The Picker and Fiber

As mentioned earlier in the week, the shearing has started, fibre evaluated, washed and picked....what do I mean by picked?  Picking is when you put fibre through a manual machine to "open" it up and prepare it for the next step.  The manual machine is called a Picker....and it looks harmless enough on the outside but on the inside....it looks like a medieval torture device!  

Picker

And if you don't wear your gloves and get "picked" I can tell you it feels somewhat like that too!  However, it rarely happens you get picked, you just need to watch what you are doing.  

Inside the Picker

The fibre used in the pictures is Alpaca.  You don't always have too pick fibre.  When you do, the added benefit is that along with "opening" up the fibre it cleans the fibre ...making it easier to remove any bits that maybe there.

Pieces of Alpaca Fibre

Alpaca Fibre

Opened Alpaca Fibre

Notice the difference in the Alpaca fibre after it has gone through the Picker....it is fluffy so to speak!  The fibre is broken down into manageable pieces to process.  A small tight piece of fibre comes through the outside "opened".
Next week I will show you what happens to this "opened" fibre!  
Have a great weekend.  Sunday is suppose to be lovely!  If you want to drop by the farm store please call(705-778-2070)or email
first.  And don't forget to call if you need extra eggs for Easter!