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Production
The alpaca’s are normally around 2½ years old before they are sheared for the first time. The wool from the first shearing is called ”baby alpaca wool” and is known for being finer than the wool from the adult alpaca. Normally the alpacas are sheared at the time of the year when the rain has cleaned the fur. They are normally are shorn every 2 years until their 7th year. One shearing normally provides around 3 kilograms of wool.
Following the shearing the wool is sorted by colour and quality. The quality is measured by the fineness and softness and on the length of the fibres. Normally, the fibres on the neck and back of the alpaca are the softest. This sorting of the wool is done by hand by the Indians who, from years of experience, can classify the fineness of the wool simple by running it through their fingers. |
