I have gotten over a dozen emails from CIABA about their unskirted fleece event. It sounded intriguing but I have to admit, I wasn’t sure what it was all about or why I should participate. I had some questions, and I thought some of you might too so I contacted Robin Alpert of CIABA and [...]

September 17th, 2011 | Tags: alpaca, alpaca fiber, CIABA, fiber, Fiber Event, Naked Truth, Robin Alpert, Unskirted Fleece Event | Category: Alpacas, Events, Fiber Arts, The Alpaca Lifestyle, Weekly Web Finds | Leave a comment

This guest post was written for Alpaca Farmgirl by Kate Robertson, founder of Mayu. Photo credits to Kate Robertson.

Seven years ago, I received a call from the Peace Corps asking me if I’d be ready to jet off to Peru for 2.5 years.  Sure, I had completed the long application process but the thought [...]

June 8th, 2010 | Tags: alpaca, alpaca accessories, alpaca fiber, Alpacas, Andes Mountains, artisans, Kate Robertson, knitting, knitting cooperative, Mayu, Peace Corp, Peru, South America | Category: Alpacas, Fiber Arts, Weekly Web Finds | Comments (3)

Four alpacas from our local Gulf Coast zoo “donate” their fiber to soak up oil from the the oil spill in the Gulf. Learn more in this informative video from National Geographic.

(See if you notice anyone we know doing the shearing in that video. Leave a comment and tell me if you recognize that ole [...]

May 17th, 2010 | Tags: alpaca, alpaca fiber, Alpacas, Gulf Coast, national geographic, Oil Spill, video, zoo | Category: Alpacas, Oil Spill | Comments (3)

Alpaca Farmgirl Neopolitan Hand Spun Yarn

This is my favorite yarn! It was inspired by some yummy yarn that the incomparable Spazzyarn spun out of merino that was very similar. I fell in love with her hand spun merino Neopolitan and bought it last year.
I had not picked up knitting needles since I was in 7th [...]

April 23rd, 2010 | Tags: alpaca, Alpaca Farmgirl Shop, alpaca fiber, Etsy, fiber, Fiber Arts, Fiber Arts Friday, hand spun, hand spun yarn, merino, neopolitan, Spazzy, Spazzyyarn | Category: Alpacas, Fiber Arts, Fiber Arts Friday, The Alpaca Lifestyle | Comments (11)

People are often asking me, “What is “royal alpaca?” and “What is superfine?” How do you know? There are a few different charts and ways to determine. I will be posting a few in the coming weeks. Here is one used by the company Inca Tops:

Royal Alpaca 19-20 Fiber Length 56-60 mm [...]

April 6th, 2010 | Tags: alpaca, alpaca fashion, alpaca fiber, baby alpaca, inca tops, micron, micron count, royal alpaca, superfine alpaca, vicuna | Category: Alpacas, Fiber Arts, The Alpaca Lifestyle | Comments (1)

from Ann Merriwether, Nyala Farm Alpacas
This Fun Project really celebrates Spring. In this project you will learn how how to make
Two Kinds of Alpaca Fiber Felted Easter Eggs
Get some of those plastic eggs and get ready to felt around them. With these directions you can make two kinds of Easter eggs.
For the first kind you [...]

March 29th, 2010 | Tags: alpaca, alpaca fiber, Ann Merriwether, carded dyed fiber, Easter eggs, felted easter eggs, felted eggs, felting, Fiber Arts, foam felted eggs, needlefelted, Nyala Farm Alpacas | Category: Alpacas, Fiber Arts, Girl Stuff, The Alpaca Lifestyle | Comments (15)

I admit I’m nervous and I’m rambling… We are shearing the alpacas tomorrow. The head count is hovering near 100. We have never sheared 100 alpacas. In 2009 we sheared 77. Every year I get nervous, and every year it goes off without a hitch. Maybe it’s like putting on a big Broadway production. Whatever [...]

March 19th, 2010 | Tags: alpaca, Alpaca Farmgirl Etsy, Alpaca Farmgirl Shop, alpaca fiber, alpaca shearing, alpaca teddy bears, alpaca yarn, AlpacasLive, Bulk pricing alpaca fiber, fiber, Individual alpaca fleeces, Marc Loffhagen, Shearing Alpacas, Shearing Day, Twitter | Category: Alpacas, Husbandry | Comments (15)

Fuzzy Snowflake Alpaca Sweater from RedMaple Sportswear Co.
I love the RedMaple Sportswear Co. What a fabulous company, and they are owned by alpaca folks! RedMaple Sportswear is a Maine/NH seacoast based apparel company promoting the natural beauty & outdoor lifestyle enjoyed in their region. Though I’m a Southern gal, I adore the looks from this [...]

December 15th, 2009 | Tags: alpaca, alpaca beanie, alpaca breeder, alpaca breeding, alpaca breeding community, alpaca breeding herd, alpaca fiber, alpaca folks, alpaca hat, alpaca herd, alpaca socks, alpaca sweater, alpaca vest, Alpacas, baby alpaca, beanie, boarded alpacas, huacaya alpacas, Red Maple Sportswear | Category: Alpacas, Resources | Comments (34)

Or Why You Won’t See Me At An Alpaca Show This Fall

Do you see this alpaca above? His name is Colt McCoy (named for the wonderful Texas Longhorns quarterback). He is one of the finest alpacas I’ve ever bred. I bragged on him.
Alot.
If you have ever read my blog or met me, you’ve probably heard [...]

November 24th, 2009 | Tags: alpaca, alpaca fiber, alpaca shows, Alpacas, Brooke Shields, Colt, Colt McCoy, fiber, fiber break, show alpaca, show alpacas, Tim Tebow, vet, Xman | Category: Alpacas, The Alpaca Lifestyle | Comments (18)