I've washed alpaca fiber which I assume is similar to llama. I just soaked it
in mothproofing liquid which I stupidly rinsed out. But I didn't do anything
differently than washing sheep's wool. It was dirtier than sheeps wool because
they liked to roll in dirt and hay, but it's no biggy. Just
I believe you wash it the same as wool being careful not to felt it.
ann
Shepherds' Spring Farm
North Gower On.
Canada
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
Behalf Of M Grim
Sent: August 19, 2007 12:56 PM
To: fibernet@imagicomm.com
Subject: llama
Hi
Vicky what are you using for mothproofing?
Ann
Shepherds' Spring Farm
North Gower On.
Canada
-Original Message-
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On
Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: August 20, 2007 8:40 AM
To: fibernet@imagicomm.com
Subject: Re: llama
I've washed
Well, the latest stuff I bought is Meadows Wool Wash, Patchouli. For allwool
and fine washables and blended with pure herbal essential oils for natural
insect and moth repellence. It contains no chemicals or bleaches that are
harmful to fiber and it's biodegradable and phasphate free. Actually
This is the stuff I love: www.unicornfibre.com
Be sure to read their blips about washing, but also, do read the
section under commercial mini mills. I found it interesting that
higher temps, like we use on wool, can damage the finer, less-greasy
fibers such as alpaca and llama.
Even if
The times I've worked with llama I haven't washed it before
spinning. There is next to no grease in llama and dirt will fall
out as you spin. I find it much easier to wash AFTER spinning.
Katy The Urban Eagle
Katy Blanchard
Urban Eagle Herb Co.
Youngsville, New Mexico
www.urbaneagle.com
I'm sure not all llamas are covered in dirt at all times (ask a herd
owner g), but rolling in dust/dirt does seem to be a pretty common
thing among the camelids. For this reason, many spinners prefer to wash
the fiber first, because they'd rather not have that grit go through
their wheels.
I would wash llama (and alpaca, and other fibers that don't have lanolin) just
because the stuff still is dirty. I don't want it on my hands, wheel, or
bobbins.
Leigh recently wrote about her experience with unwashed alpaca -
http://leighsfiberjournal.blogspot.com/2007/08/alpaca-progress.html
