We produce black Huacaya and also white Suri fleece. The majority of the world’s countries are what is coded as having ‘winter’ complexions with black and white being perfectly complementary to their skin tone. So it is only fitting that we produce fleece that can be easily made into finished products for the Western World where the demand for this elite quality product is highest, such as: black suits of professionals or the after-five black little numbers. There is the added versatility that white fleece can be colour-dyed, even though the white fleece is in itself a wonderful pure product able to make the most exquisite garments, (for example, the wedding gown pictured won major awards and was paraded at the 2005 National Alpaca Show – which took 1000 hours in the ‘hand’ making!)

The comfort factor (a measurement of all fleeces) is generally higher than that of wool. The fine micros apparent in good quality wool are now available in alpaca through careful breeding programs. It is possible to gain invaluable information from the Australian Alpaca Association, the Australian Alpaca (magazine) and various text books.

Wool Blend
An ideal ‘blend’ seems to be wool of 60 or 70% and Alpaca of between 30 or 40%. Remember the old school jumpers – the itchy, scratchy feeling against the skin? Alpaca mixed with high quality wool can minimise these problems.

Suri & Huacaya Alpaca Blend
If you prefer the super soft comfort (Serafino, our Suri Stud’s fleece has a comfort factor of 98.1%) then you might insist on 100% Alpaca, ensuring that the garment is always cleaned by the dry cleaner. After all, a top quality product deserves the careful treatment offered by dry cleaning. Suri has a silky soft feel and that can only enhance the soft naturally fleece of the Huacaya – so why not blend?

Processing Fleece
It is possible to process at your fleece at the farm or by textile manufacturers. The fleece can be felted, knitted, crocheted or woven by people from the local cottage industry in the manufacturer’s area or you can source your own. Alternatively, breeders can sell their fleece to the Alpaca Co-op (Australian Alpaca Fleece Limited – AAFL) where it is purchased according to the fineness, quantity and in various colours. The processed fleece is then sold overseas to such places as Europe and New Zealand or turned into garments within Australia and sold as high quality garments.

http://www.fibreartsonline.com/fac/weaving

Farmers can sell their own finished Alpaca products from their farm gate, or through the various shops throughout Australia that specialise in Alpaca products.

There appears no limit to the items that can be made from Alpaca fleece, such as: suits, jumpers, ponchos, shawls, blankets, doonas, hats, soft toys, skirts, trousers, jackets/coats. The use is only limited by one’s imagination.

Not Only About Fleece
We are not only breeding fine, dense, lustrous fleece but also breeding for alert intelligent alpacas with elegant stately confirmation, strong bones, calm, friendly, good temperament, as well as, easy to handle animals. The well-being of the alpacas under our care is essential and paramount to breeding top quality, healthy animals.