Alpaca Farm     Alpaca Facts     Alpaca Fiber     Alpaca Apparel Care     Alpaca Fiber Grade

My name is Hercules de Bolivia. I can share a little history of Peoh Point, where my farm is located. Peoh Point is the area lying directly south of the Yakima River and the town of Cle Elum in Washington. The area was first known as the Iron Mountain district. Settlers built homesteads here as early as 1880 and gradually farms began to appear in the virgin forest, as logs were cut and sold to the local sawmills.
 
In the year of 1913-1914, two ambitious young school teachers, also called school ma’ams, started an organization known as a Literary society. This society drew the people of the community together. It was during these meetings that the district name of "Peoh Point" came into being. It was named for old Indian Peoh who lived for many years at the foot of the mountain.

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Alpaca Types
There are two types of Alpacas: the Huacaya with its soft, crimpy fleece, and the Suri with its long, silky locks. Our fleece colors range from pure white to fawn, many shades of brown and grey, and jet black. Sweaters and (garments) made from our fleece and are known for their softness, quality, and warmth.

Life Span
Alpacas live 15- to 25-years. We grow to an average height of 36-inches at the top of our withers. The withers are at the top of our shoulders at the base of our neck. We weight is between 100 to 175 pounds when fully grown. We are easy to train and well suited for small farms.

Alpaca Birth
Alpaca moms have a very high percentage of successful, problem free births. Momma Alpacas give birth to one baby, called a cria, a year. Momma Alpacas are pregnant 340 days or 11 and a half months a year. Like my mom Hopi. When we are born, we weigh between 15 to 19 pounds.

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Treat your handicraft projects to soft, sumptuous alpaca yarn, fiber and accessories. Our store carries natural fiber, natural yarn and several dyed yarn types. We also carry beginner and intermediate knit and crochet patterns.

The following instructions will help you in the process of washing, drying and storing the alpaca
product from Andean Art. There are two ways of washing your alpaca products (we do not recommend the use of a washing machine): hand washing and dry cleaning. Most products require only the first type. However, we recommend, if needed, a periodical (one year) dry clean. Other products (structured coats, finely woven items or accessories) should only be dry cleaned.

Hand washing
Use cool water ( 85ºF/196ºC max.) and a mild soap or a human hair shampoo.
Never use chlorine bleach. Woolite is not recommended.
Remove any excess water carefully, avoiding any wriggling or twisting.
Dry the product in a flat position in the shade. Block the product, reshaping it to its original
dimensions.
By hand, carefully remove any wrinkles and straighten seams and facings. Never use a brush.
After the product has dried, touch up with a cool iron as needed

Dry cleaning
If you have a several pieces outfit we recommend that you clean it at the same time to avoid color
discrepancies after the washing process.
Inform the cleaner of any spot or stains.
Ask the cleaner to use a fresh solvent in low heat and a process that does not involve tumbling.
It is recommended that you go to a dry cleaner that has previously dealt with alpaca.

Storing and preserving your product
Before storing, make sure that the item is fully dry.
There are various techniques to avoid damage resulting from the presence of moths. It will be
better if you store the product in a sealed cedar chest, a freezer (in a zip lock bag) or any moth
protected environment.
Sachets using dried lavender are also useful.
We do not recommend the use of mothballs.
We hope that the above instructions will be useful for you.

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Alpaca fiber is graded into six standard grades, each grade identified according to micron range:

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