Blanket Weaving

Where to begin, where to begin, there are so many steps? Having seen the video, one may have the idea for yourself. For us, let's say it is the fastest way to get something good, assuming one would rather make things themselves.

Depending on the particular animal, but generally speaking now, alpaca and llama are softer than sheep obviously. They are all easy to spin. When we are sheared, only the long, clean fiber is saved. We used to wash all the fiber in 50 gallon barrel, left to dry on screen outdoors. Now since the fiber is off cut off good animals, we don't bother with washing or carding, just straight to spinning the dusty stuff. It'll get washed later in the laundry.

Spinning thick yarn is softer and warmer than spinning thin yarn. Have not made a rug yet, for who would want to step on this stuff, but the thickness of the two-ply blanket shown in video renders it even heavy to carry, let alone to lay under. As a blanket, it is just great. Very soft, even silky, and keeps its shape despite fitfull slumbers.

Really so many steps, so many different looms; should make a video of shearing technique: just contact us to talk about anything. The video is for those timid and need a distant view at first about the process. Our favorite participation is spinning and living with the creatures.