Big Rock Alpaca Farm » Products

Hand Spinner Wanted

Allen — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 03:32:28 +0000

Information on the hand spinning offer has been moved to its own page.

Are you a hand spinner that loves trying different things? Hand spinning with different blends of fiber? Maybe hand spinning some hand dyed fiber to see how it turns out?

Hand spinning wheel

We would like to see how our alpaca fiber blends with other fibers and how it dyes. We just don’t have the time to do the hand spinning to use up our fiber. We could send it out to get processed, as we’ve done in the past, but we’d like to see some more variety. Even getting it processed at a mini mill means we’d get 4+ pounds of the same thing. We’d like to get 3 or 4 skeins of something unique. We may either sell it in our shop, online or in person, or use it in a craft.

What we would like to do is find a couple hand spinners willing to spin up the fiber into yarn for half of the fiber. How it would work is we’ll wash, card and blend the fiber into bats on our Howard Brush Drum Carder. We’ll send you half of the fiber blend to spin for us and after you send it back we’ll send you the other half with which you can do whatever you like.

This is something new, for us, that we’re trying so we’re open to working with your ideas if your willing to the work with us and give us suggestions.

If this is something you think you would be interested in please let us know:

[contact-form]

Howard Brush Drum Carder

Allen — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:00:46 +0000

With all this great alpaca fiber that we have around we decided to become a Howard Brush Drum Carder distributor. We have been using The David Drum Carder, which has three drums, making processing the alpaca fiber faster than a normal two drum drum carder. We got the fine toothed drum carder @ 90/120 TPI.

David Drum Carder

The fiber we dyed with Kool-Aid was carded with the David Drum Carder. It makes wonderful batts for dying or felting, as well as hand spinning.

Click on the post header for the option to purchase this wonderful drum carder.

Fleece Lined Alpaca Skier Hat

Allen — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:25:42 +0000

Online store now open!

As a grand opening special we’re offering these alpaca skier hats for $18.00 each, normally they sell for $22.00 each.? This great price on this great hat is available for a limited time.

Colorful lined alpaca skier hat

These fleece lined alpaca skier hats are lined with super soft fleece covered with 100% alpaca in colorful patterns.? The brim is a traditional roll up.? Hit the slopes this winter with this great hat keeping your head toasty warm.? Adult sizes in two different color themes, blue or green.

Click on the title line of the post or here for the opportunity to order.

[Note: 12/21/09, Special over, price changed back to $22.00]

2009 Open House Rapidly Approaching

Allen — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 02:15:53 +0000

Open House

November 7, 8 & 14, 15 2009

12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM

The first weekend of our open house is rapidly approaching. It looks like the weather is going to cooperate nicely. Hope you’re able to come! Call if you have any questions about the open house.

The Mannings Annual Spinning Seminar was a wonderful day

Allen — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 02:29:47 +0000

The Mannings Annual Spinning Seminar

The Mannings Annual Spinning Seminar day on June 13, 2009 was a wonderful day.? The weather cooperated and didn’t rain, but on top of that it wasn’t terribly hot nor was it too cold.? When we arrived we found that we were placed under a nice shade tree across the road near the creek.? Across the open green space there were groups of people spinning and weaving.

It took Cimarron and Silver Ray a little to settle in to the routine of being handled and petted, but they did splendidly.? And Josh, but especially Jake, did a great job of handling them and telling the people about the alpacas.? We had several people comment to us about them and we really appreciated those comments.

We spoke to many people, some were familar with alpaca fiber and the difference between suri and huacaya fiber, but we were able to show many people the differences.? We also had several different stages of processed fiber for people to see, including roving, yarn and sheets of felt.? For those of you that were interested in purchasing some of the fiber, by all means, give us a call or drop us an email so we can make arrangements to get you some of the finest natural fiber in the world.? You can call 1(888)544-SURI (7874) or send an email to ‘info @ bigrockalpacafarm.com’ [without the spaces around the '@' sign].

All in all is was a great day and we got to meet so many nice people.? If any of you would like to visit the farm, please feel free to contact us to schedule a visit, there’s no need to wait for the open house.

The Mannings Annual Spinning Seminar

Allen — Mon, 18 May 2009 12:19:23 +0000

On June 13, 2009 Big Rock Alpaca Farm will be showing off some of our alpacas at The Mannings Annual Spinning Seminar.? The two that we’ll most likely have there will be Gaston and Silver Ray.

Silver Ray has already been shorn, but since Gaston will be getting back from Nationals earlier in the week we’re planning to still have him in full fleece and to hand shear him on Sunday.

The day makes for a great family outing.? There is no admission fee or pre-registration required and lunch can be purchased there in support of a local church.? There will be lots of different demonstrations going on for everyone to experience and learn from.

Kelly showing Frankie

We’ll have a couple of our alpacas there and will also have some of the their raw fiber and fiber in various stages of being processed.

We look forward to seeing all of you there!

Alpaca Ski Hat

Allen — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:43:25 +0000

One of the products that we have found very popular from our stand at Ashcombe’s has been the alpaca ski hat.? They sell for $16 and are very soft and warm.? The alpaca ski hats are also very colorful.? I don’t know that I’ve seen two of the alpaca ski hats that are the same.? Keep in mind that alpaca is 5-7 times warmer than wool and not scratchy like wool so these alpaca ski hats are much more comfortable than a comparable wool hat.

We have several of these in stock right now but they are sure to go fast at the open house.

Alpaca Ski Hat

Big Rock Alpaca Farm Open House – One week and counting

Allen — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 03:43:11 +0000

Today was a beautiful fall day.? Hopefully next week will be as nice for our open house.? We did take the opportunity to do some work outside around the farm. We also visited another alpaca farms open house at Eastland Alpacas.

The final version of the post card has finally hit the mail on Friday so hopefully you will be receiving your card in the mail shortly.? If you don’t have one, feel free to print out the card here to receive the 10% discount off the purchase of one store item.

Big Rock Alpaca Farm Open House Card

The dates to remember are November 8, 9 & 15, 16, 2008 from 12:00 Noon to 5:00 PM.? We look forward to see you.

Ashcombe’s Fall Harvest

Allen — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:50:12 +0000

? We’ve just completed our second Saturday at Ashcombe’s this weekend.? It’s been wonderful.? We’ve gotten to meet lots of nice people.? And the kids really love seeing the alpacas.

Stand at Ashcombes

We will be there for one more weekend, weather permitting.? After that we’ll have a weekend off before our open house at the farm.?? If you miss us at Ashcombe’s be sure to come visit us during our open house.

2008 Fall Events

Allen — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 16:25:35 +0000

Come out to see us at one of the many events we will be attending this fall:

Sept 13, 2008 – East Berlin Colonial Day, we will again be on the grass near the post office and food vendors.? Come pick up some alpaca socks for winter.? Sorry, no alpaca will be in attendence.

Sept 27 & 28, 2008 – National Alpaca Farm Day, the farm will actually be closed.? We will?be doing our product stand at Criative Acres Alpacas?in Jarretsville, MD where you will be more than welcome to stop by and see us.? John & Renee will have some wonderful alpacas there for everyone to see and visit with.

Oct 4, 18 & 25, 2008 – Ashcombe Fall Festival, come out to a wonderful time.? In years past we’ve had loads of fun at this event.? There’s usually a corn maze, straw pit, pumkin picking and lots of other fall events.? We always look forward to the homemade apple butter.? If you haven’t gotten your alpaca sweater yet, this would be a good opportunity as there is usually getting to be a nip on the air by October.

Nov 8,9,15 & 16, 2008?- Big Rock Alpaca Farm Open House, our annual open house will be the 2nd and 3rd weekends in November.? Come out and see the widest selection of alpaca products that we have available.? Do your Christmas shopping in a quiet rural setting.? There will be alpacas available to see and feel!

We look forward to seeing you!