Last week, our meeting was a field trip – to HLA Fiber Mill east of Augusta, Kansas!

Owners John and Sara Morris graciously hosted our tour of their small and efficient facility, showing us the many steps of processing fiber from fleece (wool, alpaca, whatever!) to finished product.

Sara showing off a prize-winning alpaca fleece.

Sara and guild members with a black alpaca fleece (or blanket); retail opportunity in the foreground!

HLA rugs and rug yarns

A few of the mill products, with bags of fiber on the shelves waiting to be processed.

Guild members drooling over the specialized washing machine – drying cabinet at left.

Explaining how the draw frame works to draft fiber in the final step before spinning.

Sam was particularly intrigued by the spinner, while John demonstrates plying.

More of their gorgeous yarn in a variety of natural colors.