Bags of fiber

That is 19 fleeces from Kinney Valley Alpacas.  All have low micron counts (that measures the diameter of each fiber) which makes nearly all of them fall into the ‘baby alpaca’ category of fineness.   Only a few were just outside the range considered baby alpaca.  Slowly that became this:

Going down, down, down

And finally, this:

All gone from here

Meanwhile, on the other side of the shop in the barn, this was appearing:

Two full bags

And then became this:

Six bags of cleaned fiber

Another angle – yes, I’m very proud!

These bags are big

Each of those bags average over 6 pounds of cleaned, very soft fiber.   Five bags will be sport-weight yarn, one bag will be lace weight.  All to be dyed and for sale!   This was left behind:

Under the skirting table

Tomorrow I’m making a run toRach-Al-Paca fiber processing mill.  I will be bringing these six bags as well as some from our animals – Vagabond‘s, Jose‘s, and Pelasia‘s.  I’ll get some roving and some yarn from each of these.  It will be a while before I get this back, but I do have roving from Toro waiting to be picked up.  I’m also picking up a big yarn order for Twisted Suri Alpacas.  They have asked me to dye some of their white yarn.  Can you guess what is on my schedule for next week?

Speaking of next week – we’ll be at Pie Day in Braham on Friday – Aug 6.  Come see us and have a piece of pie!  YUM!

On the table

Since they are so small, Darryl can hold him down while I hand shear.  I just shear off the blanket area, the hips  and the base of the neck.   This will be the prime blanket when we shear next spring.

Shearing in progress

I try to blend the cut areas into the longer fiber on the neck and legs.  It usually requires a couple of touch ups over the next few days.

Embrace's boy

Annie's boy

I save the super soft fiber and use it for kid’s projects during Farm Tour.  Mark your calendar – Sept 25 & 26 - it will be here before you know it!

Downspout

I called for Darryl and he climbed up on a ladder and put the nest back on the downspout.  There were five babies in the nest and they had stayed tight in the nest for the ride to the ground.  Their little claws were clenching the inside of the nest – which I noticed was lined with alpaca fiber.  On Sunday morning, I noticed the little birds were still alive and mama had come back to feed them.

A few days ago, I saw the nest was empty.  So I climbed up and took it down, since it was no longer very stable.  The nest was lined with alpaca fiber and dryer lint! 

Phoebe nest

I can only assume that all 5 of the babies survived.  I could never see all 5 heads at once from the ground.  It’s nice to know that some of the alpaca fiber that ends up blowing around the yard went to a good home.  And maybe kept these cold and wet baby birds warm after a long and scary ride to the ground in a nasty storm.

Yesterday Kathe, Karen, Darryl and I went to visit our friends at Glacial Ridge Alpacas.   We all brought food and yarn to dye.  And dye we did!

All my yarn

100% alpaca bulky

80% alpaca / 20% silk lace

100% alpaca sportweight

All still a little damp, so it is enjoying the cool, dry air on the deck.  If you are interested in a certain skein let me.  It will soon be going the farmer’s markets with me.  And supper…  as yummy as the yarn!   Dyeing and dining with friends is my favorite way to spend a day!  Thanks, Sandy and Terry!

Out in the pasture

But when they came back to the barn, it was lunch time for the little boys.

Embrace and her boy

Annie and her boy

With tummies satisfied, it was play time.  

Neck wrestling

Camille looks on

I’m always amazed that boys start acting like males from such a young age.   Seven and nine days old.  And already they play rough and want to fight. 

For those near to Becker, I’ll be at the new market downtown on Saturday mornings.  The market will be around the intersection of Hancock and Second Streets.

Today is a new day!   I was watching from inside the house as the alpacas went out to the pasture.  Once the new guy (we’ll call him NG until he gets a name) started to run a bit, Cara came running up to him, they sniffed noses and they started off together – not really running yet, but a fast wobbly walk.  Cara took him to her favorite place in the pasture.  I grabbed my camera and took these pictures through the fence. 

"This is sand pit."

"Hey, Mom, this is fun!"

A dust bath for everyone.

The sun feels good.

Standing

Walking

Running

Can you catch me, Mom?

That was all at only a couple hours old.  They are amazing critters.

Resting in the shade

This afternoon he took a little nap with Mom, but has been back out in the pasture again since.

My second newsletter was just sent out.  If you scoll down a bit on the right, you can sign up for the newsletter.   I’ll sent the newsletter to any new subscribers, so you don’t have to wait 3 months for your first newsletter.

Just out of the oven

These are the first 2 batches.  In the batch of smaller loaves I used a ‘brick’ of the eggs I froze earlier.   They were a little thicker than fresh eggs, but the batter tasted fine.  (I always get to lick the bowl before washing it for the next batch!)  The bread baked just fine and looks perfect.  If they seem a little dark on the bottom, that is because the pans are dusted with cinnamon sugar.   Another batch in the oven, and the fourth yet to be mixed.   Come and get your fresh bread at the Market!