How to Weave Alpaca

An alpaca afghan is easy to make on a simple table loom.

Visitors to the Indian Market in Lima, Peru can find lovely afghans made of alpaca for sale. These soft, colorful throws are so cozy and comforting to curl up in on the sofa. If you're not headed to Lima, however, you can make one yourself out of alpaca yarns, using a rigid heddle loom or a floor loom. Take note that the yarns come in different weights. Choose a relatively fine yarn for a scarf and a heavier one for an afghan.

Things You'll Need

• Alpaca yarn
• Ruler
• Warping board
• Loom
• Shuttles

Instructions

1. Wind your alpaca yarn around a ruler and count the number of wraps per inch. This number, divided by two, is your tabby sett. If you plan a twill threading, add half this amount again to the tabby sett. For example, if the wraps per inch is 24, the tabby sett is 12 and the twill sett is probably closer to 18. Decide on your woven width. This could be anywhere from 36 inches to 45 inches. If your loom is narrow, you can seam two panels together.

2. Multiply your sett by your woven width for the number of warp ends you will wind. Figure the length of your warp. Allow 2 yards for each panel of your afghan, plus 1 yard of loom waste. Wind your warp on the warping board, making a figure-eight cross at one end. Tie off the warp at the cross, at each end of the warp and at 1 yard intervals. Take the warp off the warping board and bring it to the loom.

3. Pre-sley the warp in the reed by pulling four threads through every fourth dent in the reed. Wind the warp onto the back beam. Remove the beater and reed. Thread the loom to a straight draw for a plain twill or any twill variation. Put the beater and reed back on the loom and sley the reed to the final sett. Tie the warp end on to the apron rod and tighten the warp.

4. Wind a rag shuttle with some rag strips and weave a few inches with the rag weft. Wind a bobbin with the alpaca weft. Begin weaving with the alpaca weft. Use a temple or stretcher if it's difficult to keep the selvedges neat. Beat lightly after you change the shed, keeping an even beat as you do so. When the back apron rod comes over the back beam, cut the warp ends behind the heddles. Pull the woven piece off the front cloth beam and cut it loose.Pull the rag weft out of the warp fringe. Braid the fringe and knot the ends.

5. Fill a washing machine or large sink with warm water and detergent. Immerse the afghan in the hot water and let it soak for an hour or so. Drain the water out, take the afghan out of the tub or sink and refill it with clear, warm water. Soak the afghan in the rinse water. Spin the excess moisture out and lay it flat on a towel to dry. Washing will "bloom" the alpaca fiber and make it warmer and softer.

References

• "Favorite Scandinavian Projects to Weave"; Tina Ignell; 2008
• Weavolution: Weaving with Alpaca