Alpaca Farm Days

Suri alpacas are different from the more common Huaycaya in that their fleece hangs in strands and isn't as fluffy. "There's a different market for Suri fiber," said Northern Sky Alpaca owner Laurie Weed. "That market is more high-end, runway model type. To me it's about educating people about alpacas in general, and we decided on Suris because they're more rare."

Danielle Robertson, left, learns to finger knit with the help of Karen Wallach at Northern Sky Alpaca in Dodge Center. Wallach makes bags out of recycled materials for her company One Arty Girl.

Trevor Gustafson, of Zumbrota, spins sheep's wool at Northern Sky Alpaca in Dodge Center. "It's fun to see the transformation of the material," said Gustafson. His wool is dyed by boiling plants like marigold and indigo.

Trevor Gustafson, of Zumbrota, spins sheep's wool at Northern Sky Alpaca in Dodge Center. "It's a really calming experience, very rhythmic," said Gustafson.

Trevor Gustafson, of Zumbrota, spins sheep's wool at Northern Sky Alpaca in Dodge Center. "It's fun to see the transformation of the material," said Gustafson. His wool is dyed by boiling plants like marigold and indigo.

Danielle Robertson walks her llama at Northern Sky Alpaca in Dodge Center. Llamas are larger, distant relatives of the South American alpaca.

Cameron Deml, of Owatonna, stands beside his huacaya alpaca at Northern Sky Alpaca in Dodge Center. Cameron has been showing alpacas with 4H for four years. "We raise alpacas, so I guess I decided to do something more with them. They're very curious and calm animals," Cameron said.

Alpacas have been bred for thousands of years for their strong, moisture resistant fibers. There are no wild alpacas.

Laurie Weed owns Northern Sky Alpaca with her husband, Tom, in Dodge Center. "There's a different market for Suri fiber. That market is more high-end runway model type. To me it's about educating people about alpacas in general and we decided on Suris because they're more rare," said Weed.