Fibre and Yarns: The Rumour Mill

Any animal bought from our Suri farm comes with half price processing.

Since opening our processing facility 'The Rumour Mill ' we have become completely seduced by the world of fibre and all the avenues that have consequently opened . We are sent all types of fibre from Mohair , Merino and Alpaca to dogs' hair to Lions Maness.

Each 'job' provides us with an intimate insight into the type of fibre in question, each demanding a particular treatment. Then of course is our own fibre of choice - the elusive Suri - which we prefer to spin 100 % but also love to blend with the Thai silk we have on inventory. Unraveling the secrets of Suri yarns is our pet project.

The mill offers itself as an aid in research and is happy to develop fancy yarns for customers. The fibre the mill has to offer as blends are procured from breeders we have found to be of a consistently high quality. Before purchasing from producers the fibre in question is subject to intense scrutiny ensuring the best quality for our customers.

All life hangs by a thread - as such Alpaca breeders can be secure in the knowledge that no matter what happens in the world there will always be a need for fabric - and the fibre that makes it .

The on site store offers 100% Alpaca yarns (Suri or Huacaya). A variety of others including Mohair, Silk, Soy Silk and Merino, along with custom design felts and needle felting kits. With the imminent opening of the weaving department, finished products will also be available.

Dispelling some myths and Reiterating others:

• Alpaca fibre is Hair not Wool.
• Suri fleece is measured by 'locks per 10cm squared' as opposed to the Huacaya method of 'crimps per inch'.
• One way in which Suri fibre differs from Huacayas is that the cuticles or 'scales' on a Suri hair lay flatter along the shaft which creates the smooth handle and lustre they are famous for. Suri hair is closer to Mohair than it is to Huacaya.
• Suri Fibre only makes up 6% of the world's annually processed alpaca fibre. This keeps the demand up and the value ever on the increase.
• Suri Alpacas adapt very well to cold and damp weather.
• It is possible to spin, weave and knit 100 % Suri. However its slick, smooth handle and density mean approaching it in a different fashion than one would a crimpier fibre.
• As opposed to Huacaya - Suri Alpaca fibre is rated in only three categories:
• Baby < 21 - 24 >microns
  1st cut < 26 -28 > microns
  Mature 30 > microns
• The reason most Suris are white is due to the fact that during the forties and fifties the demand from European garment manufacturers was for white fibre for ease of dying etc. To supply this demand all the South American breeders tried to breed the colour out of their animals. Now with the demand for natural colours, it is up to us to bring the colour genetically to the fore once more.
• Suri fibre is heavier than Huacaya fibre.