Discover the Joy of Spinning Alpaca

Service Description

Come and discover the wonderful qualities of alpaca fibre in this relaxed, hands-on spinning workshop. Soft, smooth, lustrous and sometimes surprisingly crimpy, alpaca has a character all of its own. We’ll explore how to work with the fibre rather than trying to make it behave like wool. We’ll begin by getting to know our alpaca fleece, looking at staple length, crimp, handle, lustre and elasticity. We’ll also explore the idea of fibre “memory” and discover what the crimp and structure of alpaca mean for the way it behaves when stretched and spun. You’ll learn how to prepare alpaca for spinning and experiment with drafting techniques, discovering how to manage its smooth, sometimes slippery nature. We’ll explore how different amounts of twist affect softness, strength, definition and drape, and how to make deliberate choices to create the yarn you want. And then we’ll add wool to the mix! You’ll spin a small sample of alpaca and compare it with an alpaca/wool blend, exploring what wool contributes in terms of grip, elasticity, resilience and character. It’s a fascinating way to see how blending can transform both fibre and yarn. We’ll also look at plying and finishing, and how these final stages influence the finished yarn. Throughout the day you’ll create a series of small samples and record your observations on a worksheet to take home. This workshop is suitable for spinners who are comfortable spinning and plying a basic yarn. It is not intended as a beginner spinning workshop. Refreshments are provided throughout the day. Please bring your own lunch. Come ready to experiment, play with fibre and discover just how much you can do with alpaca!