Frequently Asked Questions (or "Ask the Fiber Lady")
These are real questions that have been asked by our customers and people we've met at alpaca events. There are no dumb questions - someone else is probably wondering the same thing. Thanks for asking, and keep those questions coming!
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What is your turn around time?
- The current estimated time has been moved to the What's New? page. It is always subject to change, depending on demand. If you need a fleece for a special occasion or show, please let us know and we will do our best to get it done quickly.
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Do I get my own fiber back?
- YES! Each fleece or lot that you send us is run separately and you receive your own fiber back (minus dirt, of course).
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How much loss is there?
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Well that depends on how much dirt is in the fleece to start with. But after the dirt is gone, the loss is generally minimal, about 10%. Some is lost in rollers, and second cuts and tender tips can cause slubs (lumps in the yarn) that cause some loss.
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What is your minimum order?
- We will take any size order. Since we do custom work, we can take your small fleeces. We will charge you for 1 pound if your fleece is under that weight.
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Is all fiber processable?
- No, unfortunately. If the fiber is tender (breaks easily), or mostly shorter that 3 inches, we cannot process it.
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What happens to my fiber if you cannot process it?
- It will be sent back to you with an explanation of why we could not process it. We will charge you an Inspection/Handling fee.
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How should I get my fiber ready to send to you?
- You will get back what you send, so skirting is a very good idea so that the debris is gone for the most part.
Also test your fiber for strength by taking a lock in your fingers of both hands, spread it out a bit so you can see the individual strands, and pull. If it breaks easily, it is too tender for us to process and it will be sent back to you.
Is it long enough? 3 inches is the minimum that our machines can handle. Having about 30% short (2.5 inches) in with mostly long is okay.
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Do I need a separate deposit check for each order form?
- No, the forms are just for convenience. If you have more than four lots in an order, please use a separate form for each four lots, but a single deposit for the entire order is fine.
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How can I optimize my shipping cost?
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Shop around: if you have a UPS Store or a Kinkos/FedEx store in your area, you have other options besides the US Postal Service. They all have web sites where you can estimate costs (US Postal Service, UPS, FedEx). When entering our address, be sure to check Residential, as we don't meet the criteria for a Business address. Don't use oversize boxes: there is a penalty for boxes over their "standard" size. It may cost less to ship in two smaller boxes than one large one. Don't pay for fast delivery: there is often only a one or two day difference. Unless you ask for faster service, when returning your yarn we typically use Parcel Post with Delivery Confirmation, UPS Ground, or FedEx Ground. Compact your fleece: many customers suck most of the air out of the plastic bags containing the fleece using a vacuum cleaner with a sock over the nozzle. This can reduce the number of boxes if you have a large order. (Just be sure each bag is clearly labeled so we can match it to your order.)
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Do you send back my yarn in the same bag I send my fleece?
- No, we use a clean bag for your yarn. If we have to return your fleece because it isn't processable, we may use the same bag.
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Can I blend 2 or more fleeces?
- Yes. Our only request is that you let us do it for you. After we have checked each fleece to be sure it will process successfully, then we will blend it.
Please let us know if you want it totally blended or you want a heathery look, or something else.
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If I want you to blend several fleeces together, do I need to use a separate lot on the order form for each fleece?
- It's up to you. You can use a separate lot for each fleece and identify how they will be blended in Special Instructions, OR use one lot for the blend (ex: "White Blend Lace Wt"). However, please use a separate bag for each fleece, clearly labeled with both the fleece and the lot (ex: "Jezebel 04 for White Blend Lace Wt"). The reason for keeping them separate is explained in the previous question.
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Can I have half of a fleece one way and the other half a different way?
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Yes. You can customize your order. If you want only half the fleece spun and the other half in roving, or the halves spun in two different weights, not a problem! Just let us know.
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Do you dye fiber?
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Yes! We can dye your fiber, then process it, giving a blended color. Or, we can dye the skeins of yarn solid or variegated. Let's talk!
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Can you spin fiber that has been dyed?
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Yes! It's the same as undyed fiber, and I do love spinning blues and pinks sometimes.
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Do you do Suri?
- Yes, as long as it is not tender and is at least 3 inches or more in length.
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Do you make bumps?
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No, we give you a fine combed Top / Roving in a coil. Coils are put into bags so they can be moved.
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I had batts (or bumps, or roving) made at another mill and now I want yarn. Can you do this?
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Most of the time, yes. Depending on the batt/bump/roving, it may be able to go directly into the Pin Drafter without being recarded. And of course, the fiber must be long enough and strong enough to begin with.
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Do you do process by color or by customer?
- We run by customer orders. Our machines clean out very quickly, so it is very easy to change colors on each pass through a machine.
If we have more than one order for batts, we will batch those, since we need to put the batt drum on the Carder.
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What do you mean by "tender"?
- Fiber is tender when it breaks easily when under light pressure. (To test for tenderness, see next question.) When fiber is tender, processing it by machine is difficult since the fibers become very short. Sometimes it can be spun by hand where you can be very careful and watchful, but not always.
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How do I test for strength?
- Take part of a lock in your fingers of both hands, spread it out a bit (so it is not thick and you can see the individual strands), and pull with light pressure. If the fiber breaks easily or with little effort, it is tender. If you can pull on it a great deal before it breaks, it is usually good since all fiber will break eventually. Click to see an animated demonstration of the testing technique.
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What makes fiber tender?
- There are several reasons for tender fiber. Fiber can become tender due to stress from shows, moving, or a change in food or water.
Poor nutrition or missing some nutrient can also cause it, or even too much of some nutrient. Illness can be a part of this problem also. In "Alpaca Field Manual" by C. Norman Evans, DVM, he talks about tender fiber and some of its causes.
Just as people have problems with their hair or nails when we are sick, stressed, or experiencing a nutrition imbalance, our alpacas have the same reactions.
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Can you tell if a fleece is tender before you start processing it?
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Most of the times, yes. There are fleeces that should have "no problem" and then break in the carder.
You will always be told why a fleece could not be processed further if it was started.
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Why do you wash the yarn before you send it back? Why is the end use important?
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It shrinks slightly to set the twist. It also slightly "felts" the yarn so it does not untwist. If you are knitting, this is the kind of yarn you are used to using. If you are weaving, you need it to shrink when you finish the woven piece, so we don't wash the yarn when it will be used for weaving.
For more information, contact us at: info@starcastlefarm.com
or call
(541) 396-6416
