The Alpaca Fiber

Textiles are an important and unique aspect of Andean culture. The skilled workmanship apparent in alpaca textiles and garments is a result of centuries of knowledge and experience passed down through generations. The sweet-tempered, gentle alpaca is prized for its luxurious fiber, which is stronger and more resilient than merino sheep wool. Some characteristics of the alpaca fiber put it at the head of fine fibers.

Finest fiber
To the touch, alpaca is soft and silky, with a rich handle and sensual drape. Alpaca is considered to be one of the finest fibers in the world. Alpaca yarns are usually knitted into sweaters, vests, gloves, socks and scarves. The end products are superb. Garments made from alpaca fiber exhibit a slippery, silky feel. They do not pill or lose their shape. Alpaca garments can be worn by those who are allergic to wool. Alpaca fiber is considered amongst the finest fibers by the fashion industry along with cashmere and silk. The fiber is often referred to as "the fiber of the Gods".

Thermal properties
Alpaca fiber is hollow, thereby providing excellent thermal properties within extremely lightweight garments. The alpaca fiber provides greater insulation and a wider comfort range with less weight. Compared to wool and cashmere, an alpaca garment is lighter, more breathable and far warmer. Precipitation does not readily penetrate an alpaca garment, allowing the wearer to remain warm and dry. This property also aids in wicking moisture away from the skin for better comfort and warmth.

Endurance
Alpaca fiber is also extremely strong and durable. Numerous alpaca textiles over two thousand years old have been found in excellent condition with their original colors intact! Alpaca garments can be worn for years and still retain their original beauty. Additionally, alpaca garments and textiles are extremely resilient, won’t mat or pill, and are stain resistant.

Natural colors
Alpaca fiber comes in an extraordinary variety of 22 natural colors, ranging from pure white through fawn, to a range of browns and a true jet black. Luxurious garments crafted from the silky fiber have the look and feel of cashmere. The alpaca fiber itself has many excellent characteristics. Visually, the alpaca fiber is unsurpassed for its range of rich, natural colors. From creamy white to lustrous black, with many grays and browns in between, there are at least twenty-five different natural shades. In addition, the fiber takes dye readily for an unlimited palette of beautiful colors.

Hypo-allergenic / non itchy
Unlike wool, alpaca fleece contains no lanolin, and requires no chemical scouring agents for processing. This, combined with its natural hypo-allergenic properties and softness, makes alpaca garments comfortable, even for sensitive skin. The softness of Alpaca over wool of the same micron is due to a scale height of 0.4 micron for Alpaca versus 0.8 micron for wool. The lower scale height creates a smoother, slippery feel with a less scratchy surface. Alpaca has a much less prickle factor than merino because of the flatter scales on the fiber shaft.

Luxurious fiber
As alpaca fiber is a specialist fiber, in short supply compared to other natural fibers, it has always been priced high and is not subject to price fluctuations as say sheep's wool.

Care
With minimal care and soft brushing the alpaca garments regain their original beauty year after year. Alpaca fiber is naturally clean because dust doesn't get trapped by this lanolin free fiber (wool has lanolin that attracts dust). So the care is simple and easier than wool because you will wash your alpaca garment occasionally by hand washing with mild shampoo. This procedure will guarantee years of enjoyment.

Alpaca Fiber Advantages over Wool

• Stronger (per same fineness)
• Hollow fiber, warmer for weight
• Lower incidence of allergic reactions
• Softer, less irritating
• Lots of rich, natural colors
• Less shrinkage (washable)
• Thermostatically superior (50 degree F comfort range vs. 30 degree F for wool)

Alpaca Fiber Advantages over Synthetics

• Superior breathability
• Wicks away body moisture
• Hollow fiber, warmer for weight
• Warm when wet
• Won’t mat or pill
• Naturally windproof
• Flame resistant, doesn’t melt
• Low static electricity, doesn’t hold debris
• Stain resistant
• Resists acquired odors (odors dissipate overnight)
• Wrinkle resistant (hang overnight, wrinkles disappear)
• All natural and biodegradable
• Natural luster, more attractive
• Thermostatically superior (50 degree F comfort range vs. 20 degree F for synthetics)

Alpaca Fiber advantages over Cashmere

• Natural colors (up to 28)
• Thermal insulation, better than cashmere
• Wrinkle resistance, better than cashmere
• Resistance, better than cashmere
• Pilling, less than cashmere
• Water absorption, similar than cashmere
• Flexibility, less than cashmere in normal alpaca, similar than cashmere when we work with baby alpaca
• Shrinkage, less than cashmere
• Luster, cashmere lose its luster after a couple of years, alpaca retains it for decades.