On National Alpaca Farm Day, visitors to Shaggy Chic’ (pronounced sheek) Suri Ranch north of Windom were fascinated by a spinning wheel demonstration, listened to dulcimer music and looked over a variety of products made from alpaca fiber. But there was no doubt about the star of this show.
A seven-month-old Suri alpaca named Hot Pepper drew a crowd of children and inquisitive adults wanting to learn more about this graceful and gentle animal, native to Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. Hot Pepper is fresh off a first place finish in a show in New Mexico and his owners, Brian and Sharlene Parks, say he prefers to just be called "Hottie" after the big win.
He certainly lived up to the name on Saturday.
So, just how did these elegant and intelligent cousins of the llama make their way from South America to northern Fannin County?
It was only a little over 20 years ago that alpacas were imported to North America from their native habitat in the Andean Mountains where they have been bred for thousands of years because of the remarkable fiber these beautiful animals produce. Alpaca fiber, which sells for $10 an ounce, is much lighter and silkier than wool, but just as warm.
Alpacas have also become a favorite of 4-H clubs because they can be trained to negotiate obstacle courses. Some county fairs now feature these popular alpaca competitions.
Alpacas are about half the size of llamas, with adult animals weighing 125-175 pounds. There are two types of alpacas in the United States today, the Huacay and the Suri. The types are primarily distinguished by the fiber they produce, with Suri alpacas' softer fleece more in demand.
The animals are typically shorn annually and produce approximately seven to eight pounds of a luxurious fiber that contains such a miniscule amount of lanolin that it is considered hypoallergenic. Not only is alpaca fiber a favorite of knowledgeable outdoor enthusiasts, but the fiber's ability to wick moisture makes it even more valuable to people with diabetes and foot problems.
Quality alpaca fibers can make clothing as soft as cashmere, with the sheen of silk and the warmth of wool
Expect to pay about $20 for a pair of socks made from alpaca fibers and a shawl, actually called a ruana, will set you back $160. But bear in mind that many ruanas fashioned from alpaca fleece have been handed down for up to four generations and, with proper care, retain their beauty for 100 years.
A hand-spun sweater made from alpaca fiber will cost approximately $600...rather costly until you realize several weeks are required to make a sweater completely by hand.
Shaggy Chic’ Suri Ranch carries a complete line of alpaca products and many items were on display for visitors to look over during National Alpaca Farm Day held September 29-30. And a demonstration by Paris, Texas natives Jim and Linda Johnson was almost as captivating as the herd of alpacas that grazed the rolling hills of this scenic farm.
Linda is a member of the North Texas Hand-Spinner and Weavers Guild and her demonstrations on both a double-drum castle-style wheel and the small drop spindle attracted a crowd to watch the time-honored art of turning spinning fiber. At the same time, Jim provided the perfect background music on a McSpadden dulcimer.
"We share all we know," Mrs. Johnson explains, "because it was almost a lost art."
Each fiber has its own characteristics, Linda points out, suggesting that beginners start with wool because of the way the fibers interlock so easily. Alpaca fiber takes a more experienced spinner because the fibers don't hook together the way wool does.
"Angora is even slicker," she adds.
Although Mrs. Johnson has enjoyed spinning and refining her craft for 25 years, anyone interested in learning the fascinating art of hand-spinning fiber can be spinning away in a day with the help of an instructor.
Linda suggests prospective spinners should stop by Michelle's Crafts on the west side of the Paris Square any Tuesday night between 5:00-7:00 p.m. A spinning wheel is available and you can find hand-spinners, weavers and crochet specialists willing to share their captivating skills.
For more information, please call Michelle's Crafts at 903-737-9757.
Jim and Linda will head west this next weekend to take in the 24th Annual Wool Festival in Taos, New Mexico on October 6-7 at Kit Carson Park. In addition to the many talented craftsmen this regional event will attract, the festival will be even more special to the Johnson's because their son is a professional hand-spinner with a booth at the festival.
But National Alpaca Farm Day was set aside to focus on these intriquiging members of the New World camelid family that have grown from a few dozen animals in the U.S. in the mid 1980s to approximately 100,000 alpacas in North America today. And Shaggy Chic’ Suri Ranch did a wonderful job of promoting their beautiful herd as well as the line of products made from alpaca fiber.
While alpacas are relatively expensive - a pair of quality females will sell for $18,000-$20,000 - they are easy to handle and a fertile acre can accommodate up to 10 alpacas.
To find out more about alpacas in general or to learn more about Shaggy Chic’ Suri Ranch, visit www.shaggychicsuri.com, call 903-623-3048, or email farmergirl49@netzero.net
