Argentinean Llama (25 μm)

A Shepherd Textiles exclusive. Llamas are the largest camelid species native to the New World. They are prized as pack animals and also as guardians of sheep and alpaca. Llama fleeces combine a soft downy fiber, similar to alpaca, with a small number of longer guard hairs that give the finished yarn excellent strength and durability. We imported this gorgeous natural roving direct from the mill in southern Argentina, where enormous herds of llama still graze in Patagonia and the pampas. Rather than having it dehaired like other fiber vendors, we asked the mill to leave the dual coat so we could take advantage of llama’s natural texture. We had it independently tested at a fiber laboratory in California to confirm that the average fiber diameter (AFD) is only 25 microns, with a staple length of 6”. Our llama is softer than well-known sheep breeds like Corriedale or Lincoln, but the dual coat makes it warmer and stronger than wool. Llama is also a superlative felting fiber, wet or dry, with very little effort. This gorgeous roving is versatile enough for any project, whether it needs to be soft, durable, or both at the same time.