AboutBJ Heeke Expertise I can answer questions about spindle spinning, low whorl, high whorl, & supported spindles. I can answer questions about navajo plying on a wheel, & andean plying from a spindle. I can also answer questions regarding making one`s own spindles from CD`s or wooden wheels and dowels.
I have limited weaving experience, but if I do not know the answer, I surely will find someone who does!
Experience I have been spinning for 20 years. I make my own spindles. I have taught spindling classes.
Organizations Northwest Regional Spinner's Association, Texas Fiber Guild, Heart of Texas Spinners & Weavers, & Spindlitis. Past member of the Little Flock Handspinners of Seattle (disbanded) and Valley Spinners (opps, lapsed membership).
Publications I have written a series of articles for NwRSA's newsletter 'Loose Threads' for spinners about finding information on the Internet called 'Wired Threads'.
I have served as an editor for the Contemporary Handweavers of Texas as well as membership chair for 2 years. I also taught a spindling class at the 2005 conference in Austin, TX.
I will be teaching at Kid 'n Ewe in Boerne, TX November 10-12, 2006.
Question I have shorn my two alpacas for the third year. I have all raw fiber and have decided to try to process it my self, starting with no clue. Step one. How do I clean it? I have found directions for goat and sheep but they have high lanolin. My guys have none. Would I use the same process? I'm concerned that harsh detergents and hot water might damage the fiber. I also have to learn to card and spin but that's another set of questions. Thanks for your help.
Answer Terri,
How lucky you are to have alpacas! I love spinning alpaca, in fact have some on one of my spindles right now. I spin it when ever I can. I got a sample from a breeder who said the fleece/blanket won over 127 others in Louisiana last year.
Anyway, on to your question. As you know they like to roll in the dust and stuff, so you will need to clean it. Try to remove as much of the vegetable matter before washing. Before you shear next time, take a livestock blower and get the 'VM' out that way.
I usually do a hot water soak in soapy water for about 20 minutes, drain it and soak again for 20 minutes without the soap. The soap you use does not have to be very strong as you are not removing lanolin or grease. I have used ERA laundry soap on all of my fibers and it works well. You can use dish soap too. If the water draining is pretty clear go ahead and lay it out to dry. If not soak again. If you don't get the dirt out in the fiber, it will stay in the resulting yarn which you don't want!
I clean my fibers in the kitchen sink, but some people like to use the washing machine. The only caveat about that is to turn off the agitator and do not let cold water run onto the fiber. Alpaca felts just as well as wool!
I hope this helps and if you have any more questions there is lots of good information out there, just <a href=http://www.google.com> Google</a> for what you want.
