From Fleece to Fiber: Hand Spinning Alpaca Yarn the Slow Fashion Way
There’s something timeless about the whir of a spinning wheel. The rhythm. The quiet focus. The transformation of raw fiber into yarn you can wrap around your fingers. For centuries, hand spinning has connected people to the land, the animals, and the garments they wear. At Enchanted Fibers, that connection begins with our herd of alpacas — each one with a name, a personality, and a coat that offers some of the softest, warmest fiber in the world.
Why Alpaca Fiber is a Spinner’s Dream
Alpaca fiber is beloved by hand spinners for good reason:
Softness Without the Itch – Unlike many wools, alpaca fiber lacks lanolin, making it hypoallergenic and ideal for sensitive skin.
Lightweight Warmth – Hollow fibers create natural insulation without heaviness.
Natural Luster & Drape – The smooth scales of alpaca give finished yarn a subtle sheen and a lovely flow in garments.
Color Variety – From creamy whites to rich chocolates and silvers, alpaca comes in 22 natural colors before you even touch a dye pot.
When you spin alpaca, you’re working with a fiber that feels luxurious in your hands from the very first twist.
From Herd to Hand – Preparing the Fiber
Every skein of our hand spun yarn begins in the pasture. We shear our alpacas once a year in the spring, a gentle process that leaves them cool and comfortable for the warm months ahead.
The preparation process includes:
Sorting & Grading – We separate prime blanket fiber from coarser neck and leg fibers.
Cleaning – Alpaca doesn’t hold much lanolin, but we still remove bits of hay, dirt, and the occasional mystery burr.
Carding – Fibers are brushed into airy, aligned batts or rolags, ready for spinning.
processing - at Enchanted Fibers, we choose to send our cleaned and graded fiber to an artisan mill for processing. Here the mill will wash and card the fiber to create roving for hand spinners to use. This roving will have all of the fibers aligned into a common direction which will make the spinning process easier.
Each step is done with care, because the better the preparation, the more effortless the spin.
The Hand Spinning Experience
Whether you spin on a traditional wheel, a drop spindle, or an electric spinner, alpaca fiber offers a smooth, flowing drafting experience.
Tips for spinning alpaca:
Mind the Twist – Alpaca’s slippery texture means it benefits from a touch more twist than wool to hold fibers together.
Blend for Structure – Mixing alpaca with silk, bamboo, or fine wools can add loft, elasticity, or shimmer. At Enchanted Fibers, we love using a Camel/Silk blend, Yak/Silk Blend and Mohair as blending fibers.
Experiment with Thickness – From laceweight to chunky singles, alpaca adapts beautifully.
At Enchanted Fibers, we let the fiber’s personality guide us — some fleeces want to be fine, airy lace; others shine in a cozy, rustic worsted.
Why Hand Spun is Different
Mill-spun yarns are wonderful, but hand spun yarn carries a certain life in it. You can feel the spinner’s rhythm, see the natural variation in twist, and sense the direct line from animal to artisan to you.
What makes our hand spun yarn special:
Spun from our own herd’s fiber, so you know the alpaca behind your skein.
Minimal processing to preserve natural softness.
Small-batch artistry — no two skeins are alike.
It’s yarn with a heartbeat.
Bringing Hand Spun Alpaca into Your Projects
Knitting with hand spun alpaca is like painting with watercolors — the flow, the depth, the softness all translate into pieces that feel alive.
Best uses:
Scarves, shawls & wraps – Show off the drape.
Hats & mitts – Take advantage of the warmth.
Special accent pieces – Let the yarn be the star.
Because every skein is unique, many makers let the yarn guide the design, embracing the beauty of natural variation.
A Thread That Connects Us
Hand spinning isn’t just about making yarn — it’s about honoring a process that connects earth, animal, and maker. With every skein of our hand spun alpaca yarn, you’re not just holding fiber. You’re holding a piece of the pasture, the whisper of the wheel, and the story of an animal whose fleece was grown with care.
At Enchanted Fibers, we’re proud to carry forward this tradition, one twist at a time.
Check out our current hand-spun yarn offerings
