This looks to be an old topic by the date, but since I was interested n it, I've been reading through it.
Just as a side note, a good friend of mine is seriously allergic to nearly all the camalid family of critters, including alpaca. She is miffed because she is a spinner and can hardly bare to be in the same room as alpaca fiber.
It's also not really noted as a good "beginner" fiber for new spinners. Lovely stuff though it is, it's darned slippery for beginners. A "grabby" Coopworth or Shetland wool (or something similar) will be less frustrating. Once you have the hang of spinning, then try your hand at alpaca and see what you think. :)
