Skirting

Learning to skirt is probably the biggest challenge in the preparation process. These guidelines will help get you through the process. To become proficient and comfortable skirting, it is recommended you find some way to experience "hands on" training. This experience can come from another alpaca owner (mentor) or there are other forms of training available (videos, classes, etc.).

1. Lay blanket (cut side down) out on skirting table as near to its original "alpaca" shape as possible. Shake blanket to remove excess dust and dirt. Skirt remove (pull from blanket) sections of the fleece which are different in quality from the blanket, dirty (mud, vegetable matter, urine stains, etc), coarse (guard hair), contaminated, or generally unusable. Place the fiber you are removing in your 3 bag for felting/rug projects.
2. Flip blanket so that cut side is up. Look across the blanket for "Second Cuts" and pull them out. (Hint: An easy way to remove the seconds is to take an index card or other stiff piece of paper and run it across the cut side of the blanket. The second cuts will come to the surface and stick to the paper).
3. Fold blanket in half (side-to-side) cut side to cut side. Roll folded blanket from hind end to front end and place in Blanket Bag (Labeled #1). Twist bag closed (do not tie).
4. Place all Neck Bags (Labeled #2) into Blanket larger plastic bag for shipping.