FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS

Q: Where do I send the fiber?
A:  Alpaca Blanket Project
10868 Siegmund Rd SE
Stayton, OR  97383

Q:  How much fiber donated is enough for a blanket?
Q:  Can we get back our own fleece in a blanket?
A:  The Alpaca Blanket Project schedule is currently based on the color and grade of fiber of the
American Alpacas.  Fiber will be sorted by length, color and grade.  For a run of blankets (throws),
the mill requires at least two sorts of a miimum of 500 pounds each of fiber in the same grade, but
different colors.  For example, if the sort is for 20 colors and five grades, there would be 100 different
sorts (boxes).  Each color/grade sort will be in a different box.  In this example, there might be 5
boxes with 20-30 pounds each, and 8 of 30-50 pounds each, and so on by the time two boxes of the
same grade in different colors reach the amount required by Pendleton.  On the average, for each
800-1,000 pounds in, the next two boxes (of the same grade in different colors) will be filled and
ready for the next run.  Certain colors and grades will fill more slowly and some more quickly.  
Individually, each blanket will take approximately 2.5-3.0 pounds of fiber.  Because of the volume
requirements, we cannot have a run made from individual alpaca made into blankets, but each will
be sorted into boxes that have the same color and grade (micron count).

Q: What is the anticipated wholesale cost of an alpaca throw produced by Pendleton
Woolen Mills?
A: Alpaca throws will be available to those who donate fiber for production cost +3%.  

Q:  Will Pendleton Woolen Mills manufacture other alpaca products?
A:  At this time they are not set up to manufacture other alpaca goods.  The have agreed to work with
the Alpaca Blanket Project to use the woolen process to make throws only.  We do carry scarves
made from the throw "seconds" (cosmetically flawed).  These do not carry the Pendleton label but
do carry the Alpaca Blanket label.

Q:  Will I be able to purchase a blanket at cost plus 3%?
A:  Only active Members will be able to purchase blankets.  If the number of blankets produced is
less than the requested amount by those that have donated fiber, those with the larger donations
will have the first option to purchase more.

Q: What type of fiber can be used?
A: We are accepting fiber from both Suri and Huacaya.  The lower the micron the better, from the
blanket and good seconds.  We cannot use grade 6 (above 31 micron) at this time.  Fiber needs to be
at least 2 inches long and preferably not longer than 5 inches.   Anything longer than 5 inches
cannot be used.

Q: Will the throws be natural colors, or dyed?
A: To keep the costs down, the initial blankets will be in natural colors.  As we progress into later
runs, we may decide to try dyed colors, but why?  Alpaca has such beautiful natural colors!  

Q:  Will the blankets be woven or felted?
A:  The blankets will be woven.

Q:  What is the size of the blankets?
A:  They measure approximately 53" x 70".

Q: Is this a co-op? What is the fee for joining?
A: There is no fee for joining the Alpaca Blanket Project. This is not a co-op, but a networking of
contributors with the intent toward a specific marketable product. New members are asked for an
initial one-time submission of 100 lbs of fiber.  Depending on usability, some of this may be paid for
by the ABP.

Q:  Other than being able to purchase blankets at cost & 3%, are there any other benefits
to my donating fleece?
A:  Of course, receiving payment for fiber is the biggest benefit!  But we also offer sorting information
on fiber that is submitted as well as sorting/grading classes.

Q: Who will sort the fiber for sending to Pendleton Woolen Mills?
A:  To date all of the sorting and grading have been done by the owners and operators of ABP, Peter
& Carol Lundberg.  They received some of their training from Ruth Elvestad from Olds College.   
Anyone who is trying to get their certification requirement for sorting/grading after attending classes
at Olds College or in Colorado are welcome to put in their hours here to meet that requirement.  
Pendleton will do the washing, carding, spinning and weaving.

Q:  I have some fiber that is a couple of years old.  Will you be able to use it for the
Project?
A:  Take a sample about as big around as a pencil and pull one each end with the fiber next to your
ear.  If crackles LOUDLY or breaks, the fiber is brittle and not usable.  Otherwise, it should be fine.  
Remember, all fiber will crackle somewhat, but we're talking LOUD, Rice Krispies-type crackle.  

Q:  How will the fiber be sorted in order to have a favorable hand?
A:  We will be doing the bulk of the sorting and grading.  We will be sorting into the various colors
and grades.  It is more the difference in fiber (or lack thereof) that makes the product feel softer than
the micron count.  A wide span of micron count of fine fiber (say, 16-24 micron - a span of 9 micron)
will not have as good a hand as 24-26 micron (a span of 3 micron).   However, since the fiber is being
sorted into grades, the grade of fiber will also make a difference in the feel.

Q: Do you pay for fiber sent to the Alpaca Blanket Project?
A: We will pay active members for their usable fiber beginning the 2009-10 fiber season.  Though it is
not the amount we initially had hoped, we are able to begin this part of our program a year earlier
than anticipated.  We are anticipating that, once we establish a contract with an exclusive retailer for
the blankets, we will be able to increase the rate closer to what we had originally planned.  

Q: How much fiber have you collected so far?
A:  As of October  2009, we have received around 18,000 pounds of fiber, of which about 40% has
been usable for the project.  The biggest problem?  Second cuts, with length being the
second-largest problem.  It is our goal to push education in the coming months:  Education on what
is necessary to improve the value of fiber, what is required for commercial processing, what our
shearers need to know, etc.  For so many years fiber took a back seat to the value of the alpaca, with
the focus being on show.  Now, with the advent of an American commercial fiber industry, we as
growers need to look at alpaca fiber the way the Australians and Peruvians do--as a valuable
commodity to be used in more than just cottage or fiber arts industries.  

Q: What if we want to donate a large amount of fiber? Mailing it can be pricey.
A:  We continue to work on developing avenues to transport fiber from across the US to our farm.  If
you have any ideas on this, please contact us-we would greatly appreciate the help!

Q:  What method of shipping should I use?
A:  Due to the weight vs. volume of alpaca fiber, the cost is usually based on the volume of the boxes
rather than weight.  Removing as much air as possible should reduce this cost.  For large
shipments, you might try Freight Center or another of the shipping help sites.  You put in your
information and they look through many shipping companies and find the best deal on shipping.  
Recently, in comparing prices at USPS, UPS and FedEx, the cheapest carrier (with a few exceptions)
has been USPS.  They offer flat rate boxes that ship for a minimum of about $10, and you can stuff
quite a bit in those boxes.  We use the flat rate boxes to send care packages to our sons who are in
the Army overseas, and believe me I've stuffed a LOT into those boxes and they hold up quite well!

Q:  Is there transportation available to transport my fiber to the Alpaca Blanket Project?
A:  We are working on various methods of more economically transporting fiber to the project.  We
do currently have transportation available in the Pacific Northwest (See "Fiber Pickup" tab in our
menu bar), with a few regional collection sites.  We are currently working with a local trucking
company to expand to the rest of the U.S.

Q:  What information should I include with the fiber?
A:  We have begun a new fiber information system which will let you track the progress of your fiber,
which will be useful in your breeding program, as well as to predict how much usable fiber you will
be credited for at the end of the year.  (Click HERE for info on how to use the Fiber Information
System.)  We have received a number of blankets that have taken ribbons in shows; the show card
sent with them has been very helpful.  Copies of recent histograms are also a great help.  Thanks!

Q:  When can I send fiber?
A:  Any time!  The Alpaca Blanket Project will continue to need fiber for subsequent runs.  We will
continue to clean, skirt, sort and grade as fiber is received.  It is easier for us to work on it during the
winter months prior to spring when the new clip comes in, but we'll take it whenever you can get it to
us.  

Q:  I am a couple hours away from your farm.  May I help with the project?
A:  We will be teaching several classes a year for fiber sorting and grading.  We would be grateful for
any assistance that you can give us.  

Q: Can I support the Alpaca Blanket Project, even if I don't have fleece to send at this
time?
A:  With your permission, we would like to list your farm as a supporter of the Alpaca Blanket Project
on our website.  Contact us at  AlpacaBlanketProject@yahoo.com if we may use your logo and place
it as a link to your website from the Supporters page. If possible, please add a link to the Alpaca
Blanket Project on your website.  Please spread the word about the project. We can send you a file
with a one-page description of the project, or if necessary, send you fliers to hand out.  We are
attempting to keep costs as low as possible which will help keep the project on schedule.

Q:  Will you link to my website?
A:  We are pleased to be able to list alpaca farms (and logo) on the supporter section of our website.  
Please send us an email with permission.  We are trying really hard to avoid adding expense for
attorney fees and thus will only add supporter information upon receiving written (preferably via
email) permission.  We appreciate your linking your site to the Alpaca Blanket Project.

Q:  Is there anything I can do to help?
A:  Your support and donations of fiber are greatly appreciated and it is exciting to how many boxes
of fiber come in each week.  Your spreading news about the Alpaca Blanket Project is immensely
helpful.  We have a flier available to help.

Q: How can I help to get the word out?
A:  Let others in your farm connections know about the Alpaca Blanket Project - networking is
immensely vital to the condensed time line!

Please let us know if you have more questions.  Also, we are interested in how you heard about the
Alpaca Blanket Project.    Email AlpacaBlanketProject@yahoo.com or call 503-769-9466 or
503-551-5015.

We have also been asked "what is in it for you?"  Not sure yet on that one yet, but penciled out, we
earn about $0.90 per hour.  However, we have gotten tremendous satisfaction in being a part of the
birth of an alpaca fiber industry in this country and having our supporters along with us for the ride!  
We can finally take the fiber that we all know is so unique and have a beautiful product not only
grown but made in the USA!  It's something we can all be proud of!

Thank you everyone for all your support.  The fact that the project is ahead of schedule shows how
much help you have given in fiber, time, interest and support to the project.  The quick success we
are heading for is thanks to you, the alpaca community!

Peter & Carol Lundberg