Attendees: Christine Perala Gardiner, Donna Rudd, Sue Simonton, Holli Cox, Liz Vahlkamp, Eric Morti
The meeting began at 7:03 P.M. Eastern Time
The committee discussed the fiber sorting seminars in detail. Per the previous meeting, Donna Rudd has put together an outline for the seminar that we all approved. We discussed having each committee member host a seminar, with a presenter from near their farm. Donna Rudd is going to present for Sue and Christine, Liz is going to have Ann Mayes present, we will approach Mary Lou Clingan to present at Holli’s house, and we will discuss with Claudia to see who she might want to have present in Maine. Christine will prepare a shearing presentation with photos that we can each use as part of the demonstration. Donna will put together a budget for her travel expenses and Liz will prepare a full budget to present to the SN Board. We will charge attendees some amount of money to attend, but the cost is to be kept to a minimum to encourage people to attend. It was not decided if we would host these before or after shearing season. We will decide that once we have approval from the Board. The purpose of the seminar will be to educate breeders on not only fiber preparation, but also to further the attendees’ breeding goals.
Liz announced that Peggy Broz is resigning from the SNPDC. Peggy is selling her farm in full and expects to be fully out of the “alpaca business” by year end 2008, so it was understandable that she is removing herself from the committee.
Holli gave an update on the blog. It is now current, and it was agreed that once these minutes are posted, we will send out a reminder to the membership to check out the blog and see what we are doing!
Liz updated everyone briefly on the conversations she has had with AFCNA, NEAFP, and NAAFP. Just introductory calls, but they each seemed to like what we are doing to educate the membership. Each asked to be kept up to date with news articles and events that we present. Liz asked the committee members to consider how can efficiently reach these people going forward as well as the mill processors. We will discuss further at the January meeting.
The committee discussed fiber needs for 2009 and the possibility of purchasing raw fiber from one of the co-ops. This fiber would come graded and clean, thereby giving us greater control over the end product. The fiber would be used for roving with the fiber festivals and yarn for the pattern designs. It was agreed that this was a good idea and that we should pursue looking at the cost. Liz already has done this with AFCNA and will do so with NEAFP and NAAFP as well.
Claudia updated us prior to the meeting about the UN’s designation of 2009 as The International Year of Natural Fiber. She attended the meeting in New York and expects that the committee for that initiative will come back to us with a plan of how they intend to promote the designation in 2009, and what the cost would be to us. She expects to know more in 2009.
The meeting adjourned at 8:45 P.M. Eastern
Friday, December 26, 2008
Monday, December 15, 2008
Why knit with Suri yarn by Sue Simoton
Why knit with suri yarn? What can I expect?
Fine suri yarn is a beautiful lustrous yarn, warmer than wool, somewhere between cashmere in its softness and silk in its drape and luster. It takes color as beautifully as kid mohair. Lovely to work with, it slips easily through the knitter’s or spinner’s hands.
What are the properties of suri yarn?
Suri yarn’s drape and weight make it perfect for lace, scarves, shawls, vests, jackets and sweaters that are designed to drape rather than cling. Suri is 20% warmer than wool, so fine and open work garments are warm. While it is not as resilient as wool it is more resilient than silk, cotton or bamboo. Suri blocks and holds its shape nicely if it is not made of heavy yarn and not knit loosely.
What does “fine” mean?Fibers are classed by micron. British cashmere is < 19 microns. Vicuna <14 microns. Alpaca, including suri, includes a wide range of fineness and is classed accordingly. Canadians sort with six grades: G1 <20 microns (µ), G2 20 -22.9 µ, G3 23-25.9µ, G4 26-28.9µ. G5 29-32µ, G6 32.1-35µ. Currently U.S. growers are working on a classing system. The fibers’ micron grade will help determine how the yarn is best used as well as its price. Fine suri can be worn next to the skin — coarser fiber can be used for outer wear, rugs or felting.
How do I use my fine suri yarn? How do I find patterns?
Suri — fine, lustrous, sound, consistent in handle and staple length is a luxury fiber. It is soft and so it can be worn next to the skin. Yarn of this fineness is ideally suited to beautiful shawls and scarves but also lace sweaters, christening bonnets and dresses, and wedding veils.
Whether spun in a fine lace weight (250 yds/oz) or a light fingering (75 – 100 yds.oz) it should adapt easily to patterns for such garments. Attention to needle size is important. Generally, go down a needle size or two from a pattern created for wool. Always check gauge!
Patterns for silk and fine cotton and some of the newer fibers should behave much the same as suri as they do not have the elasticity of wool. Patterns for huacaya fall somewhere in between — not as elastic as wool, not as silky as suri or silk. So again, check the gauge.
Fine suri can also be blended with silk, merino, cormo or cashmere — each giving a slightly different yarn.
What do I do with my stronger (coarser) yarns?
Heavier garments of stronger (coarser) fiber do not work well when made of pure suri. A lovely drape in a finer yarn becomes a weighty drag unless great care is taken to knit very firmly. Pure suri in the heavier weights of yarn, worsted and bulky, becomes rather like string. Suri can be blended with wool, preferably a wool of similar staple length and micron count and one with some luster. This makes the yarn lighter, more resilient, suitable for outerwear. Patterns for this weight are most likely to be for wool so checking gauge and needle size is important.
What needles should I choose?
For knitting suri yarn smooth wooden or bamboo needles are good; for lace projects addi lace needles are wonderful. As suri is a slippery yarn, the addi needles have just enough drag to hold the yarn on the needle and are still fast. Both feel good in your hands and hold this soft yarn better than most metal. The size needle can very according to the project. The finer the needle the more stable the finished piece.
Sue Simonton
Little Gidding Farm Suri Alpacas
Fine suri yarn is a beautiful lustrous yarn, warmer than wool, somewhere between cashmere in its softness and silk in its drape and luster. It takes color as beautifully as kid mohair. Lovely to work with, it slips easily through the knitter’s or spinner’s hands.
What are the properties of suri yarn?
Suri yarn’s drape and weight make it perfect for lace, scarves, shawls, vests, jackets and sweaters that are designed to drape rather than cling. Suri is 20% warmer than wool, so fine and open work garments are warm. While it is not as resilient as wool it is more resilient than silk, cotton or bamboo. Suri blocks and holds its shape nicely if it is not made of heavy yarn and not knit loosely.
What does “fine” mean?Fibers are classed by micron. British cashmere is < 19 microns. Vicuna <14 microns. Alpaca, including suri, includes a wide range of fineness and is classed accordingly. Canadians sort with six grades: G1 <20 microns (µ), G2 20 -22.9 µ, G3 23-25.9µ, G4 26-28.9µ. G5 29-32µ, G6 32.1-35µ. Currently U.S. growers are working on a classing system. The fibers’ micron grade will help determine how the yarn is best used as well as its price. Fine suri can be worn next to the skin — coarser fiber can be used for outer wear, rugs or felting.
How do I use my fine suri yarn? How do I find patterns?
Suri — fine, lustrous, sound, consistent in handle and staple length is a luxury fiber. It is soft and so it can be worn next to the skin. Yarn of this fineness is ideally suited to beautiful shawls and scarves but also lace sweaters, christening bonnets and dresses, and wedding veils.
Whether spun in a fine lace weight (250 yds/oz) or a light fingering (75 – 100 yds.oz) it should adapt easily to patterns for such garments. Attention to needle size is important. Generally, go down a needle size or two from a pattern created for wool. Always check gauge!
Patterns for silk and fine cotton and some of the newer fibers should behave much the same as suri as they do not have the elasticity of wool. Patterns for huacaya fall somewhere in between — not as elastic as wool, not as silky as suri or silk. So again, check the gauge.
Fine suri can also be blended with silk, merino, cormo or cashmere — each giving a slightly different yarn.
What do I do with my stronger (coarser) yarns?
Heavier garments of stronger (coarser) fiber do not work well when made of pure suri. A lovely drape in a finer yarn becomes a weighty drag unless great care is taken to knit very firmly. Pure suri in the heavier weights of yarn, worsted and bulky, becomes rather like string. Suri can be blended with wool, preferably a wool of similar staple length and micron count and one with some luster. This makes the yarn lighter, more resilient, suitable for outerwear. Patterns for this weight are most likely to be for wool so checking gauge and needle size is important.
What needles should I choose?
For knitting suri yarn smooth wooden or bamboo needles are good; for lace projects addi lace needles are wonderful. As suri is a slippery yarn, the addi needles have just enough drag to hold the yarn on the needle and are still fast. Both feel good in your hands and hold this soft yarn better than most metal. The size needle can very according to the project. The finer the needle the more stable the finished piece.
Sue Simonton
Little Gidding Farm Suri Alpacas
November 17, 2008 SNPDCmeeting notes
Attendees: Liz Vahlkamp LV, Christine Perala Gardiner CPG, Donna Rudd DR, and Sue Simonton SS
Hat “chain letter” contains a knitted Hat Pattern made of suri yarn, made and sent by Sue S – very lovely hat!! This is being sent to each of the SNPDC members to get an idea of the patterns we are starting to offer.
Discussion of 3 ply yarn; stronger than 2. Hat yarn is 3 ply sport wt, pure suri. If fiber is long it can be spun finer. Handspun is usually 2 ply.
DR: Older European ladies spin 3 ply; learned as children
SS: 3 ply hand spun is special; 2 ply often fine for weaving. 3 ply into socks in suri would not stand up on the leg.
Five topics are to be covered tonight:
1) SS asked for update on online library initiative which LV gave: SS and DR completed their list of articles they wanted to have posted on the library site. They sent them to LV, who talked to Marsha at SN Office - SN BOD gave approval to work on webpage for SN Library. SN will send legal form to authors for approval. SN magazine articles will be posted also. Research articles will be listed, posted. LV called Bill Vonderhaar on Research Committee. “Research” includes papers from Australia, Canada, other suri breeders, producers and processors like Tillman luster study; Proctor & Gamble study on luster analysis. The articles put together by SS and DR are largely research papers, so the thought is that the Research Committee may want to keep these up to date going forward. LV owes Bill another call on this and will complete that by the next SNPDC meeting.
2) SS needs fine suri yarns to use for pattern prototypes. CPG offered to send her 1 skein of her suri-silk blend 2 ply lace wt, for SS to knit into hat or scarf.
LV asked if we know suri people in our area who have fine yarns and produce specifically for the knitting community. If so, we need to ask them to donate some skeins. Apparently few suri breeders produce yarns for retail sale with a clear knowledge of knitting, so might be a challenge to find donors. LV contacted Long Hollow Alpacas, part owners in New Era Fiber Mill as well as Sweetbriar Suri Alpacas, and Mystic Springs Ranch. DR offered to send some as well. Each is going to send some skeins. LV has already tapped Wild Rose Suri Ranch, Alpaca Jacks, and Ameripaca for yarns earlier for the F2F program, so trying to work with some new farms on this latest project.
DR asked that SS start a sample or log book, saving yarn samples, regardless of quality, so that we can start to get a better idea of the quality of yarn being produced, areas of education for processors and farms that might arise out of this information, etc. All SNPDC attendees thought this was a good idea, so SS is going to do this going forward.
3) LV: RE Canadian & Australian Fiber Harvesting Manuals. It was confirmed that all on the phone had read the two manuals, and it was agreed by all that the US needs a similar manual. LV recommended that we approach AOBA & the 3 co-ops to organize a task force to arrange the US Alpaca Fiber Manual. There was discussion around this as there was concern that with so many different interests on the “task force” the process might be slow or it might get buried in bureaucracy. The thought was that our group is generally fast and active and could get something done quickly. However, LV indicated that she thought it would be important to include all alpaca “factions” in this project as it is something that impacts the whole industry, and there is little difference in preparation between suri and huacaya, so no need for two separate manuals. It was agreed by all that we would try this route first, and if some or all did not want to participate that we would move forward anyway and come back to those groups with the final product, letting them know that we would be happy to work with them when they were ready.
4) Further discussion from last meeting re: seminars for sorting. The goal is not to teach people to be ‘certified sorters” but about sorting/ classing – what it is and how it can impact their breeding programs. It was generally determined that several seminars across the US would be worthwhile. Ideas for venues included show locations (ruled out due to being too stressful), SNPDC member farms, which might be a possibility, or “hooking up” with our regional AOBA affiliates to do a broader training session. It was decided that as head of the processing initiative, DR will draw up a course or seminar outline in draft form. She will send it around for our contributions. SS has held one of these on her farm, so she will send DR her course outline for a starting foundation.
5) Update on other initiatives:
A) Organic Fiber Standards - CPG is beginning to research various organic programs. There is no official organic standard yet for protein fibers by the USDA. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the lead US agent for collaboration at the international level. Several nations are currently collaborating as the International Working Group on the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). We could contact the IWG on GOTS via a letter to raise the profile of alpaca as an international textile; it seems currently not to be listed among the fibers under consideration. If the SN Board approves of taking this initiative forward, CPG will draft a letter and send to Liz for review.
B) DR wanted to know what happened to processor survey. LV explained that PB was supposed to contact each of the processors and co-ops first to see if they would want to start receiving information from us that we are sending out to membership. The idea is to bring them up to speed with what we are doing and then give them the survey. So, for now the survey is on hold, but will go out at some point as it has lots of good questions. PB needs to get back with LV on her success in reaching the processors.
C) HC is going to post several items to the blog in the near future. LV will contact her for status.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 Eastern Time.
Hat “chain letter” contains a knitted Hat Pattern made of suri yarn, made and sent by Sue S – very lovely hat!! This is being sent to each of the SNPDC members to get an idea of the patterns we are starting to offer.
Discussion of 3 ply yarn; stronger than 2. Hat yarn is 3 ply sport wt, pure suri. If fiber is long it can be spun finer. Handspun is usually 2 ply.
DR: Older European ladies spin 3 ply; learned as children
SS: 3 ply hand spun is special; 2 ply often fine for weaving. 3 ply into socks in suri would not stand up on the leg.
Five topics are to be covered tonight:
1) SS asked for update on online library initiative which LV gave: SS and DR completed their list of articles they wanted to have posted on the library site. They sent them to LV, who talked to Marsha at SN Office - SN BOD gave approval to work on webpage for SN Library. SN will send legal form to authors for approval. SN magazine articles will be posted also. Research articles will be listed, posted. LV called Bill Vonderhaar on Research Committee. “Research” includes papers from Australia, Canada, other suri breeders, producers and processors like Tillman luster study; Proctor & Gamble study on luster analysis. The articles put together by SS and DR are largely research papers, so the thought is that the Research Committee may want to keep these up to date going forward. LV owes Bill another call on this and will complete that by the next SNPDC meeting.
2) SS needs fine suri yarns to use for pattern prototypes. CPG offered to send her 1 skein of her suri-silk blend 2 ply lace wt, for SS to knit into hat or scarf.
LV asked if we know suri people in our area who have fine yarns and produce specifically for the knitting community. If so, we need to ask them to donate some skeins. Apparently few suri breeders produce yarns for retail sale with a clear knowledge of knitting, so might be a challenge to find donors. LV contacted Long Hollow Alpacas, part owners in New Era Fiber Mill as well as Sweetbriar Suri Alpacas, and Mystic Springs Ranch. DR offered to send some as well. Each is going to send some skeins. LV has already tapped Wild Rose Suri Ranch, Alpaca Jacks, and Ameripaca for yarns earlier for the F2F program, so trying to work with some new farms on this latest project.
DR asked that SS start a sample or log book, saving yarn samples, regardless of quality, so that we can start to get a better idea of the quality of yarn being produced, areas of education for processors and farms that might arise out of this information, etc. All SNPDC attendees thought this was a good idea, so SS is going to do this going forward.
3) LV: RE Canadian & Australian Fiber Harvesting Manuals. It was confirmed that all on the phone had read the two manuals, and it was agreed by all that the US needs a similar manual. LV recommended that we approach AOBA & the 3 co-ops to organize a task force to arrange the US Alpaca Fiber Manual. There was discussion around this as there was concern that with so many different interests on the “task force” the process might be slow or it might get buried in bureaucracy. The thought was that our group is generally fast and active and could get something done quickly. However, LV indicated that she thought it would be important to include all alpaca “factions” in this project as it is something that impacts the whole industry, and there is little difference in preparation between suri and huacaya, so no need for two separate manuals. It was agreed by all that we would try this route first, and if some or all did not want to participate that we would move forward anyway and come back to those groups with the final product, letting them know that we would be happy to work with them when they were ready.
4) Further discussion from last meeting re: seminars for sorting. The goal is not to teach people to be ‘certified sorters” but about sorting/ classing – what it is and how it can impact their breeding programs. It was generally determined that several seminars across the US would be worthwhile. Ideas for venues included show locations (ruled out due to being too stressful), SNPDC member farms, which might be a possibility, or “hooking up” with our regional AOBA affiliates to do a broader training session. It was decided that as head of the processing initiative, DR will draw up a course or seminar outline in draft form. She will send it around for our contributions. SS has held one of these on her farm, so she will send DR her course outline for a starting foundation.
5) Update on other initiatives:
A) Organic Fiber Standards - CPG is beginning to research various organic programs. There is no official organic standard yet for protein fibers by the USDA. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is the lead US agent for collaboration at the international level. Several nations are currently collaborating as the International Working Group on the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). We could contact the IWG on GOTS via a letter to raise the profile of alpaca as an international textile; it seems currently not to be listed among the fibers under consideration. If the SN Board approves of taking this initiative forward, CPG will draft a letter and send to Liz for review.
B) DR wanted to know what happened to processor survey. LV explained that PB was supposed to contact each of the processors and co-ops first to see if they would want to start receiving information from us that we are sending out to membership. The idea is to bring them up to speed with what we are doing and then give them the survey. So, for now the survey is on hold, but will go out at some point as it has lots of good questions. PB needs to get back with LV on her success in reaching the processors.
C) HC is going to post several items to the blog in the near future. LV will contact her for status.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:00 Eastern Time.
Soar and Rhineback notes by Eric Morti
Trip Report ~ SOAR 2008
SOAR (Spin-Off’s Autumn Retreat) is an annual retreat held each year in mid to late October for members of the hand-spinning community. Attendance averages around 250 participants. The retreat consists of intensive three-day workshops, a one-day break, and two days of half-day mini-workshops. There is a vendors’ market in addition to the workshops, the opening of which coincides with the one-day break. The retreat is held in a different region of the country each year. This year it was at Pocono Manor, PA in southeastern Pennsylvania. Next year it will be held in Bend, OR.
To spread the word about suri fiber to the hand-spinning community, members of the product development committee collected fiber which was processed into roving, prepared sample bags to be given to each SOAR participant, created an education exhibit, and recruited hand-spinners, Judith McKenzie McCuin and Wini LeBreque, to demonstrate and assist the participants in spinning suri fiber. Roving and a portion of raw fleece were also donated to Judith McKenzie McCuin, one of the mentors, for use in her mini-workshops on blending silk with other natural fibers. Judith is an internationally known fiber artist and Wini is head of the PAOBA fiber committee and quite knowledgeable in her own right.
Even before the workshops started people were asking me if we had brought fiber to sell. After placing the sample bags at each place setting for the Monday evening meal, the question was even more persistent. Everyone was very appreciative of the sample and impressed with the fiber. Many people had spun the sample into yarn before the end of the week. The roving and fleece that we gave to Judith for her silk blending sessions were a huge hit. Those sessions, along with the sample bags of roving, were our best outreach tools. Unfortunately, we can’t expect the silk blending mini-workshops to be offered every year.
The vendors’ market is one of the high points of the retreat. The educational exhibit and spinning demonstration area was located just outside the entrance to the market so we got a lot of traffic, both participants and the general public. SAM was positioned so that he was the first thing people saw as they approached the market and he made quite an impression. In the exhibit we had samples of raw fleece, roving, yarns, and finished products such as socks, scarves, and a rug. Touching was encouraged and everyone who indulged was impressed with the fiber in all its forms. While Judith and Wini did not draw huge crowds at any one time, when the market was open there were usually a handful of people at the booth, asking questions or sitting at the wheels trying their hand. Wini had her laptop and we were able to help several people locate farms in their area.
The weekend after SOAR was the New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, New York. Nina and I stayed over and met up with Ken and Claudia Raessler, handing the hardware for the educational exhibit over to them at the end of the festival. Rhinebeck is an institution in the region and is similar in scope to other regional fiber festivals such as the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, Black Sheep Gathering (in the Northwest), and the Estes Park and Taos Wool Markets. Alpacas in general and suris in particular are just one small facet of these events.
The general public represents a huge fraction of the attendance, approximately 30,000 people over the two-day festival. Our educational booth was in the barn with llamas and alpacas. Ken and Claudia brought three of their animals, who stayed in the pen next to the educational booth. The animals were a major attraction, causing a lot of people to stop that might not have otherwise. As at SOAR, there was someone spinning in the booth whenever the festival was open. The committee, particularly Claudia and Anne Mayes, did an excellent job of coordinating that effort.
Since the general public was a larger percentage of the audience, education played a bigger role in the function of the booth at Rhinebeck. Our primary goals at these two events were to let people know that there are two breeds of alpaca with different fiber characteristics and uses and to encourage them to find and visit suri breeders in their area. I think we did well with the first goal and only time will tell how we did with the second
SOAR (Spin-Off’s Autumn Retreat) is an annual retreat held each year in mid to late October for members of the hand-spinning community. Attendance averages around 250 participants. The retreat consists of intensive three-day workshops, a one-day break, and two days of half-day mini-workshops. There is a vendors’ market in addition to the workshops, the opening of which coincides with the one-day break. The retreat is held in a different region of the country each year. This year it was at Pocono Manor, PA in southeastern Pennsylvania. Next year it will be held in Bend, OR.
To spread the word about suri fiber to the hand-spinning community, members of the product development committee collected fiber which was processed into roving, prepared sample bags to be given to each SOAR participant, created an education exhibit, and recruited hand-spinners, Judith McKenzie McCuin and Wini LeBreque, to demonstrate and assist the participants in spinning suri fiber. Roving and a portion of raw fleece were also donated to Judith McKenzie McCuin, one of the mentors, for use in her mini-workshops on blending silk with other natural fibers. Judith is an internationally known fiber artist and Wini is head of the PAOBA fiber committee and quite knowledgeable in her own right.
Even before the workshops started people were asking me if we had brought fiber to sell. After placing the sample bags at each place setting for the Monday evening meal, the question was even more persistent. Everyone was very appreciative of the sample and impressed with the fiber. Many people had spun the sample into yarn before the end of the week. The roving and fleece that we gave to Judith for her silk blending sessions were a huge hit. Those sessions, along with the sample bags of roving, were our best outreach tools. Unfortunately, we can’t expect the silk blending mini-workshops to be offered every year.
The vendors’ market is one of the high points of the retreat. The educational exhibit and spinning demonstration area was located just outside the entrance to the market so we got a lot of traffic, both participants and the general public. SAM was positioned so that he was the first thing people saw as they approached the market and he made quite an impression. In the exhibit we had samples of raw fleece, roving, yarns, and finished products such as socks, scarves, and a rug. Touching was encouraged and everyone who indulged was impressed with the fiber in all its forms. While Judith and Wini did not draw huge crowds at any one time, when the market was open there were usually a handful of people at the booth, asking questions or sitting at the wheels trying their hand. Wini had her laptop and we were able to help several people locate farms in their area.
The weekend after SOAR was the New York Sheep and Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, New York. Nina and I stayed over and met up with Ken and Claudia Raessler, handing the hardware for the educational exhibit over to them at the end of the festival. Rhinebeck is an institution in the region and is similar in scope to other regional fiber festivals such as the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival, Black Sheep Gathering (in the Northwest), and the Estes Park and Taos Wool Markets. Alpacas in general and suris in particular are just one small facet of these events.
The general public represents a huge fraction of the attendance, approximately 30,000 people over the two-day festival. Our educational booth was in the barn with llamas and alpacas. Ken and Claudia brought three of their animals, who stayed in the pen next to the educational booth. The animals were a major attraction, causing a lot of people to stop that might not have otherwise. As at SOAR, there was someone spinning in the booth whenever the festival was open. The committee, particularly Claudia and Anne Mayes, did an excellent job of coordinating that effort.
Since the general public was a larger percentage of the audience, education played a bigger role in the function of the booth at Rhinebeck. Our primary goals at these two events were to let people know that there are two breeds of alpaca with different fiber characteristics and uses and to encourage them to find and visit suri breeders in their area. I think we did well with the first goal and only time will tell how we did with the second
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