ALPACA FIBRE INFORMATION     Alpacas have been selectively bred for their fine fibre for more than 5000 years. Over the centuries alpaca coat colour was diversified and fibre production was refined. Guard hair, which is present on the wild guanaco and vicuna and the domestic llama, has for the most part been bred out of the alpaca. Alpacas have two different types of fleece:  Suri and Huacaya.  Suri alpacas are distinguished by their long silky fibre that grows parallel to the body and hangs in long, separate, distinctive pencil locks. It has a slick hand and softness with an exquisite luster. Huacaya alpacas are distinguished by their thick dense fleece growing vertically from the body. Huacaya fibre has a brightness or sheen.           Alpacas have been selectively bred for their fine fibre for more than 5000 years. Over the centuries alpaca coat colour was diversified and fibre production was refined. Guard hair, which is present on the wild guanaco and vicuna and the domestic llama, has for the most part been bred out of the alpaca. Alpacas have two different types of fleece:  Suri and Huacaya.  Suri alpacas are distinguished by their long silky fibre that grows parallel to the body and hangs in long, separate, distinctive pencil locks. It has a slick hand and softness with an exquisite luster. Huacaya alpacas are distinguished by their thick dense fleece growing vertically from the body. Huacaya fibre has a brightness or sheen. Alpaca is considered to be a relatively rare specialty fibre. Worldwide approximately 4000 tons of alpaca fibre is produced each year in comparison to 5000 tons of Cashmere, 8500 tons of Angora rabbit and 22,000 tons of Mohair. Of the 4000 tons of alpaca produced annually, less than 1% of that is produced each year in North America. We, in North America, are at the very early stages of the alpaca fibre industry, and there is incredible room for expansion and development of this natural fibre resource Alpaca fibre combines a number of extremely desirable attributes into one fibre: 1.   Alpaca fibre is silky, soft, supple and smooth to the touch. It is prized for its unique silky feel and luxurious handle. 2.   Alpaca is found in 22 distinct colours which can be blended into an infinite array of natural shades. 3.   Alpaca is unusually strong and resilient. The strength does not diminish as it becomes finer. 4.   Alpaca is as soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than lambs� wool. 5.   Alpaca is easily dyed any colour and always retains its natural lustre. 6.   Alpaca is more thermally efficient than wool, cashmere, or cotton and is naturally water repellent 7.   Most people allergic to wool can comfortably wear pure alpaca next to their skin due to the manner of scale placement along the shaft of each fibre and the fact that it does not contain lanolin. 8.   Today, alpaca graces fashion collections around the world: Frankfurt, Florence, Paris, London, New York, Milan and Tokyo. WASHING INSTRUCTIONS: Socks - Wash in washing machine (cold or warm water), hang up to dry. (Can put in dryer but may shrink a little) All Articles with mixed fiber (Alpaca and synthetic fibre) - Hand Wash in mild detergent (Zero) or Machine Wash in mild detergent (e.g. Zero), gentle cycle, cold water, lay flat to dry 100% Alpaca - hand wash in warm water with mild detergent. Do not wring out. Gently squeeze. Rinse with same temperature water. Lay flat to dry. (Reshape if necessary) 100% knitted and felted mitts: Put on hands and wash with mild detergent in sink. Rinse in same temperature water. Remove from hands, reshape and lay flat to dry.     Ravenscrag Alpaca Fashions           With the exception of the Alpaca socks all our Alpaca Fashions are made by Linda Tarney with fiber from our own animals. Check out the price tag to see the picture of the animal your article came from! To purchase any item visit our farm. If you can't visit, items may be purchased with Visa or Mastercard by phone or email. Actual shipping costs will be added.           SOCKS Due to the large amount of fiber required for each batch of socks we combine our fiber with fiber from local Alpaca farms. The sorted fiber is taken to the exotic fiber mill in Innisfail where they add the nylon and process it into yarn. It is then sent to a mill in Quebec for processing into socks. We have found over the past few years that this mill produces very nice, durable socks that wear well. Because each batch is different the colors will vary year to year. All socks are 80% Alpaca and 20% Nylon     Thick Winter Socks Thick looped interior. Very warm and comfortable! Great for people working outside or anyone with poor circulation. Our daughter loves to wear hers as slippers! Sizes: Small (up to ladies 6) Medium (Ladies 6 to 9)  Large (Ladies 9 to Men's 8 ) XLarge  Men's 9 to 14) $35.00 per pair             Fashion Cable Socks Very comfortable dress socks and light socks for summer wear. Half Terry Socks These socks are great for wearing in shoes, hiking boots, etc. when you want the warmth but not the thickness.  They have a double sole and the thinner tops. Sizes: Small (up to ladies 6) Medium (Ladies 6 to 9)  Large (Ladies 9 to Men's 8 ) XLarge  Men's 9 to 14) $30.00 per pair             INSOLES Try these in the bottom of your boots for added warmth and padding! Great for anyone who has to stand on cement floors! Also work well in the bottom of rubber boots. 65% Alpaca 35% wool $8.00 per pair             FELTED MITTS My felted mitts are knitted large and then felted providing a soft, warm, thick mitt that is wind resistant.  Because Alpaca naturally repels water these mitts stay dry for a long time. Wear these for work with liners or for driving, walking, etc. for the ultimate in warmth! Ladies: Cuffs are made with 50% Alpaca and 50% novelty acrylic yarn. The mitt itself is 100% alpaca. Black/Hand Dyed: $50.00 Natural Colors: $45.00 Mens: Cuffs and Mitts are 100% Alpaca. Black/Hand Dyed: $60.00 Natural Colors: $55.00 NATURAL COLORS SHOWN             LADIES FELTED HATS The felted hats are made the same as the felted mitts. These are knitted larger and then felted onto hat shapers to obtain the desired sizes from Small to Large. Some have 50% alpaca and 50% acrylic in the brim to achieve a different look than the 100% alpaca brim. The remainders of the hats are 100% alpaca. Price: $ 75.00             LADIES HATS Various styles of ladies hats including ear flap! The ear flap hats are great for walking in the cold winter months and they cover your forehead and ears. Alpaca and Acrylic. All hats have alpaca from 50 to 80% and Acrylic from 20 to 50%. Colors and styles vary. Prices range from $20.00 to $45.00             CHILDREN'S/BABY HATS/SCARVES Baby/Children/Youth hats are knitted in various styles including the popular ear flap hats. They are colorful and some are made using hand dyed alpaca. All hats and scarves are 50% alpaca and 50% acrylic. Prices range from $10.00 to $25.00           SCARVES 100% Alapca Scarves: (NOT SHOWN) $30.00 to $45.00 Novelty Scarves (SHOWN) All novelty scarves are made with 50% alpaca and 50% acrylic/novelty yarns. Feel the difference! The alpaca adds warmth and body without taking away from the style and color. Prices: $30.00 to $45.00                 HAND WOVEN SCARVES Hand-woven scarves are dressy and very soft resulting in a nice drape. Some of these scarves are 50% bamboo and 50% alpaca.  Others are 100% alpaca.  Finished sizes vary Prices vary           PONCHOS, SHAWLS I make a variety of ponchos and shawls from a mix of alpaca/acrylic to 100% alpaca. 100% Alpaca triangular shawls come in sizes S, M, L and are great over an evening dress. Prices vary             PASHMINA SHAWLS Going on a cruise? These shawls are great over your evening dress for walking on the deck in the cool of the evening. They are very elegant as well as very warm! The pattern I use is reversible and can be custom made to a size you like. Regular size: 24" wide by 100" long including fringe. 100% Alpaca Prices start at $160.00 depending on the fiber color and grade. Grade 1 is the finest and most expensive. Best to feel the fiber to see what you want.           ALPACA FIBER Working with Alpaca fiber, whether you are knitting, weaving, or spinning is the ultimate pleasure! I have been knitting and crocheting for almost 50 years and since I started working with alpaca fiber almost 8 years ago I am amazed at the results and how nice it is to work with. Try your hand at it and if you are a spinner you will really enjoy spinning with it. I have alpaca fibre from fine to 3 ply worsted in all natural colors. This summer I am hoping to do some more dyeing and will then have more colors available. Depending on the time of year we have up to 10 natural colors available including black, grey, dark brown, dark fawn, medium fawn, light fawn, champagne, white, etc.               Black and Cria (baby) - $18.00 All other natural colors - $16.00 Rovings: $12.00/100 gm.        Hand Dyed Colors        $17.00 to $19.00         Ravenscrag Alpacas  |  Wayne & Linda Tarney  |  Email: linda@ravenscragalpacas.ca Rocky Mountain House, AB  |  Telephone: 1-403-845-5616 Also operating Zelda's Tea Nook & Gifts