Alpacas Cuteness Abounds!

Who doesn't love the feel of a soft, cozy sweater on a winter's day?

In Riverside, just off of the highway, eight Alpacas live. This is where all that winter warmth begins.

Their caretaker, Rachelle Barkhurst, became interested in Alpaca fibers when she moved to Wyoming about seven years ago. She had designed clothes for many years, but wanted to use a material that was more sustainable. She was introduced to Alpacas and it seemed like the perfect option. Barkhurst and her husband, Dan, decided to take on a few Alpacas and although it's been a learning curve, Rachelle has embraced the journey with enthusiasm.

Once the Alpaca is sheared, the fiber is sent to the mill.

Barkhurst' studio offers both roving and yarn, each is labeled with the Alpaca's name, bio and picture that it was taken from. Rachelle feels that since the Alpacas are such a huge part of what they do, they deserve this recognition.

Part of the experience at her studio is meeting the Alpacas, at least that's the plan.

I was thrilled to be able to go visit with the Alpacas. My first question was, what are their feet called? They look like claws. They are actually called two toe-ed feet animals.

Rachelle brought out a small amount of sweet feed in a bucket and we were soon surrounded by all of these adorable and lively critters.

Alpacas are smaller than llamas, weighing in at about 150 pounds. They tend to be more of a herd animal, not as independent as a llama, although they are a little more skittish.

Their hair is much finer than the llama, and they do produce more fleece and a larger variety of colors.

Mama Tao, Sally, Ferdy, George, Lennon, Ruby, Theo and Mondavi. Ferdy and Tao were showing off, actually frolicking! Not a word I use very often, but I believe the Alpacas truly embody the definition of frolicking. With their short ears and little faces, they reminded me of a stuffed animal on a child's bed.

Alpacas produce two different kinds of fiber. Firsts are sheared from softer parts of the animals that are used for clothing, hats, etc. Seconds are from the legs, and neck, used for bird nesting balls, and felting. Rachelle tries to utilize ever part of the fiber as possible.

When asked about Alpaca meat, Rachelle said she's never eaten it, but has heard it's very good. There are a few mills that raise Alpaca meat.