Felting Alpaca Fiber

Felting Alpaca fiber can be done in several different ways. Alpaca felts quickly and is very soft. It is the perfect project for your secondary fleece.

Felting fibers is easy to learn and requires very little supplies. You are in control of the look and feel of your project when felting. A project can be lightly felted or heavily felted.

Because of the qualities of Alpaca fleece your project will turn out lighter, warmer, and softer than sheep's wool. You will need to card your fleece before you begin felting.

There is no need to wash your Alpaca fleece before your felt. But some people do prefer to wash the fleece if they plan to strictly dry felt. You may need to hand dye some of the fleece for your project as natural fiber does not come in bright colors such as purple or green.

Dry Felting

Dry felting requires you to pierce the needles through the fiber and backing material into a piece of foam. When you withdraw the needle the fibers are left in place.

When felting Alpaca fiber the purpose of the foam is to receive the needle and prevent you from breaking needles on your work surface or needling into your lap. Backing fabric provides a surface for your fiber to attach.

There are many patterns for felting in book stores and on line. Dry felting makes wonderful stuffed animals and figurines. Once you get a feel for needle felting the projects are endless. It is possible to make a good income from home selling your craft.

Whole fabrics are made by commercial or laminate felting. The backing is commonly a silk chiffon. This makes a warm, light fabric that will stretch where needed. This type of felted material usually sells for $50.00 per yard.

Wet Felting

The item is first made by knitting, crocheting or weaving. It is made larger than the end product design. The piece is then washed with warm soapy water and lots of agiation. A metal grate may be used to agitate the fiber.

After washing and agitating the piece it is rolled into a towel to take the majority of the moisture out. It is then laid out flat to dry. It can be blocked and shaped at this time.

It is possible to wash/agitate your felting project in the washing machine on a gentle cycle. Be very careful in doing this as there may be more shrinkage than you want.

Repeat the washing and agitation until the desired amount of felting is reached. During the process of felting the fibers are pulled closely together to create a solid feeling or look. No backing fabric is required.

When I weave a shawl I usually take the extra time to lightly felt my project before I consider it complete. This adds an extra softness that is unbeatable.

Felting Alpaca fiber is fun. Many projects can be dry felted and then wet felted for extra strength and softness. There is no limit to what you can create when you become familiar with the process of felting.

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