Alpaca Blog

The Alpaca Blog will keep you up-to-date with changes to this website.

• Lets you know when new information has been added
• When we have posted a new project for you to try
• Lets you know about any new alpaca adventures we encounter on our farm
• And passes on news on alpacas, alpaca fibers, felting, and other crafts.

To subscribe to my Alpaca Blog, simply right-click on the orange RSS button (see bottom buttons on the left) and then paste the URL into your RSS reader. Or click on the My Yahoo! button or My MSN or Add To Google button if you keep a personalized home page there.

Cryptorchidism in Alpacas

Cryptorchidism in alpacas

Felted belt tutorial

Here's a colorful belt to make with roving and then felt. You could use the natural alpaca colors to make a very nice belt instead of dyed fiber. Click on the link to see the tutorial.

Home Business with alpaca fiber

Want to start a home business with your alpaca fiber? Come up with an idea of items you can make and sell. It's amazing how creative some people can be and successfully start a business from an idea. The link below will take you to a website of one of these creative people. She has created a unique niche with her felting. Follow the link and take a look at her products. We are not affiliated with this person or site. We just like to show you what can be done with your animal fiber and hopefully stimulate some of your own ideas for making your own products that you can sell.

Alpaca Fiber

What can you do with that luxurious fiber that alpacas produce? Well, let us tell you...no better, yet...follow the link and read for yourself.

Hot Alpacas

Well, we just got back from a trip to find it 107 degrees here in Selah and tomorrow is supposed to cool off to 103 degrees. We are asked the question all the time if Alpacas can handle the heat. Let us tell you, they handle it better than we do. They act like it's just fine outside while we whimp out and stay in the air conditioning. Of course, we finished shearing them and they love to be hosed down with water when it's this hot. So the answer to those inquiries is yes, the alpacas can handle the heat with proper preparation for it such as shearing.

Baby Moccasins

You can easily make soft, warm baby moccasins from your alpaca wool. Make them for your baby or a friends baby or make them to sell. For instructions, follow the link.

Alpaca shearing

Whew! We finished shearing all eight alpacas this weekend. The last two were the least enthusiastic about being hand sheared. We think next year we will try tying their (the two that freaked out, everyone else was fine) legs out and shearing them laying down.

One of the alpacas today kept freaking out and leaping up. Now he is limping on one of his front legs. Apparently, he twisted it during one of his jumps. He'll be ok. He's walking around eating and drinking. He is just touching that leg very tenderly on the ground.

We learned some lessons with the hand shearing and we still have more to learn. All-in-all it turned out pretty good. We accomplished what we needed to accomplish and for the most part it was better on the majority of animals.

Uterine Torsion

Uterine torsion in alpacas

Breeding Alpacas

Breeding alpacas and problems that can occur in the dam and stud.

alpaca breeding

Are you having trouble getting your alpaca females pregnant? Make sure they are getting enough selenium. Not enough and they can have trouble conceiving. Too much and it can be toxic. Be sure and follow recommended amounts from your vet.

Use Alpaca Yarn for Felted Purses

Alpaca yarn works great for making felted purses. This pattern is called "Romantic Ruffles". It is quick and easy and can be use for casual or dress occasions. Follow the link for the free pattern and use your alpaca yarn to make the handbag. You'll be glad you did!

Alpaca Shearing by hand Day 2

Wow, today went great! We now have four alpacas barrel sheared. Today we did Guy who always stresses really bad when sheared with electric clippers. We are always afraid he is going to injure himself during shearing. Today...he stood there calmly. It was unbelievable how relaxed he was compared to years before with the electric clippers.

The hand shearing went faster today. The second alpaca we did was Amber Rose and she was even better than ever before. She, too, just stood quietly. She usually screams.

So far we are sold on hand shearing. It is so amazing to us how much less stressed the animals are when hand sheared. We have not had any problems with our hands getting tired either.

Again...wow, what a difference in our animals attitudes. Four more to go.

You can read about our first hand shearing by following the link.

Needle felting a dragon DVD

Needle felting a dragon DVD that teaches you how to needle felt

Alpaca shearing by hand

Describes our first try at alpaca shearing by hand.

Dyeing alpaca

Alpacas come in 22 natural colors, but sometimes you'd like green or blue or purple, etc. So far we haven't been able to produce those colors naturally, therefore, we hand dye some of our alpaca fiber. Follow the link to see how we accomplish this.

Drop spinning

Drop spinning tutorial

Alpaca History

A brief description of alpaca history from ancient to modern times.

Cougar Kills Alpaca

Cougars, bears, and other predators can all attack alpacas. Here in Washington state, we do have to consider cougar attacks a possibility in rural areas. Your neighbors dog is still the most likely attacker. Read about this attack by following the link.

Alpaca Farm Basics

Visit our webpage about alpaca farm basics to learn about alpaca equipment, care, and other information about running an alpaca farm.

Fiberfill stuffing needle felted mushroom

Use fiberfill stuffing to needle felt a cute mushroom.

Simple Felted Turtle Tutorial

We came across this simple tutorial for making a felted turtle. Great project to do with children to show them how to felt. It's easy enough for younger children to do with some help from adults. Follow the link to see the tutorial.

Wet felted wool

Tips to help you make high quality wet felted wool.

Alpaca Fiber

Describes alpaca fiber characteristics and types of felting with alpaca fiber.

Needle Felted Wings

Making a needle felted fairy or angel. You'll need some wings. Read our needle felted wings tutorial to see how you can make some fabulous wings for your fairy creatures or angels.

Needle Felting (dry felting) a Pillow

Use our instructions to learn how to design your own pillow front and needle felt alpaca or other wool for a uniquely you project.

Needle Felting Tutorial

Learn how to needle felt a simple head by following our tutorial. Have fun!

Needle Felted Teddy Bear

Needle felt a string jointed bear using our tutorial.

Felted baby moccasin pattern

Use the baby moccasin pattern to make soft, warm booties for your baby from felted wool.