Are the alpacas killed to get the fiber?
How often are alpacas sheared?
How many colors does alpaca fiber come in?
What does fiber feel like?
What is the difference between sheep wool and alpaca fiber?
What is the difference between suri and huacaya fiber?
Does alpaca itch like wool?
Is alpaca warm?
Will I be allergic to alpaca?
Can alpaca be dyed?
Is baby alpaca from baby alpacas?
How do I care for alpaca garments?
Will the colors bleed?
Is alpaca durable?
How long will alpaca garments last?
Why are the suri products more expensive than the comparable huacaya products?
Are the alpacas killed to get the fiber?
No. Alpacas are sheared, much like sheep, every year. Alpacas are much cooler and happier in warm weather once the fiber is removed. The fiber re-grows by the time cool weather comes again.
How often are alpacas sheared?
Most alpaca producers in the United States shear once each year.
How many colors does alpaca fiber come in?
Alpacas come naturally in 22 color variations; the spectrum includes white, fawn, brown, gray and black, with all the natural shades in between. Alpaca dyes beautifully and is available in 18 colors through the cooperative. The color spectrum is as vast as your imagination if you choose to dye your own yarn.
What does fiber feel like?
Alpaca has softness like no other natural fiber. Huacaya alpaca is crimpy and soft. Suri alpaca is silky and lustrous. Most people find it 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.
What is the difference between suri and huacaya fiber?
Huacaya fiber is crimpy and soft. Suri fiber is silky and lustrous. Both types of fiber are luxurious and warm.
Does alpaca itch like wool?
Most people who are sensitive to woolen products find that they can wear alpaca without the same sensitivity.
Is alpaca warm?
Yes. Alpaca fiber has a hollow core that gives it great 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 create allergies to wool), which allows for the hypoallergenic nature of the fiber.
Can alpaca be dyed?
Yes! Alpaca dyes beautifully. It can be dyed with natural or synthetic dyes.
Is baby alpaca from baby alpacas?
Baby alpaca is an industry term, which relates to the fineness of the fibers that went into that particular garment or product. There are several fineness grades of alpaca fiber. The grade of fineness is not necessarily related to the age of the animal from which the fleece came. Baby alpacas (called crias) typically do have very fine fleeces. As alpacas age, the fineness of their fiber tends to decrease. Through selective breeding, there are adult alpacas that continually produce fiber, which grades at baby or finer. As alpaca producers this is a quality that we strive to produce.
Royal baby is the finest grade of alpaca fleece. Products made from royal baby are very expensive because there are only small amounts of this grade of fiber produced in the world. Baby is the next finest grade. It is very fine and feels wonderful in garments worn next to the skin. Superfine is the third grade and is not quite as fine as baby alpaca, but is still very soft and luxurious. There is a large supply of alpaca produced in this fineness grade. Many of our luxurious garments are made from superfine alpaca. The coarser grades of alpaca fiber are called adult or coarse and are used primarily for rugs, outerwear and other products not worn next to the skin. Some inexpensive alpaca products may actually be produced from the coarser grades of alpaca. Adult alpaca is still nice and has all of the wonderful qualities of the finer grades of alpaca. It just isn't as soft and may feel a bit prickly if worn next to the skin. The durability of the coarser fibers is superior to the finer fibers.
We try to utilize all the grades of fiber produced from our alpacas so that none of it goes to waste. We always designate the grade of fiber used in a particular product.
How do I care for alpaca garments?
Most simple sweaters and accessories made from alpaca may be hand washed in cool water with a mild soap and laid flat to dry. Structured coats, jackets, finely woven or intricately detailed garments should be dry-cleaned. All of our garment labels recommend dry cleaning for the sake of simplicity and safety. During the summer months, your alpaca garments should be stored away from possible moth infestation. We recommend using a sealed cedar chest, the freezer (put garment in a zip lock bag first) or in another moth protected environment.
Will the colors bleed?
The natural colored garments will not bleed or fade because the color is inherent in the structure of the fibers. Dyed garments may bleed slightly at first washing, so always wash separately. Alpaca fiber takes dyes very well so little fading should be expected.
Is alpaca durable?
Yes. Alpaca is stronger than cashmere. It is resistant to pilling and will not shrink if proper care is given. Many people have had alpaca garments for years and years.
How long will alpaca garments last?
If properly cared for, alpaca garments will last for many years without signs of wear.
Why are the suri products more expensive than the comparable huacaya products?
Suri alpacas are very rare in the United States as well as in South America. Due to this rarity, their fiber and products made from their fiber command a premium price.