TWO FIBER MAVENS PLUS TWO DREAMS EQUALS ONE LLAMA FIBER POOL

For many years, two fiber mavens, who had yet to meet, sat dreaming by their own mounds of llama fiber. They each dreamed of many ways to introduce llama fiber to the public, to encourage llama owners to shear their llamas and use the fiber, and to create a demand for llama fiber products. They dreamed of a llama fiber pool. They each sheared their llamas, prepared the fiber, and spun it into yarn. They used the yarn to knit and weave, and they wore clothing made from their llamas' fiber. One day these two fiber mavens met. When they shared their knowledge and their dreams, they discovered that their dreams were similar. They decided to make one dream a reality.

The two mavens are Barb Robertson of Railside Farm in Ashland, Virginia and Elena Stamberg of Graceful Legend Llamas in Barnesville, Maryland. Their dream of a llama fiber pool became a reality this past year when they learned of a woolen mill that could process llama fiber into 100% llama yarn.

The project took almost a year from its inception to the reality of the yarn. First, the mill was contacted for information about prices, minimum amounts of fiber accepted, length and quality of fiber accepted, the time involved, and styles of yarn offered. Then, potential participants were contacted to determine interest in the fiber pool. Enthusiasm abounded and breeders were excited about having a use for their fiber. A schedule was set up which included locations and times for fiber collection, a fiber sorting day, and a mailing day. A grading worksheet describing fiber characteristics of cleanliness, quality, and condition was developed to help participants choose fleeces for the pool.

Participants were notified of the schedule and they received the fiber grading worksheet. Three options for participation were offered: 1) donating fiber, 2) selling fiber to the pool, or 3) receiving yarn. Of the thirteen participating breeders, five chose to sell their fiber, eight chose to receive yarn, and none chose to donate their fiber. All participants did an excellent job of selecting fleeces for the pool.

After all the fiber was gathered, one very hot July day was spent sorting through 150 lbs of llama fleece. Fleeces were sorted by color into shades of white, black, dark brown, red brown, taupe and multicolored. Even for fiber mavens, the sorting process was educational and enjoyable. It was sheer pleasure to touch that much fiber and experience the color, the texture and the loft of each fleece.

Since this fiber pool project was most likely a first for the llama industry as a whole, no prior experience or data was available to use for guidance. Many educated guesses and decisions had to be made concerning the final cost per pound, the record keeping process, the type of fleeces to be accepted, and the amount to pay for fiber that was purchased. Active communication was maintained to keep participants informed about the progress of the project.

Many hours of volunteer time went into hatching, planning and developing this dream. The rewards of the project arrived with the yarn. Pool participants are elated with their yarn, and most of the educated guesses were correct. The overall return rate was 72%, and the cost per finished pound, which included fiber pool expenses of mailing, phone calls and supplies, was around $12.50.

The fiber mavens are still dreaming, and plans are underway for next year's fiber pool. This time their dreams are about expanding the pool, marketing the yarn and designing projects so breeders, knitters and weavers can experience the pleasure of working with and wearing the wonderful renewable resource of llama fiber.

If you would like more information about this project or if you would like help in setting up a fiber pool, you may contact Elena or Barb.