Why Suri Alpacas?
Full Fleece Suri Alpaca
Alpaca being sheared on a table
Suri alpacas Playing!
washed and combed suri fleece
Luster
The Suri alpaca is elegant with the fiber draping down the sides in a twisted or flat
form. The fiber sways back and forth as they walk/run with the sun glistening off the
luster of the fleece. Suri has a slick cool feel to it similar to silk.
The suri alpaca makes up less than 10% of the world population in alpacas, making them
a rare breed.
The suri fiber is cherished by handspinners and doll makers for the silkiness, softness,
and strength of suri fleece. It also takes dye well for those that prefer to dye the fiber
into favorite colors. It has no memory when knitted or crocheted making it a lovely
fiber for products require drape.
All parts of the fleece, taken of by shearing method once a year. The legs, belly and
neck can be used if they are fine enough for yarn but mostly these are good for blends
or rug yarn. The prime fleece (blanket), is then used in multiple ways. For examples
you may check out my farm store page to see items we make here from the suri alpaca
fiber.
Suri Fiber is graded according to fineness, the finer the fiber the better it will feel
against the skin. Although all the grades are usable even the coarse fiber can be used
in socks and rugs. There is even more strength in the higher micron making socks
more durable with wear. Suri fiber, due to it's slick nature will feel better against the
skin in a higher micron than other fibers.
Grade 1: Ultra Fine or Baby Alpaca - 20 micron
Grade 2: Super Fine 20-22.99 micron
Grade 3: Fine 23-25.99 micron
Grade 4: Medium 26-28.99
Grade 5: Coarse 29-31.99
Grade 6: 32+
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