Fiber Sorting - What is it and Why is it beneficial?

Fiber sorting – What is it?

It is the process where each alpaca’s fiber is hand separated by grade, length and color, to create uniformity of your entire fiber harvest.

Grades are internationally recognized micron groupings.  Also included are items which can be made from each grade.

Grade 1 - <19.9 microns next to the skin, lace wear, sleep wear, baby items
Grade 2 – 20.0 – 22.9 microns gentle use, lace shawls & scarves, light sweater

Grade 3 – 23.0 – 25.9 microns hand knits, gloves, hats, scarves, socks and long lasting knitted wear

Grade 4 – 26.0 – 28.9 microns outerwear, durable socks, sofa throws, felt

Grade 5 – 29.0 – 31.9 microns duvets, coats, upholstery, quilt batts, pet beds

> greater than 32 microns woven rugs and tote bags, insulation

Length
Woolen (WL) 1.5” – 3.75” Yarn has loft or bloom. Great insulating factor. Think knitted items.
Worsted (WR) 3.75” – 6” Yarn is smooth, flat with drape. Think lace and woven items.

Color – Textile colors are not the same as Alpaca Regitry colors. Any deviation or contamination of coloring changes the textile color. Examples would include brown with black primaries would be put in rose grey. Black with white fibers would be relegated to silver grey. White with fawn primaries would be considered beige.

Why is it beneficial?

*Sorted fiber introduces the concept of quality control into the alpaca fiber production industry.
*Sorted fiber results in superior fiber of all grades by making the fiber uniform.
*Uniform fiber reduces pilling, shedding and prickle factor as well as increases wearability and durability.
*Sorted fiber experiences less waste at the processor. More useable raw fiber means more profitability.
*Sorted fiber is used to make grade-specific products. All grades are usable and profitable.

Contact me at Marceels@aol.com if you would like additional information.