ALPACA breeders, Victoria and Roger Barrett have devoted themselves to understanding and caring for alpacas and now enjoy passing on their knowledge and skills to others.

“Alpacas allow us a way of life that allows us to get closer to nature and the land. Anyone who has contact with these curious, gentle and fascinating animals cannot help but be inspired, as we were” said Mrs Barrett.

Victoria and Roger are members of the British Alpaca Society who are dedicated to the welfare of alpacas and the education of their owners in the UK.

As part of their desire to do the best for their alpacas, they decided to learn the art of shearing. Then came the prospect of fleece, opening up the door to the basics of fibre preparation, dyeing, felting, spinning and weaving.

Victoria is now sharing her passion of making craft items from the fleece by running a creative felting workshop. “Come along for a fascinating day of felting and head home with two completed items” said Mrs Barrett.

Wet felting is a brilliant craft and perfect for those who have never tried felting before.

Alpacas create a unique fleece. When this fleece is agitated and compressed until the fibres lock together it forms a mat known as felt. Felt is the oldest form of fabric and it can be used to make just about anything.

At this workshop you will learn the basics of felting, experimenting with techniques and exploring the use of colour, creating a scarf in the morning and then, with your newly found skills, making a bag, an iPad cover, tea cosy, or something of a similar size in the afternoon.

Mrs Barrett is running this workshop with Three Little Pigs, a craft workshop provider based in the village of Birlingham, near Pershore, on Saturday, August 18. The workshop will run from 10.00am until 4.00pm with a break for lunch which is also provided. Places on this workshop are limited to 8.

For more details for to book a place visit threelittlepigs.eu or telephone Fiona on 07935 208403