This is kind of the opposite of the #yarnuary travel for yarn prompt: I'm really hoping that this llama I was given by a friend last year, who now lives on my farm, will give me some hyperlocal wool when it's finally warm enough to shear him in May.
I've never processed raw wool or spun wool, but I'm willing to learn in order to make a sweater from grass that I grew!
Any tips on processing raw wool? Anyone have experience with llama wool, specifically?
Just dust it off and start. Kamelids are different from sheep, they don't produce lanolin. So the scouring process, that removes the lanolin and dirt from a sheep's wool is mostly unnecessary. What dirt is in the fiber is mostly dust.
A friend puts the fiber is small portions in mesh bags, brings out the carpet beater. Rough shaking or other methods of giving the bags a good shake should do as well.
@sundogplanets
And very important: do all the preparation and spinning outside or in a place where you don't mind having sand and dust.
Llamas are double coated - they have longer kemp and then the fine underwool. You probably want that kemp out, if you plan on making garments. I haven't processed llama or seen it, only alpaca (which is often much less double coated), so I'm not quite sure, how well this can be done at home.
I've only been involved with alpaca, that usually is less double coated so I can't give good advice. But check the fleece, how much kemp is there and then find out, how to proceed from there.
@sundogplanets My wife has processed raw sheep's wool and has friends who have alpacas and llamas. My wife said llama isn't as greasy as sheep's wool so it's easier to process. If you haven't gotten enough advice yet, feel free to DM me and I'll get you connected to my wife. She said she'd be happy to ask her friends for llama wool processing resources/advice for you.
@NorwayJose Thanks! I'll probably put out another general plea for advice if/when I actually shear him. Right now it's -36C out so not going to be shearing anytime soon...
Even though I can't give any tips, after having enjoyed reading the answers here, I would like to point out that my llama poncho, which I brought with me from Bolivia in 1982, always had this dull grip and still does today. ☺️
In my opinion, this is not only typical of this wool, but also ensures enormous density in wind and storms. I congratulate you on the project and hope you will keep us informed as it progresses. 👏
I have spun it in long draw from the flock. Just loosened the fiber a bit before spinning. It was dirty as hell. Next time I would give it a gentle wash first.
I'm not sure if the curls on the side are matted? Felted into "dreadlocks" If yes, I wouldn't process them if you can't loosen them with ease.
You have enough fiber, it's a fast growing resource. So go ahead and experiment.
@sundogplanets I'd suggest to make or get a few drop spindles to start with. Rather light weight ones for Lama, if it's similar to alpaka. I love working with cross Spindles, and they're easy to diy.
Just start working with the fiber and embrace spinning "pregnant worms" first.
@Thebratdragon I was told that May is pretty much the only time it's warm enough and they have enough time to grow a coat back before it gets cold again. It's rather brutal weather here...
@sundogplanets My folks raise sheep, sheer, clean, card, and spin the wool, so I know you’ve got a lot of work ahead of you. But I have one of those made-from-the-grass up sweaters and it’s awesome.
@sundogplanets Not llama specifically but for sheep fleece at least, you want to first get a big tub of scalding hot water and do multiple soaks and rinses. Don't agitate significantly as that will start to felt it - the hot water will help to dissolve the lanolin. You can use a washing machine but it can be too much movement. Picking larger bits of debris / straw / dirt out first is good; you can get a picker to help open the locks up and remove clumpy bits of dirt as well.
@sundogplanets
I haven't worked with llama fiber, but I have worked with alpaca, and found it so incredibly dusty that no amount of washing was enough. Even after multiple, intensive sprayings with the kitchen sprayer at full blast in a colander, there was still fine dust on my fingers and in my lungs when I tried to spin it. My tubes are pretty sensitive, so I had to give the fiber to someone else.
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