Alpaca Yarn

Comment

Comment by Melissa Burnett on March 22, 2010 at 8:15pm

I always handwash my alpaca and it absolutely can pill. I find that most fibers this soft have that feature. I've never felted any. I wonder if it makes for good felted projects. Does it felt in the same proportion as wool? Huh, that may be a fun project!

Comment by Judy Kelly on March 22, 2010 at 1:31pm

Alpaca must be washed carefully as in my experience it felts easily and it also pills if not handled carefully. I have been given two pelts to spin and am awaiting warmer weather to clean and get them ready as I wash fiber outside.

Comment by Melissa Burnett on March 7, 2010 at 9:38pm

HEY, check out this video about picking out alpaca yarn!

VIDEO

Comment by Nan Talley on March 4, 2010 at 7:43am

Alpaca and Llama yarns have no memory. You will need to look for a blend of Llama/Alpaca and Merino or another sheep breed yarn. Baby Alpaca/Llama yarn fiber sheared from a young animal....usually, their first shearing. It is quite soft! Chunky is spun thick......usually handspun. As to handle, it handles just as any other yarn. Hope that helps.....N

Comment by Melissa Burnett on March 2, 2010 at 1:49pm

I've heard it referred to as "poor man's cashmere" just to give you an idea of how SOFT it is!

Comment by Melissa Burnett on March 2, 2010 at 1:44pm

I personally LOVE alpaca yarn. It is luxurious and soft. It doesn't have the "memory" that sheeps wool has so you do need to keep that in mind. It is makes it great for scarves and stitch patterns that don't have a lot of natural stretch. You will often find alpaca blended with other fibers to change the characteristics. Merino and silk are common blends.

HERE is a link for more information about Alpaca fiber in general.

HERE is a great link to check out the blends by Alpaca Direct. These alpacas are raised in Brentwood, California at Rising Star Alpacas.

What is Baby Alpaca?
Baby Alpaca is the most rare and finest classification of Alpaca fiber. Don't worry, it is simply a measure of fiber density, not fleece from baby alpacas.

What is Chunky Alpaca?
Chunky simply descibes the weight of the yarn. Chunky yarn is thicker than worsted weight and is typically 12 to 14 stitches across 4 inches.

What does alpaca fiber feel like?
Alpaca has softness like no other natural fiber. Most people find alpaca apparel to be without the itch associated with wool. It is also very lightweight, yet warmer than wool.

What is the difference between sheep wool and alpaca fiber?
Sheep's wool has a different physical make-up than that of alpaca fiber. The outside of each strand of wool has tiny, microscopic scales along the length of the strand. When garments made with wool are worn next to the skin, these scales catch the surface of the skin and cause some wool to feel prickly. Strands of alpaca fiber are smooth and therefore feel less prickly or itchy next to the skin. Alpaca too, is lanolin free (lanolin holds dust and microscopic allergens that create allergies to wool), which allows for the hypoallergenic nature of the fiber. Each individual strand of fiber is hollow. This gives alpaca a tremendous thermal capacity that allows for a breathable fiber with an insulating nature. Alpaca insulates from cool and warm temperatures.

Does alpaca itch like wool?
Most people who are sensitive to wool products find that they can wear alpaca without the same sensitivity.

Is alpaca warm?
Yes! Alpaca fiber has a hollow core that gives it incredible thermal properties. While being warm in cold weather, it can breathe and is comfortable for any season.

Will I be allergic to alpaca?
Most people who have wool based allergies will not be allergic to alpaca. Alpaca doesn't contain lanolin found in wool (lanolin holds dust and microscopic allergens that often create allergies associated to wool).