Working/Knitting Alpaca Yarn?

I just received the most beautiful handspun alpaca wool from a friend to make a Christmas gift for my dad. The yarn is 100% Alpaca double plied white and brown alpaca. I will be making a FELTED cowboy hat for my mom.
The yarn is awsome and excelltly what I want BUT….it kind of smells. It smells like Alpaca/Sheep and it’s oily. It makes my hands (and room) smell like Alpaca. I dont know about washing it as it will be felted. How should I work with it? Should I rinse it? Should I suck it up and deal with it? Should I air it out outside? Should I wear gloves?
I love this yarn and just can’t wait to start working with it.
Thanks

It can be washed — carefully.
I’m surprised that it’s oily because alpaca doesn’t have lanolin like sheep.
Here is a link to some good washing instructions and also info and two message boards.

peruvian alpaca wool

Alpaca which are being bred in the West.. – 3×2 inch Fridge Magnet – large magnetic button – Magnet $4.99 Rectangular wrap-around refrigerator magnet and a glossy mylar cover.Large 2×3 inch rectangle fridge magnet or ‘buttons’ as they are sometimes known in the USA.Crop shown is automated for display purposes only. All magnets are hand finished and the best most appropriate crop will always be selected to best show the full image. Therefore, actual product may vary slightly from crop shown – this can …

Alpaca which are being bred in the West.. – Mug – Standard Size $14.50 This mug is created using the finest dye sublimation techniques and creates a stunning dishwasher safe finish. Great as a gift, or for promotional items. Each of our mugs come individually boxed for protection in transit….

Alpaca which are being bred in the West.. – Tea Towel 100% Cotton – Art247 – Tea Towel – 46x70cm $20.49 100% Cotton. Made in UK. Size 70cms X 46cmsThis is an automated preview only. Actual Tea Towel design may vary. All products are hand finished by our expert manufacturers and the best crop available will always be selected….

UNICORN FIBRE RINSE 16OZ $13.77 Unicorn Fibre Rinse is an anti-static, buffered pH bath designed to optimize conditioning of the natural fibre cuticle. Restores luster and softness to cashmere, alpaca, bison, qiviut, merino wool, mohair, cotton, and other natural fibres. Aids Unicorn Fibre Wash by minimizing re-entry of dirt onto fibre shaft after washing and is gentle enough to pamper your everyday knitwear garments. Leaves a r…

Three Pack Discount Alpaca Blend Knit Headband Luxury Fiber $39.95 Hand knit set of three headbands made with fine alpaca blend yarn. Geometrical design assortment in rich tones. Super light and soft fiber to keep your ears and head warm in the cold winter. Stylish look in the best quality fiber….

‘Rosewood Daisy’ Alpaca Wool Scarf (Peru) $49.99 ‘Rosewood Daisy’ alpaca wool wrap made with luxurious alpaca woolScarf’s natural fibers that are soft to the touchFashion accessory is a must for brisk weather

Handcrafted Alpaca Wool ‘Cherry Night’ Scarf (Peru) $52.99 Alpaca wool in cherry red becomes a cheerful handwoven scarf. Narrow black stripes whisper of midnight in this handsome scarf from Alberto Caceres in Peru.

Alpaca Wool ‘Muse’ Shawl (Peru) $72.99 This handcrafted shawl from Peru’s Raquel and Gregor is knitted with fleece from the season’s first shear, also known as baby alpaca wool. The shawl’s floral lacy patterns culminate with a scalloped border.

Alpaca $95.59 Alpaca is a domesticated species of South American camelid. It resembles a small llama in superficial appearance. Alpacas are kept in herds that graze on the level heights of the Andes of Ecuador, southern Peru, northern Bolivia, and northern Chile at an altitude of 3,500 m to 5,000 m above sealevel, throughout the year. Alpacas are considerably smaller than llamas, and unlike llamas, alpacas were not bred to be beasts of burden but were bred specifically for their fiber. Alpaca fiber is used for making knitted and woven items, much as wool is. These items include blankets, sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, a wide variety of textiles and ponchos in South America, and sweaters, socks, coats and bedding in other parts of the world. The fiber comes in more than 52 natural colors as classified in Peru, 12 as classified in Australia and 16 as classified in the United States. Author: Miller, Frederic P./ Vandome, Agnes F./ McBrewster, John Binding Type: Paperback Number of Pages: 136 Publication Date: 2010/04/24 Language: English Dimensions: 5.98 x 9.01 x 0.31 inches

Baby Alpaca Wool Reversible Blanket $756.41 Wrap yourself in the warm comfort of a baby alpaca wool blanketBedding is ideal for year round use with lightweight heft and natural colorsThrow is finished with a knitted baby alpaca ribbonFabric weight of 265 gsmArrives in a gift boxAvailable in taupe/grey and creme/ivory color options100-percent baby alpaca woolDry clean onlyModel number 330000Dimensions:Twin: 60 inches x 94 inchesQueen: 90 inches x 94 inchesKing: 110 inches x 94 inches