either dishwashing liquid or clothing detergent will work. Place your fleece into the tub. You can pick out any other pieces of organic material you see as you load it. Let the fleece soak for about 45 minutes to an hour. DO NOT AGITATE!

 Step 2: Open drain and allow all water to drain out. You may wish to lift the fleece to help with drainage.  DO NOT AGITATE!

 Step 3: Move the fleece to the backside of the tub so the water doesn’t pour directly onto the fleece. Fill the machine with warm water again. Making sure the water isn’t pouring directly on to the fleece. Let fleece soak for 20 – 30 minutes. Do not handle the fleece or agitate it.

 Step 4: Open drain and allow all water to drain out. You may wish to lift the fleece to help with drainage.  DO NOT AGITATE!  Gently lift the fleece out of the tub you may squeeze lightly to get out excess water.

 Step 5: Spread out fleece to air dry on a towel or drying rack.  (A simple drying rack may be made from a screen door or a large window screen set up on saw horses or chairs.) If drying outside you may wish to cover fleece with cheesecloth to prevent any unwanted organic matter from getting into fleece.

 Once fleece is good and dry it is read to spin or process further by carding or commercial processing.