Alpaca…..
- are woolly mammals related to camels and llamas.
- produce a specialty fiber in 16 different natural colors – white, beige, lt. fawn, med. fawn, dk. fawn, lt. brown, med. brown, dk. brown, bay black, true black, lt. silver grey, med. silver grey, dk. silver grey, lt. rose grey, med. rose grey, dk. rose grey.
- fiber is five times warmer than sheep wool and more durable than cotton.
- fiber contains no oils or lanolin because they lack the natural body oils produced by most animals. If there happens to be any oils on the fiber, it is easily washed out making it quicker and less expensive to process, not to mentioned easier on the environment. Sheep’s wool requires chemicals or harsh soaps to clean the fiber which still leaves some natural oils. Between the chemicals and lanolin, sheep’s wool is often unbearable for most people to wear.
- fiber contains microscopic air pockets giving it lightness and high thermal capacity.
- grow approximately 5-10 inches fiber each year and can weigh anywhere from 1 to 8 pounds from a mature animal. Alpacas are shorn annually in the Spring.
- fiber is dense, crimped, and wooly in appearance on the Huacayan alpaca. This gives them a soft, huggable, teddy-bear like look and makes them overwhelmingly popular in the industry. Suri alpaca fiber is silky and luxurious looking.
- fiber is one of the finest animal fibers in the world. It is comparable to mohair, cashmere, and other rare fibers. It is said to be stronger than mohair, finer than cashmere, softer than cotton, smoother than silk, warmer than goose down, and breathes better than thermal knits.
- fiber is very soft, light, and warm without the prickle of sheep’s wool. Only the guard hairs will create an itching or “prickly” sensation. Fine alpaca, < 21 microns, feels smooth and silky next to the skin.
- fiber is mostly consumed by the U.S., Italy, and Japan. Italy has long used the fiber in its fine clothing which it sells to the upper class.
- cria are young alpacas.
- have a lifespan of about 15-20+ years.
- make humming, clucking, whining, and grumbling sounds to communicate.
- spitting is a sign of dominance, fear, or warning.
- fiber is carded by hand or machine in a mill. However, if the fiber becomes too fine, a mill won’t be able to process it because it breaks too easily.
- fiber is naturally antimicrobial, hypoallergenic due to lack of lanolin, water-repellent, and fire retardant.
- grades in the U.S.:
- Royal Baby Alpaca – less than 20 microns
- Baby Alpaca – from 20 to 22.9 microns
- Super Fine Alpaca – from 23 to 26.9 microns
- Adult/Strong Alpaca – from 27 to 34 microns