Alpaca fiber that is properly skirted and graded (classed) produces vastly superior yarn with a more consistent end product. Improperly prepared, the finer fibers of a fleece will spin to the inside of yarn, leaving the courser fibers on the outside where it will be felt by the consumer. With proper skirting and grading, courser fiber may feel better than a histogram would indicate.

Many alpaca owners are unsure about how to properly skirt a fleece. The proof shows it in the number one comment from fleece judges; "SKIRT FLEECE". Many people are afraid of taking out too much in fear of losing weight points. What they don't understand is this reluctance causes points lost in uniformity, lack of medullation, and impurities/stain/damage, resulting in possible point losses in three times the catagories than if it had been properly skirted before submission. Proper skirting can actually increase your chances of a ribbon. It's not magic or manipulation. Professional skirting is proper preparation of the fleece to extend it's full potential to the judges or the end product.

Other Alpaca owners just don't have the time or inclination to do it themselves, and left improperly skirted, if at all, the end result will be lower quality products returned from mills and co-ops after processing. The busy Alpaca owners inability to prepare their fleeces often results in many being left to deteriorate in storage facilities or barns when they could be made into useful products to drive the Alpaca fiber industry forward.

This is where I come in. My name is Cheryl Tenold and I was the first American to take the Alpaca Fiber Sorting & Classing course at the Olds College Natural Fibre Centre, in Alberta, Canada. This was not just some "on farm seminar", but rather a comprehensive college course encompassing both theory and practical hands-on training. During the course, our skills at identifying micron by touch and sight were tested against the OFDA 100 machine, where I achieved 90% accuracy.

Fiber can be skirted and graded on an individual basis (Muffy's fleece), or it can be combined for processing based on color, length, and micron (Muffy, Fluffy & Buffy). Whichever way you choose, you will receive the statistics of your fleece to aid in your breeding and marketing programs. Information I provide with your fleece such as grade (or micron), medullation, color, weight, notes about tenderness, vegetation, and more, can be vital to making decisions in a breeding program, nutrution, farm environment, that may not otherwise have emerged.

Once your fleeces have been processed, they can be returned to you, sent directly to a mini-mill of your choice, or forwarded to a co-op.

For every 10 fleeces skirted/graded, you get one done for FREE!

$25.00 per fleece right off the animal at shearing time.

$35.00 per fleece if it comes out of a bag.


Participating in fleece shows is a fun and rewarding way to realize the results of your breeding program for the true purpose of alpacas; their fiber. It is often less expensive to enter a fleece show as, often, you can just mail in your entry, saving travel, hotel, and meal expenses. It is also unnecessary to purchase pen space for a fleece show. If you are participating in a halter event, then entering the fleece show gives you a chance at two ribbons for the same animal instead of one. Fleece shows also provide a lower cost alternative for smaller farms to showcase their efforts.

What's the difference?
In order to present the most optimal fleece entry, more judgment and time is spent in the skirting process to maximize the positive competitive values, as well as the care in handling and preparing a fleece for presentation. Show fleeces must be handled and packed carefully to provide the judge a good first impression with as little fussing of the blanket as possible when laying it out. Show skirting requires more time and care in handling.

Skirting of Show Fleeces starting at $60.00 (highly vegetated fleeces are extra)

Regardless of the destination or type of skirting you choose for your fleeces, remember; With proper professional skirting, an average fleece can feel good, a good fleece can feel great, and a great fleece can be truly outstanding.