The Versatility of Llama Fiber

By: Jessica Bain (Wunderful Pines Farm)

As llama owners and breeders, one of the selling points and profitable uses of our llamas is their fiber, but how many of us actually use their fiber? Llama fiber has many beneficial qualities:

An all-natural fiber that is eco-friendly and biodegradable

Light weight but more insulating than sheep’s wool

Fire resistant

Durable

Moisture wicking

Multiple natural colors

Variety of fineness

As an amateur fiber artist, I have enjoyed using my llama fiber in many ways. I started off by learning to spin the fiber about 15 years ago. I sat down next to some ladies who were spinning at a llama show while waiting between classes. One of them handed me a drop spindle and said “let me show you.” consequently hooked on spinning and making f items with my llamas’ fiber.

The Versatility of Llama Fiber

You don’t have to learn to spin to make things from llama fiber. Weaving, knitting, crocheting and felting can all be used to incorporate llama fiber in functional items. One of the simplest items that I have made are felted soaps. I actually learned how to make them when I was in 4-H. Felted soaps are made by wrapping llama fiber (typically in batts or roving) around a bar of soap. Then, you soak the fiber with water and rub the fiber around the bar of soap until it felts into a solid piece. Now you have a felted washcloth around the bar of soap. What a great item for camping, sporting events, picnics and other outdoor activities!

The Versatility of Llama Fiber

Llama fiber is versatile in the variety of types of fiber. Some llamas produce fiber that rivals alpaca for fineness and can be worn next to skin. Suri Llama and alpaca fiber is very drapey because it generally doesn’t have crimp. This can result in very luxurious fabrics for scarves, shawls, and cowls.

It can be challenging to use for items that require elasticity or memory, such as hats, sweaters, and socks. However, llama fiber will blend easily with more elastic fibers, such as wool, and can result in wonderfully warm garments.

I have knitted and crocheted multiple next to skin items using 100% llama and llama/wool blends.

I gifted this item to a friend who later told me that she wore it for 8 hours straight: “It hasn’t budged, slipped, moved. It’s not itchy. It’s not too hot [inside my vehicle], keeps me warm outside. I just may never take it off.”

Pictured is a crocheted headband that is made from handspun yarn that is 70% llama and 30% Finn sheep.

Fiber & Fleece

The Versatility of Llama Fiber

When crocheting or knitting items from llama fiber that need to retain their shape, use a slightly smaller hook or needles than what the gauge requires or use a tighter tension.

Although, make sure not to go too small or tight in your stitches or it can cause the fabric to become stiff because llama fiber doesn’t naturally have a lot of elasticity. Doing a swatch can be very helpful in practicing with your llama yarn.

When constructing an item, such as a hat, that needs elasticity, use a pattern that includes a lot of ribbing as these stitches themselves are elastic and can offset the lack of elasticity in llama yarn.

I knitted a pair of fingerless mitts from handspun llama fiber yarn. I used one needle size smaller than was called for by the pattern and added a couple extra rows of ribbing on the cuffs.

The Versatility of Llama Fiber

Multiple art modalities can also create useful llama fiber products. This pair of slippers is made from an 80/20 blend of llama fiber and merino wool. First the slippers were crocheted. Then, I put the slippers in the washer with two pairs of jeans and detergent. I ran the washer on a hot wash cycle then a cold rinse cycle. I checked the slippers a few times during the wash cycle and made sure that they were felted adequately before moving on to the rinse cycle. Once fully rinsed, I stuffed the slippers with plastic bags to shape and stretch the slippers to the desired size, and left them to dry overnight

Some llama fiber is too coarse to use next to skin. This may be because the individual llama produces cou fiber, or it may be fiber that is seconds or thirds (the fin fiber or prime is from the barrel while seconds and third from the shoulders/hips and legs/neck/belly). There is still a use for this fiber too! Courser fiber is generally more durable or sturdy than fiber. So, this fiber is great for rugs, bags and purses tapestries, placemats and more.

One of my favorite projects is to make purses from my llamas’ sturdier fiber. This purse is crocheted from 100% llama fiber. Sometimes, I wet felt the crocheted purse, like the above slippers, to create a stiffer fabric. Due to the diamond pattern on this purse, I decided not to felt this one. Using fabric remnants from a local seamstress, a lining is created within the crocheted purse and sewn into place with a zipper. I use D-rings and crab-claw clips to attach a shoulder chain. I have also used old belts sewn into the lining of the purse to create a strap. These purses are incredibly strong and durable. I still use the first llama purse that I made this way, and I made that purse 15 years ago. While the leather fabric and belt strap have needed to be repaired and replaced, the llama fiber purse has stood the test of time.

Llama fiber has so many sellable qualities beyond looking great on the animal. Let’s start using and marketing this amazing fiber that our llamas produce for us!