In North America, the llamas were brought in as a 'zoo' and 'exotic animal park' novelty; then later were used for packing and companion animal; more recently (1970's on) also as a show, guard/sentry, 4-H, cart and fiber animal. As the number of llamas have increased, through directed breeding, better nutrition and education, more and better llama fiber is being gathered and used around the country. Llama fiber is becoming highly prized by many handspinners, weavers, felters and fiber artists.

In South America, the llama fiber may be gathered and put in with alpaca fiber by grade. Finer fiber is called 'alpaca' and the courser fiber of either animal 'llama'.

Llamas have two types of fiber-guard hair and undercoat hair. The guard hair usually grows faster, is hollow, courser and straighter than the undercoat. The guard hair tends to cause rain, snow etc to run off and debris does not stick to the guard hair as much. The undercoat usually is finer, with much more crimp than the guard hair. These two factors create more loft which keep the llama warmer in winter by trapping in the body heat and in the summer allows the breeze to cool the body better. The double coated llama may also shed the undercoat.

With more selected breeding, recently llamas are producing guard hair that is finer and much closer to the behavior of the undercoat hair. Generally these are medium and long fibered llamas. This is being called 'single coat' though there still are two coats. These undercoats tend to be less fine than the original undercoat fibers. These single coats are being further divided into 1) hair with crimp; 2) hair with little crimp that has waves to form locks--this is being called 'suri' which is a term from alpaca fiber.

Llama guard fibers might be in the 22-45 micron range; the undercoat and 'single' fibers may be in the 16 to 30 micron range. The finer fibers are best used next to the skin as clothing. Diameter is just one consideration on the selection of fibers. Some fibers have more crimp--the number of ^^^^'s along the length of fiber--more ^'s equals more spring. The amount of light refraction equals the shine/luster of the fibers which add even more natural beauty to the yarns/garments.

The different fibers are used in different ways/methods. The guard hairs can be used to form lead lines and rope; combined with the undercoat, can be spun for yarn to weave rugs, llama blankets; the undercoat and the single hair fibers can be spun for clothing, cloth weavings. The 'suri type' fibers have less 'memory/spring' and may best be used in weavings or items with drape. The fiber with crimp can be used in knitted garments that need the memory/spring. Other fibers can be combined with llama fiber--wool(sheep), mohair, cashmere, silk, cotton, etc.--to enhance the qualities of both.

Llama fiber is being used in many products today--shawls, sweaters, socks, etc; felt hats, jackets, vests, art objects; rugs; wall hangings; blankets and quilts; and more to come.

There are many websites and several e-mail chat lines that explore the world of fibers and llama fibers. Here are ones that I have come across and enjoy.

E-mail groups:

Felters-- Pat Spark is the leader of this email group. To join-- email to majordomo@maillist.peak.org and in the BODY of the message write: subscribe. Do not put it in the subject area.

Here are some interesting sites: http://www.sarah-lawrence.com; http://www.geocities.com/yurtboutique
http://www.jiffysite.com/felthats; http://www.outbackfibers.com; http://www.Art-Agent.com search under fiber; http://www.fiberfanatics.com

Several mills and mini-mills to process fiber:

http://www.exoticfibersofcanada.com will make yarn and socks

http://www.customwoolenmills.com will make socks, comforters, etc

http://fibermill.yurtboutique.com batts and roving

Spinners might check out http://www.CyberFyber.com and http://www.ashford.co.nz/