Re: [AlpacaTalk] Re: Micron Testing clarified and EPD

 

I admit, I am a sucker for low micron. When you put your hand in a bag of fleece that measures below 20µ, oooooo, it's just so luscious. And, if you want lace weight yarn to make a very soft and lightweight scarf, baby blanket, gloves, or sweater, high micron fleeces just won't do.

That being said, I had some bulky yarn made from my old maroon boy's stronger fleece. Last time I had it tested in was 27µ. That yarn is ever so snuggly and cushy. If I could knit, I'd make a sweater out of it.

I think with a good mill, who will dehair the stronger fleeces, you do get a very nice yarn in return. 

There are good uses for every micron range, and so even our old and non-show quality alpacas make good, useful fleece. By the way, that crimp that is so highly rewarded at shows? Processors don't care one fig about crimp. Some hand spinners do, some don't. I can't tell the difference between a yarn made from a champion or one who didn't place, if it's the same micron range.

And yes, obviously the micron often increases as an animal ages, but if it didn't start out below 20µ, you'll never have that to work if, if that's what you want for a particular application.

Heather

On Oct 24, 2009, at 11:03 PM, LunarStruck@aol.com wrote:

Is anyone else besides me frustrated at all the information provided in these micron tests?  It is really off-putting to a new breeder and honestly, the confusion makes me just want to ignore them completely.  Just curious as to whether anyone else feels the same way. 

 

As a spinner and knitter, I'm starting to think why bother with testing, I go more by the feel of the yarn than anything else nowadays.  One of our mediocre micron count females produces our very best yarn on the ranch.  Can someone please explain to me why we need lower microns if the yarn produced by higher micron animals is better quality?  Isn't that what we are raising these animals for, better yarn quality or lower micron counts?

 

SUSAN OLSON

Alpaca Loco

Riverside, CA

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