It was 1996, we were city kids, living in a downtown apartment when CRASH, we fell head over heels in love with alpacas, at first sight. Who could resist? Such dear, sweet faces!

We cautiously bought one pregnant alpaca and boarded her with some alpaca mentors!

Eventually we purchased land in rural Clark County, Washington, logged it, the old fashioned way, using draft horses, planted and fenced our pastures, built our barn... and, as these things do ... we grew. We now manage a, little larger, but still small, herd of 30 award winning, Huacaya alpacas.

We specialize in grey alpaca... the number shades of grey are amazing!! We do have other colors... white for hand dyeing and blending, blacks for just the pure elegance... and other colors that Mother Nature sends our way.

As we grew, we came to appreciate alpaca fiber. We learned that it is hypoallergenic, wicks moisture away from the skin, and is oh, so soft and beautiful.

We've worked hard to consistently produce soft, luxurious fleeces. Because we know each animal, we're able to determine the best use for each fleece. We rarely combine fleeces for yarns, but when we do, they are of like characteristics... and are often used for novelty yarns, hand spun or blends.

We shear our animals yearly, in Spring. Before milling, I skirt (pick clean) each fleece by hand. This is time consuming, but the best way to gain intimate knowledge of each one. It is then carefully washed and carded before being spun.
All fleeces are scientifically tested (we run histograms). We know the inner workings of each. Only our best, prime fleeces are used to make "next to the skin yarn." We want to be sure that our customers get the best we have to offer... the softest, most consistent yarn "next to the skin" comfort factor, in short, a high quality, wonderfully comfortable product.

All of our products are made from our own fleeces. We don't purchase or offer products from co-ops or other countries. It keeps us small, but gives us 100% quality control.

We've been lucky to work with Spring Harvest Fiber Mill, a small family owned mill of like minded alpaca breeders, who spin many of our yarns, to our own designs and specifications. With the exception of yarn reserved for dyeing, we spin all of our yarn into balls... it saves our customers time. Who wants to wind yarn when they can be creating?!!

Sooo... naturally we wanted to show off our beautiful fleeces. How better than to create beautiful yarns and handmade products and open a store?

ALPACA ARTISAN is proud to present our "CREATE AN HEIRLOOM " yarns, including our "ALL THINGS BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL" and HEATHERS sock yarns, novelty yarns, alpaca boucles and barber poles, alpaca rug yarns, and whatever else strikes our fancy! On occasion, we will be offering raw, but skirted, fleeces and and processed roving.

All of our gorgeous hats, scarves, socks, and other goodies are hand knit or crocheted using our yarns.

We enjoy the unique ... unusual blends, color, color and patterns!

We are honored that Stephanie Morton, a classically trained hand weaver, has made rugs for us, using our farm grown, core spun rug yarn and our patterns ... these are like no other.

Some of our happy customers have said they are "luscious," "sensual," "Soooo soft" and have declared themselves in love!

We hope you will be too. Above all, we want you to enjoy... alpaca is such a tactile delight. Sigh!

Please, come visit us at our web site, get our full story, updates on our doings, and meet the full cast of characters... alpacas, guardian dogs, and of course, the 2 legged staff.

www.altiplano-alpacas.com

Come often and stay late!