Stone Fox Llamas
Stone Fox Fibre Works |
Llama is sometimes called poor man's alpaca, but in this case there is nothing to be given up. It's not an imitation or a lesser quality fiber. Llamas and alpacas are close cousins and both are native to the Andes of South America. In the South American textile industry, their wool is not sorted and labeled according to the animal it came from, but rather by it's quality. If it is fine enough, it is called alpaca. Lesser quality fiber is labeled as llama, even though it may have come from an alpaca. Here in North America where the wool Stone Fox Fibre Works uses is grown, many of our llamas are growing alpaca!
Beginnings
I woke up one morning in May of 1981 wanting a llama. I didn't know why. Nor did I have any idea how llamas would change my life. They turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me.
One magical thing quickly led to another and before June was over I was the very proud owner of 12 llamas, including 5 bred females. I was so caught up in what was happening that it wasn't until I saw the look on my horse's face as the llamas were led into HIS barn that I realized what I'd done!
My firstborn, Thritty, was a wonderful llama ambassador to the world. He excelled on PR outings and accompanied me many times. We went to schools, nursing homes, libraries, knitting club meetings and up and down elevators and we walked in parades. You name it, he did it and he never made a mistake. Sadly, he died in 2004 at the ripe old age of 23 and I still miss him.
My horizons expanded rapidly. Viewing - and more importantly, FEELING - all this wonderful fiber on my critters was irresistable. I'd been a knitter since childhood and now learned to hand spin their wool into a soft, warm, wonderful yarn. Visions of soft, warm sweaters, hats, scarves ear warmers, mittens, ponchos, capes AND MORE in my original designs danced in my head. Before 1981 was over, I was spinning up a storm.
The Journey
At first working with the fiber was just a hobby while breeding, training and selling llamas was my main focus. But that wasn't enough fiber work to satisfy me. Soon I was taking on jobs from other llama owners, happily transforming their piles of fluff into something useable.
But that still wasn't enough - I had to make what they wanted. While I truly love turning someone's idea into a finished item it didn't allow me to express my own creativity as much as I wanted. Art shows became the answer. Years of putting up my little store at shows around the Midwest taught me how much others appreciate the uniqueness of my original designs, the character of this natural fiber and the quality of the workmanship. But that still wasn't enough!
The Internet has provided me the perfect answer by allowing me to sell nationally and beyond while being able to remain home with my llama family. Whether it is yarn to satisfy your creative instincts, a finished garment made with my fiber, or transforming your fiber into something special, Stone Fox Fibre Works is bound to satisfy. That's my guarantee!
Today
Though I'm currently not doing any breeding, llamas and their wool remain at the center of my world.
There have been some big changes in the past two years. My little 5-acre farm became too much a part of the encroaching city. There never was enough pasture anyway so I've moved from cold, snowy Wisconsin to the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina. I have 32 acres going right up to the top of my mountain, appropriately named Stoney Mountain. The land was unimproved and forested when I bought it. The forest was old and overgrown so as much as it hurt to do it, I had it logged. Llamas prefer more open spaces, after all! After the leftover tree parts have been turned into firewood for me and others, I'll have lots of pasture. It's been a lot of work just to make it liveable but I'm very happy.
Tomorrow
What will tomorrow bring? I'm working on a man's jacket and thinking about decorative baskets, rugs, wall hangings, another afghan pattern, even saddle blankets... What can I make for you?
Nancy Fox