Tools = $$$$$
Shortly after getting the first alpaca fleeces, I knew I needed some tools to help me on my way. I immediately went to the internet. After seeing the dollar amounts. I was disheartened.
I read books, perused blogs and watched videos. There were some things I thought my husband could make for me. - That didn't work out for me. The DIY cleaning box directions were easy enough to under stand but would require tools my husband didn't have and (shock) didn't want!
So.........................................being a frugal (ie cheapskate) I started searching. The Vegetable Matter (VM) had to be removed. So I "borrowed" some of my husband's gloves for staining wood. I picked as much out as I could see. I then used a dog comb - yes -I said dog comb to some more VM out.
After washing comes the drying. I like to dry mine in the sun. (Which has been hard with all the rain we have had this summer!)
That is a piece of chicken wire rolled into a half circle. The net bags I wash are laying beside it. That is an old over the bathtub drying rack too. I set it up so part is on the deck and the rest in the yard. The important part is letting air get to it. This is hair. The thicker you lay it out the longer it takes to dry.
When first washed, mine look like dreadlocks. (Remember I am self taught so I might be doing something wrong.) It works for me though.
Now they need fluffed. The black I did today was the first "fresh" fleece I had worked with. It was cut this year. The rest I have worked with had been stored for a year. This had more oil to it than the older stored fleece. No matter how much VM I got out there was more. Perhaps it is because black absorbs heat and the black alpaca rolls in the dirt more to stay cool.
The tiny white specks that look like dandruff-VM. This black alpaca has not found Lady Clairol yet! 😏 Those are pure white hairs you see mixed in with the black.
The next part involves combing the fibers or fluffing them up in some way. I used that dog comb to fluff some at the beginning. I quickly realized I needed combs. Off I went to the internet again.
Since I was new to prepping my own fleeces, I went with inexpensive combs. They work great for me. I did invest in a blending board when I found it could be used for combing too. I like dual use tools. The combs are great but I will warn you of one thing. When your hands or brains are getting tired! ✋ STOP!!!! Those combs are sharp. This thumb had all its skin this morning!
The fluffed fiber looks lighter than it did fresh from washing.
Can't wait to get started on the black but first I need to find an empty spindle!
One other tip- this from our heating and cooling man- clean your air filters or replace more often if you are working with fiber in your home! It tends to clog the filters faster! (Ummm - it freezes up! Making the house hot!) At least he got a good laugh and I learned how to wash our furnace filters and put that on the calendar every two months. (Ours are metal and washable)
