Getting Down and Dirty with Alpaca Fleece

Now I know to you that does not look much, to me it is a big deal.  It is the sum total of at least six hours spinning, probably nearer eight hours.  It is a good job I am not spinning to make a living because we would be on bread and water at the rate I spin.  I have not weighed the skein but I would estimate it is about 80g.  It is Navajo plied, so that makes it a three ply yarn.  It is better than my previous attempts with alpaca in that it is finer.  My previous attempts made a chunky yarn and the dog loved that skein and pinched it twice.  The bag I am spinning from looks exactly the same as when I started.  I am spinning straight from the bag and picking out small amounts of vegetable matter and dirt as I spin.  I am saving any fleece that is not for spinning and I will put it out for the birds.  There will be chicks in the spring in the most snuggly of nests, they won't want to leave home.  My Ashford Kiwi spinning wheel is getting rather mucky and so are my bobbins.  It is quite common to spin raw alpaca though as the fleece tends to be dusty rather than filthy.  I have to keep washing and scrubbing my hands and using lots of hand cream and olive oil on them.  I will wash the skeins to set the twist and clean the yarn.

Technically it is rather 'thick and thin' although I tried my best to get a consistent, even yarn.  I am wondering if preparing it before spinning would be a better idea.  I am not too smitten with the idea of putting 'dirty' alpaca through my drum carder though.  I would be really interested to hear what other spinners do with their alpaca fleece.  It is a lovely soft yarn, I will squish it and love it more when it is washed.  I am feeling rather daunted by the amount of fleece I have.  I am a bit like Gollum with the 'ring' I don't want to part with it.  I have fancy notions of large Alpaca cardigans and swishy shawls, winter hats, scarves and gloves, bed socks, tea cosies, you name it I have fancy notions of Alpacaring it!   Either my stashing skills are great or my Other half has noticed the nine bags stacked in the shed but is too worried to ask....  Now I can imagine you having a chuckle at my expense when I say, I am not sure if it is my imagination or if spinning this fleece is actually giving me a mild case of hives!  It would be just my luck to find I am allergic to it.