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| The Small Farm with a Big Heart |
| Fiber Details |
| Under a microscope, the individual fiber from an Alpaca begins to reveal some of its secrets! One can see that an individual Alpaca fiber consists of outer "scales" lying against the shaft. Three factors will effect the feel, or "hand" of the yarn made from this material. The diameter, measured in microns (1/25,000 of an inch) is the major determinant. However, Alpaca fiber often feels softer than sheep's wool that is several microns finer in diameter due to the scale height and scale frequency. The scale height of an Alpaca fiber is about .04 microns compared to .08 microns for wool. The scale frequency of mohair is 6-8 per 100 micron length of fiber and of Alpaca is greater than 9 per 100 micron length of fiber. In other words, the individual shaft of an Alpaca fiber is measurably smoother than that of other natural fibers. A cross section of an Alpaca fiber will reveal microscopic air pockets. These pockets of air add to the insulating qualities as well as the light weight of a garment made from Alpaca. The Huacaya Alpaca fleece demonstrates the qualities of crimp and crinkle. The natural wave in the Alpaca's fiber creates a yarn that retains its shape over time. Suri Alpaca fleece is known for its luster. It is commonly used in high end woven goods, as the showcases the beautiful way it interacts with light. |
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