“You can make anything out of alpaca. It’s a luxury fibre, and it creates a luxury textile.” ◄ Janet Ogilvie, Green Gable Alpacas
space. “There are also ties to Anne of Green Gables author Lucy Maud Montgomery.”
At Fibre House Boutique, guests can peruse yarns produced from the resident herd’s fleece, as well as alpaca fibre garments and accessories (such as “Storm Sole” insoles). “To fully appreciate alpaca, you’ve got to touch it, feel it, try it on,” says Ogilvie. She prefers to offer products crafted at the farm, or simply on-Island, and hand-dyes and hand-spins much of the selection. Green Gable Alpacas belongs to PEI’s Fibre Trail (neighbors include MacAusland’s Woollen Mills and Trailside Yarn Shop), and Ogilvie actively collaborates with other PEI fibre businesses. Belfast-based Fleece and Harmony, for example, handles the bulk of the alpaca herd’s fleece. Ogilvie hopes PEI’s burgeoning fibre industry will keep developing its reputation. She suggests a provincial “fibre fest” as a potential avenue to celebrate local producers.
“I think,” she muses, “that Prince Edward Island is uniquely positioned to be a fibre paradise.”
the Island. She considered various animals before settling on her alpaca herd. “I like to be a bit outside the box,” she explains, “and I love everything about alpacas. They’re very environmentally friendly.” They also produce a singular product. “The scales on alpaca fibre make it smoother and give it more lustre. It also lacks lanolin, so it’s considered hypoallergenic.” Nonetheless, Ogilvie acknowledges, “genetics and environment play a huge role in alpaca fibre’s quality.” Exemplary farming practices and skillful breeding have made Green Gables Alpaca’s fleece unique. “We’re quite proud that we produce, probably, the finest local alpaca fibre.”
Visitors to Green Gable Alpacas may explore the farm independently, or sign up for a tour, which allows guests to “enter the paddocks and meet the alpacas up close. If it’s sunny, we may turn the hose on and do ‘bath time.’ Everyone’s also introduced to Griswold, our llama.” Ogilvie is currently planning an additional evening tour option, meant to provide a deeper exploration of alpaca care. While the paddock tour will delight animal lovers, history buffs may also be intrigued. “The tour includes information about the farm itself,” notes Ogilvie, pointing out that the property is nearly 150 years old; the onetime milk house is now Fibre House Boutique, Green Gables Alpacas’ retail
Green Gable Alpacas #5627, Route 12, Birch Hill 902.303.0647
jogilvie@greengablealpacas.com www.greengablealpacas.com
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SUMMER 2018 www.pei-living.ca
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