What is Alpaca?

Alpaca is a species of camel. Like Llama, but smaller, Alpacas are gentle and inquisitive by nature from thousands of years of domestication. They have a fine, heavy fleece which occurs naturally in over 22 shades ranging from black, charcoal, silver, sand, brown and ivory. Alpaca clothing and other alpaca products are made from this pure natural fibre

There are two types of Alpaca, the Huacaya and the Suri. Huacaya is the more common of the two and the fleece has a denser, fluffier appearance. Suri Alpaca fibre is longer, flatter and silkier.

Once treasured by Inca Royalty for its unique strength, lustre and slippery softness, Alpaca wool has a hollow fibre which renders it uniquely light and up to 30% warmer than the same weight of merino wool.

Alpaca has no lanolin content which together with an absence of the 'prickle factor' associated with ordinary wool makes it ideally suited for babies and sensitive skins. It is up to 4 times harder wearing than merino wool and does not tend to pill or ball. An alpaca sweater for example can last longer than a wool or cashmere sweater. It also comes in at least 22 natural colours.

Alpacas are not killed for their fur.   The Alpaca fur is mainly from baby Alpacas - or “cria” - which have died of natural causes as the weaker animals often perish in the harsh Andean winter. 

Alpacas can live for 20 years, promising a lifetime of shearing potential of far greater value than a single pelt.