Abravo Alpacas

2010-05-03T02:41:00.000-07:00

Alpaca yarn and estimating yarn weights

If you are contemplating having some or your alpaca fibre spun into yarn you need to be aware of the different weights/thickness of yarn so that you can be sure that the finished product is a standardised product that both you and your customers will be able to use with commercially available knitting patterns, or alternatively have designs and knitting patterns written to conform to your yarn. Therefore, if you are an alpaca owner with no knowledge or experience of yarn or knitting you may find the following useful.

Fibre is spun by stretching and twisting into single threads. These single threads can vary in thickness and in tightness of twist or put more accurately number of twists per inch. Higher twists produce a stronger yarn, give more pattern definition when knitted but may feel less soft. Yarn produced with a lower number of twists are not so strong but may feel softer. These single threads can then be twisted together or plied to form a thicker stronger yarn.

Yarns are often referred to according to the number of plys (single threads) which are twisted together. For example two threads twisted together is 2 ply, similarly three threads twisted is 3 ply etc. However, to rely on such definition for yarn thickness or weight can be misleading as the single threads which make up the yarn or which are plied together to create the yarn will invariable be different thicknesses and the use of other descriptions of yarn weight, e.g. Chunky, sports, super chunky can add to the confusion. It is not unusual to have two balls of yarn and even though they both state that they are 4 ply and indeed they are; they can still be different thicknesses and therefore when knitted have different tensions which will effect the finished product.

A method of being able to determine a yarn thickness is to apply the “wraps per inch test” or in the modern world “wraps per cm”. In order to calculate this, yarn should be wrapped around a cylindrical object (pencil) for about 4 inches /10 cm. with the ends taped down. The threads should lie close together but not be pushed together. Using a ruler count the number of threads per inch or cm. This will give you the yarn thickness. The lower the number of wraps the thicker the yarn.

As yarn is a universal product it is given various names throughout the world. The table below gives some of the most popular UK and USA yarn definitions.

Yarn Type UK (US)	Number of wraps per inch (cm)	Tension guide – number of stocking stitches per 10 cm
2 ply (laceweight)	25 (10)	34 - 38
3 ply (laceweight)	19 (7.5)	28 - 34
4 ply (fingering)	16 (6.5)	24 - 30
Double Knit (Sport/DK/light worsted)	14 (5,5)	20 - 24
Double Knit (worsted)	12 (5)	20 - 24
Aran/thin	11 (4,5)	16 - 20
Aran/thick (bulky)	10 (4)	16 - 20
Double (double)	9 (3.5)	12 - 16
Chunky (super bulky)	7/8 (3)	12 - 16

Some typical uses for yarn weights.

2 ply/laceweight: Knitted or crocheted lace, baby clothes and fine shawls.

3 ply laceweight: Socks, baby garments, very fine sweaters, shawls or scarves.

4 ply/fingering: Baby clothes, sweater, mittens, scarves, hats, socks, toys.

Double Knit: Ladies and mens sweaters, scarves, hats, throws.

Aran: Heavy sweaters, thick afghans or lap throws and soft furnishings.

Double: chunky Sweaters, jackets, coats, rugs, afghans.

Chunky: Coats, heavy throws, rugs, handbags

Frances Bath 2010

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2010-04-29T00:55:00.001-07:00

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2010-04-26T04:47:00.000-07:00

I’ve got nothing to wear……!!

After owning alpacas for nearly five years and my herd now standing at 30 animals it is a shocking fact that I do not possess one single item made from alpaca. I can’t count the number of times I have extolled the virtues of this wonderful fleece and exquisite yarn so why is it that I own not a single sock, a scarf, or even a simple bobble hat?

The main stumbling block was fear.

Fear that I didn’t know how to sort and skirt,

Fear that I didn’t know where to take it; mini mill versus large scale mill

Fear that I will make the wrong decisions and end up with yarn that is not fit for purpose and yet has cost me a fortune to process.

However I have tackled these issues one at a time. I have attended fleece sorting workshops run by my regional group as well as a more intensive four day course. I have visited a variety of mills in neighbouring counties, learnt to hand spin and am now attending knitting classes.

This long journey of discovering culminated on a cold winters morning in February when I drove from my home in Cambridgeshire to Suffolk to work alongside Giles at his mini mill.

I had previously taken my bags of carefully sorted and skirted fleece to him in December which had been scoured when I arrived. (washed to you and me). The plan was to set me to work on all the machines (with supervision) over the next two days so that I could follow my fleece through the whole process. The fleece that we were going to be working with was white grade 1 which I wanted blended with 10% tussah silk. I had also sent some grade 2 which was to be blended with merino and grade 3 with bamboo.

After being with Giles for two days I began to understand the reasons for the processing costs. The whole process is very labour intensive and if done well (which this was) requires understanding, expertise and patience: none of which can be gained in two days. Giles has been spinning yarn for over six years. He mainly works with alpaca but has done all varieties of sheep, and even some yak!

It was great to be really involved in the spinning and plying process and to start to gain an understanding of all the variables that affect the finished yarn. This is the point that required the most experience and patience. When I was happy with the “feel” (that’s about as technical as I get!) we were away. It is so important to know what you want to produce with your yarn even at this stage so that you can tell the processor exactly what you want. If possible take a sample so that the spinner has a reference point. To go in with a vague idea or unrealistic expectations can cause disappointment.

I wanted to share this story with you not only to encourage other alpaca owners but also to highlight that your journey need not be as long or as daunting as mine thanks to the newly formed British Alpaca Society Fibre Committee which I am a member of. (bas-fibre-committee@googlegroups.com)

The committee is made from representatives from the regional groups throughout the UK who want to raise the profile of the fibre produced from our wonderful animals. We want to help and encourage you to get out there and promote and use your fibre whether you have a few alpacas or hundreds.

The BAS Fibre Committee has some great plans and ideas afoot so please watch this space to keep informed.

Frances Bath

2010-03-24T11:28:00.000-07:00

This is me trying my best to be artistic! This is a cushion cover I made for my sister's Birthday. What a lucky girl! I made it from my first batch of Abravo Alpaca Yarn. It is made from a 100gram skein of a blend of 90% abravo alpaca and 10% bamboo in aran weight. It feels absolutely gorgeous. It was knitted on size 10mm needles and I used 100% abravo alpaca felt for the reverse. As my knitting skills are limited attached the felt flower onto the front where I pearled a stitch rather than knitted it, I think it looks very fetching. I cast on 45 stitches using cable cast on method and then continued to knit until it was large enough to cover an 18 x 18 cushion. To add a little more interest I knitted the turn over at the top where it buttons in rib. The cushion cover is closed at the back using matching red shell buttons. If you would like to dye the yarn it is possible because it is in a skein, but I prefer it in the natural neutral colour. If you wanted to follow my example the abravo alpaca yarn would cost £13 (100 gram skeing) and the abravo alpaca felt £12, (50 x 50 square centimetre swatch). what a bargain for a unique and beautiful cushion to have in your home.

Great Gransden Show

2009-10-16T01:27:00.000-07:00

Abravo Alpacas went along to the Great Gransden Show in Cambridgeshire in Late September. We took along a possy of our boys: Wizard, The Great Gatsby and Mallaca Paca. This was only their second outing but they behaved beautifully. The Abravo Alpaca Pen was right next to the showring so the boys were very intrigued as all the other animals: sheep, pigs and cows were paraded and judged.

Frances had a small information stall with posters and pictures and also took along some samples of fleece and fibre. Everyone who came along and touched the fibre were very impressed with the softness and enquired where to purchase either raw fleece or yarn however because we had been granted a free pitch as an information only stall I was unable to sell any yarn on the day, but did give out quite a few business cards.

Abravo Alpacas went along as a contingent of the Eastern Region Alpaca Group, which is a small group of Alpaca breeders that are affiliated to the British Alpacas Society. The main aim of the group is to meet together to share information to benefit the welfare of our stock.

Now that Abravo Alpacas is a more established herd (over 31) we feel the time is right to start offering alpacas and yarn for sale. We also intend to enter some of our alpacas into Alpaca shows run by the British Alpaca Society next year, so watch this space.

Exploring

2009-09-03T03:09:00.000-07:00

Our little crias are a joy to watch they are most active early in the morning and late in the evening. The scamper and run about chasing each other, wizzing all over, they are very agile. The also have a rough and tumble too, trying to get each other down onto the ground, its a bit like wrestling. They use their necks to push each other down or try and bite each others legs to achieve the same results. When they get each other down the lay over each other to keep the other alpaca pinned to the groun. They also explore other things like goose feathers in the grass. Sometimes they will come up to us as we sit in the field and they sniff at us or pull our clothes or hair with their teeth, they are sooo cute.

We have a cheeky chappie at the moment; Gallant, son of Masala, it seems that he is not getting enough milk so while the other adult alpacas are feeding he sneaks up and has a quick suckle from someone other than his mum. Most of the time he gets away with it because he is white (his mum is brown) and the other white mums do not seem to notice especially when they are feeding. We have also given him the odd bottle to supplement his feeding but at the moment he does not readily come for it so I guess most of the time he is able to get enough from various sources

Bumper crop of alpaca crias

2009-09-03T02:45:00.000-07:00

This summer we have been very busy here at Abravo Alpacas with our bumper crop of crias (baby alapacas). We have had 11 cria born, the highest number yet. Sadly on of our girls Caitlin had a stillborn which was very sad for us all, but she seems to have got over it and we have already mated her with our best boy Abravo Wizard, so hopefully all will go well next year.

We have had five females (Timora, Nerrissa, Nira, Candy Charm and Saffron) and six boys (Invicta, Tybalt, Galahad, Albion, Viscount, and Gallant). To date all are doing well and some have some really stunning fleeces. Our latest little girl was a surprise as she was a month early however the biggest surprise was Masala's cria. We did not know that she was pregnant until April having no record of any mating. However I think it was more a case of an escapee rather than an immaculate conception. But the biggest surprise was that she has had the brightest whitest cria and she is brown so it looks quite strange in the field to see this little cria sat next to a brown mum.

A day out for some of Abravo Alpaca Boys

2009-06-26T08:11:00.001-07:00

On a beautiful sunny day in June Abravo Alpacas went for a day out to Laxton Junior School Fete. The day was a great success. Abravo Wizard, Mallaca and little Gatsby proved to be real crowd pullers. Andrew and Frances where busy all day answering the many questions that all the visitors had.

Many of the visitors said how beautiful they were and that they almost did not look real. Off course everyone was surprised at how soft the fleece felt even though they boys had been sheared about a month before.

The wool and felt that Frances brought along which was spun from some of the many coloured alpacas that can be found at Abravo Alpaca's also proved very popular. Again people where amazed at how soft it was; apart from the people that is that are already lucky enough to own a jumper made from alpaca wool.

2009-06-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

This is Abravo Elba, Mother of Abravo Invicta, showing that she takes the advice of "5 a day" very seriously.

Most of the Alpacas at Abravo Alpacas love fruit. We regularly give them treets of apples, carrots and bananas. You do have to watch your fingers a bit though because they do get carried away. Incidentially alpacas only have teeth on the lower jaw, the top jaw just has a soft pad or gum.

Nira starts to walk

2009-06-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

This is Abravo Nira's first attempts at walking about an hour after being born; not bad. If you are wandering why she is blue under her tummy it is because we spray her navel with an iodine solution to help it dry and heal and to stop infections. Her mother Abravo Carleigh chose a lovely sunny day for her birth.

Abravo Minstrel and Abravo Tybalt

2009-06-26T07:49:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture of Abravo Tybalt having a nice feed on the day that he was born. His Mother Abravo Minstrel is proving to be a very good mother eventhough Tybalt is her first cria. We used to call her Aunty Minstrel because when ever other alpacas had crias Minstrel was always there wanting to take care of them so we are delighted that she now has a baby of her own.

Bumper crop of cria.

2009-06-26T07:28:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely surprise yesterday when for the first time at Abravo Alpacas we had two beautiful cria born on the same day. Carleigh went into labour first, which was no surprise as we were expecting it eventhough it was not her due date. Her teats had "bagged up" so we new the birth was going to be in the next few days. We had watched her over the garden gate all morning and noticed she was sitting away from the other alpacas and also sitting on her side. We then saw a little nose followed by two feet. At this stage Minstrel started to hum very loudly almost mooing and sitting down and looking very uncomfortable. By the time Carleigh had popped out Nira (Fawn Female) Minstrel was laying down mooing even more loudly. I stroked her head and neck and gave words of comfort. Andrew gently applied pressure and out came Tybalt a grey male with two white socks and a white spot on his neck. We think he is brilliant as all our crias thus far have been solid colours so its quite nice to have one looking a little different.

Both Tybalt and Nira where up on their feet within and hour and suckling. In fact one of our other Cria Timora was very cheeky and had a feed at the same time as Tybalt from his mum Minstrel. Which is very unusual; usually the mums chase away crias that are not their own.

Alpaca Shearing.

2009-06-19T03:17:00.000-07:00

May also proved busy because it was the annual shearing time at Abravo Alpacas. There is quite a lot of preparation to do at shearing. One of the most important aspects is to keep the alpacas calm and reduce stress to the minimum.

We herded and penned all the alpacas up the evening before as the fleeces must be dry for shearing and subsequent storing. Availability of all necessary equipment and shearing shed design make the day a success. The area must be clean, swept and free from any contamination which could get into the fleece. The guys that we use are from New Zealand and have a lot of experience in alpaca shearing. Alpacas have to be restrained during shearing as they would struggle and probably end up with nicks and cuts.

It takes approximately five minutes to do each alpaca and while they are restrained it provides an ideal opportunity to trim feet, give innoculations, microchip, check teeth and generally give each alpaca a clean bill of health.

As the fleece is sheared the prime blanket/saddle and neck are bagged separately and weighed. The inferior cuts from the apron, breach, legs and belly are bagged and sorted separately to ensure that when the fleece is processed - spun into fibre only the best quality is used to ensure that wool purchased from Abravo Alpacas is soft and of excellent quality. IF you are interested in purchasing raw fleece, or Abravo Alpaca wool please visit our website for further details (http://www.abravoalpacas.com/).

After the alpacas are sheared they look very different. They have gone from huge fluffy teddy bears to elegant antelopes in five minutes. They spend a lot of time after shearing sniffing each other to re-acquaint themselves, especially cria and mother. However I am sure they all feel so much better after shearing especially on warm days. The fleece soon grows back, in a year we hope to have a length of about 6 inches and a harvest of approximately 3 kilos of fleece.

The fleece is then hand skirted, sorted and graded by Frances before sending off to a mill for processing. Colours and grades are all kept seperate which means there are piles of bags all over the barn as here at Abravo Alpacas we have Alpacas in all shades from whitest whites through to beautiful blacks.

Alpaca Craft Day - Cambridgeshire

2009-06-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

Frances was busy in May organising probably the first dedicated Alpaca Fleece craft day in the UK to date. The event was held in Houghton in Cambridgeshire and was open to all members of the public and to members of the British Alpaca Society and the Eastern Region Alpaca Group.

The event started of with a demonstration from Frances on how to expertly and efficiently sort and skirt an Alpaca Fleece. The fleece was a beautiful fleece from Abravo Louie of Abravo Alpacas (http://www.abravoalpacas.com/) . There then followed demonstrations in:

Felting using Alpaca fleece
Machine knitting of Alpaca fleece
Dying Alpaca fleece using natural dyes
Hand spinning of Alpaca Fleece.

The event was very well attended and Frances was very pleased with the positive comments recieved from all those who attended.

Aplaca Fleece - Spinning, Dyeing, Knitting and Felting Day

2009-06-19T02:17:00.000-07:00

Frances was very busy in May organising the first ever dedicated Alpaca Fleece Craft Day. The event took place in Houghton in Cambridgeshire. The event was open to all Alpaca Breeders through publication on the British Alpaca Society web page as well as the Eastern Region Alpaca Group of which Frances is the secretary.

Many members of the public also attended especially those interested in knitting and spinning. The day began with a short informal talk about Alpacas and a demonstration of how to skirt an Alpaca fleece. The fleece used was a beautiful fawn fleece from Louie of "Abravo Alpacas" (www.abravoalpacas.com). There then followed demonstrations, questions and finally opportunities to have a go at:

Felting with Alpaca fleece,
Spinning with Alpaca Fleece
Machine Knitting,
Dyeing with Alpaca Fleece.

The event was thoroughly enjoyed by all those who attended and Frances was pleased because she had some very positive comments on feedback sheets at the end of the afternoon.

A new baby

2009-05-28T23:59:00.000-07:00

Nala's new baby girl. Nala one of our oldest females (6 years) had her third baby on 25th May a little female cria called Timora. All went well and she is continuing to thrive and put weight on. Nala has mothered two other cria successfully, Abravo Louie (Male) and Abravo Cordiale (female). Nala may not be considered a show winer but she does know how to produce beautiful cria. Timora's sire is Houghton Neptune who has won many awards and hopefully like her father Abravo Timora will be a show winner. Her chances look very positive at the moment as her fleece is developing nicely. It is forming into a very dense fleece with lovely brightness, crimp and cracks nicely as she moves. With her darker muzzle and ears she looks stunning.