How Fine Fibers Began . . .

Having made several trips to the Pacific Northwest to visit friends, we fell in love with the area. Retirement loomed for my husband and as a Registered Nurse finding work was no problem, so 18 years ago we made the move from Illinois to a lovely piece of land overlooking the Columbia River, and found ourselves living in the quiet of the country, rather than the hustle and bustle of a large city.

The next step, having always wanted animals was talking my husband into looking at a llama. Well as any llama breeder will tell you, "you can't have just one, they are herd animals." That was just the beginning. Working as an Oncology RN at the local hospital, I took care of a cancer patient that told me weaving would teach me patience, and another patient that told me spinning would calm the soul, they were both right.

Eventually I learned of other fiber animals; and that lead to alpacas and fiber goats and more yarns ...

Ten years later, what had started as a couple of pets, turned into spinning wheels, weaving looms, more llamas, even more alpacas, angora goats, a new barn, more cross fencing ... well you can only guess the results.

Our animals live in a calm environment, free from stress, and the fiber is treated gently in all phases. The small local fiber mills that wash, card, and spin our fibers, use gentle soaps and equipment. So gentle in fact that you may even find a few pieces of grass in the yarns ...

About 1/2 of our alpaca fiber goes to the North Eastern Alpaca Fiber Pool (NEAFP) for processing.  Our socks, scarves, some hats and yarns, we get back from this Co-Op.  NEAFP collects fleece from North American Alpaca Ranches and works exclusively with U.S. Mills to produce high quality apparel, which is returned to the ranchers for resale at ranch store and other retail venues. Therefore, these products are all American made.

If you want unique natural animal fibers or small lots of dyed fibers you will like our products.  Remember natural fibers wear well, they are warmer, hold off the cold from moisture, and are renewable without danger to the animal.

I am still learning the patience part, but my soul is calmer.