Fiber Grading Worksheet

This worksheet was designed to determine which llama fiber is acceptable for use in a spinning mill. It can also be used to determine the useability of the fiber from your llama. For each fleece, choose a numerical value for the description in each category that most closely describes the fiber. Add all three values together and find a fiber grade under Fiber Grading By The Numbers. Llama fiber for the mill must grade Custom or better and be at least a 3 in Quality, a 2 in Cleanliness and a 3 in Condition. If you would like to start a llama fiber pool or add some llama fiber to an existing fiber pool, visit Llama Wool Pool.

Quality of Fiber

very coarse down, very coarse to touch, heavy stiff guard hair
medium coarse down, stiff guard hair, homogenized
medium down, multipurpose, medium amount of homogenized or removable guard hair
medium to fine down, garment quality, light amount of fine or easily removed guard hair, some luster
finest fiber, soft enough to be worn next to the skin, single soft hair coat, lustrous, uniformity throughout

Cleanliness of Fiber

too dirty to work with, filled with dust and unremovable vegetation, smells bad, eggs of any type or amount
dirty, lots of vegetation but cleanable, will take lots of work to prepare to spin
moderate amount of dirt and vegetation
fairly clean, little dirt, small amount of easily removed vegetation
very clean, no cleaning necessary to use

Condition of Fiber

dry, brittle, tender, broken fibers, heavily matted, nebs, too short to use (less than 3inches)
dry, matted, tippy, some short or variable lengths, too long (6 inches +), some second cuts
healthy fiber, few mats or neps, adequate length (3-5inches)
healthy fiber, no mats or neps, adequate length, no second cuts
healthy fiber, no mats or neps, adequate length, no second cuts, ready to spin as is

Fiber Grading By The Numbers

14-15	Premium Plus
12-13	Premium
10-11	Custom Plus
8-9	Custom
5-7	Craft
4 or less	Reject

Last updated on February 8, 1997

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