* F I B E R

Camel down is the soft warm inner down of a bactrian camel with a fiber structure similar to cashmere. The down is usually 1-3 inches long with a micron count of about 15-22 microns. Camel down does not felt easily. Baby Camel Top has been becoming more popular every year. Peace of Yarn offers Baby Camel Top which is only 18 microns (only 2 microns more than most cashmere) and which can capture the attention of hand spinners who seek a luxury fiber at a low price. It has a staple length of over 2 inches which is quite long for camel. The light color of this Baby Camel Top also will appeal to dyers.

* C A M E L S

Bactrian camels have two humps, weigh about 1600 pounds and stand about 7-9 feet tall at the top of their humps. Their gestation period is 370-445 days and give birth to calves weighing 80-130 pounds. Their life span is 40-50 years. Bactrian camels have two coats: the warm inner coat of down and a rough outer coat which is long and hairy. They shed their fiber in clumps consisting of both coats and is normally gathered. They produce about 5 pounds of fiber annually.

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