Felting and weaving are wonderful ways to use every part of an alpaca fleece — including the seconds and thirds that aren’t fine enough for knitwear. Fiber-arts festivals and weaving workshops have long been part of alpaca farm life.
Does alpaca felt?
Yes, but differently from wool. Alpaca has fewer surface scales than many sheep breeds, so it felts more slowly. Tips:
- Huacaya felts better than suri.
- Finer, crimpier fiber felts faster than coarse fiber.
- Blending in 20–30% wool (e.g., merino) speeds felting and makes firmer felt.
Wet felting
- Lay thin, even layers of carded fiber, each at right angles to the last.
- Wet with hot, soapy water and cover with netting.
- Rub gently, increasing pressure as fibers start to cling.
- Roll the piece in a bamboo mat 50–100 times in each direction.
- Full (shrink and harden) by throwing it onto a surface or rubbing vigorously.
- Rinse in alternating hot and cold water, shape and dry.
Great projects: soap covers, seat pads, slippers, vessels, wall hangings.
Needle felting
A barbed felting needle tangles fibers dry. Alpaca’s soft texture is perfect for small sculptures — including, of course, tiny alpacas. Use coarser fiber for the core and fine fiber for the surface.
Weaving with alpaca
- Warp: alpaca’s low elasticity makes it fine for weft; for warp choose a well-plied, strong alpaca or an alpaca-wool blend.
- Weft: soft single or plied alpaca creates beautiful drape and warmth.
- Continuous-strand weaving on triangle, square and rectangle frame looms is a fast, beginner-friendly method for shawls and wraps — ideal for showcasing natural alpaca colors.
- Rigid-heddle looms suit scarves and blankets; floor looms suit yardage.
- Wash woven pieces gently afterward to bloom the fibers.
Using every grade
| Grade | Felting & weaving uses |
|---|---|
| Blanket | Fine scarves, shawls, nuno felting with silk |
| Seconds | Rug weft, felt slippers, vessels |
| Thirds | Felted insoles, dryer balls, rug cores, mulch |
Frequently asked questions
Is alpaca good for felting? Yes, especially huacaya — it felts more slowly than wool, so blending helps.
Can you weave with alpaca yarn? Absolutely; it’s prized for drape and warmth. Choose sturdier plied yarn for warp.
Keep reading
This page is educational and does not replace advice from a veterinarian who has examined your animals. Camelid medicine uses many drugs “extra-label”, so dosing must come from your vet. In an emergency, call your vet first. Read our disclaimer · How we write and review content.