Rama Llama

Two years ago, at the Estes Park Wool Market, I spotted some llama fiber in a bargain tub. It was small bag with 2 ounces of black, two ounces of white, and 1.5 ounces of brown. Do you see where this going? Yes, it was a bargain. The price was good. Wool costs more. I couldn't resist a chance to try llama with out spending a fortune.

Recently, I decided it was time to spin it up. I had decided it would be neat to ply the three together but what to do about 1.5 versus 2 ounces. The solution was to spin the brown thinner than the others. So, the battle started.

Turns out the fiber was loaded with extras, straw, cheat grass, a couple of burrs, and little tiny brown leaves. Also, the processing hadn't left the fibers lined up all the time. Here and there a small batch wound around themselves. Here was the true reason it was in the bargain bin.

It took twice as long to spin as expected. I end up with 110 yards bulky three ply, 7 yards of white, and 64 yards of brown leftover. I figure that isn't too bad for what I was trying.