Yarn made of 100% alpaca wool does not keep its shape very well, which is why we have a great selection of alpaca yarn blends that are mixed with other materials that strengthen the yarn, so that your creations will stay in the shape you created them in. It’s similar to sheep's wool and is typically mixed with wool and sometimes acrylic. Alpaca yarn is often mistaken for cashmere because of the soft texture, the silky look, and lightness of the yarn. Alpacas are sheared annually, the fleece is hand prepared and graded by Tracy; it is professionally analysed and only fibre under 26 microns is used to make our yarn. These knitted scarf patterns for alpaca yarn are your new favorite itchy-skin solutions. The mill uses fair trade principles to guide their … UK Alpaca is a family business run by Chas Brooke and Rachel Hebditch from our farm in Devon. It is then sent to New Zealand for processing into our luxurious yarn at a leading commercial mill with decades of experience in spinning and professionally dyeing all types of yarn. This highlights the fiber’s natural properties, while it also provides a … With the rise in the production of cashmere, there has also been a decline in the quality and one could argue that alpaca now outranks cashmere for its soft feel. This highlights the fiber’s natural properties, while it also provides a better shape and texture quality. This ruminant, or cloven-hoofed and cud-chewing mammal, is also known as Lama pacos. Keep reading to learn how I took Dalma’s alpaca fiber from farm to yarn! NATURAL. Alpacas are ruminants with three stomach compartments which efficiently convert grass and hay into energy. The eco-friendly baby alpaca yarn. It is just … 65. Alpacas are pseudo-ruminant mammals that are part of the camelid biological family, along with camels and llamas. Huacayas have fluffy, crimpy fiber, while the more lustrous straight fiber of the suri hangs down in long tight locks. Alpaca Yarn by Drops Show Filters weight + Fiber + Color + Type + Filter by. The fiber that came to me was lovely and well skirted. Superfine alpaca yarn is made with somewhat larger hairs, while suri is the coarsest alpaca fiber. From here: Alpaca is warmer than sheep’s wool. The alpaca fiber is untreated, which means that it is only washed and not exposed to any chemical treatment prior to the dyeing. Alpacas usually live to be 15 to 25 years old, are about 3 feet tall at the withers and usually weigh between 110 and 175 pounds. The alpaca fiber is untreated, which means that it is only washed and not exposed to any chemical treatment prior to the dyeing. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and What is an alpaca? Combine with other yarns to add softness and a more exciting structure, or even to enable you to use a larger needle, if this is needed for your pattern of choice. Alpaca fiber is warmer than wool if the gauge of yarn is the same. In fact, I've even heard the word "hypoallergenic" bandied about. Alpacas are shorn once a year: between November and March, which happens to be the spring and summer time in Peru. Peru produces about 90% of the world's alpaca fiber today. An alpaca is a domesticated mammal from South America. It’s the shape most people think of when they think of yarn because it is … The mills we use are in the UK; no alpaca is hurt in the process.Our products are sustainable, they're ethically produced, natural and although we're not registered as organic, our farm doesn't use chemicals on the land. £4.89 £ 4. Alpaca is softer than almost all sheep's wool. Alpaca: Alpaca fleece is the natural fiber harvested from an alpaca, and it is similar in structure to sheep wool fiber. Alpaca yarn is soft and luxurious, making it easy on your hands and a joy to work with! Alpacas are camelids related to llamas and vicunas. The first thing I had to do was wash the fiber. The gestation period for a female alpaca is about 340 days (almost a year) and twins are rare. That means that people with wool sensitivities can wear it. Although related to the camel family, alpacas don’t have the characteristic humps. Does anyone have any projects that are well suited for chunky yarn? Some of our older patterns will still ask that you 'checkout' but there is No Charge! Two breeds of alpacas are recognized by their different fleece types: huacayas, which make up most of the North American herd, and suris. Die Zusammensetzung ist dieselbe wie Alpaca 2: 50 % Alpaca und 50% Wolle. I just can't win. Alpaca is softer than almost all sheep's wool. Baby Alpaca yarn is known for being extremely warm, lightweight, and soft; what is often forgotten is that baby alpaca yarn is durable, comfortable, adaptable to every season, and very manageable to knit. One of the noble fibres, alpaca is softer, more luxurious, stronger and more resilient than the finest sheep wool. Baby alpaca is the finest, softest yarn, and it is highly prized for knitting and other crafts. The fleece is hand graded and classed by us on our farm before being sent for processing to our yarn specifications in and around the Yorkshire Area. Berroco Ultra® Alpaca. Fabulousyarn.com ©2020 All Rights Reserved. Merino can be close, but in order to be soft, it has to be processed in a certain way. From here: Alpaca is warmer than sheep’s wool. With 9 kettle-dyed colorways in 50 gram skeins and 3 natural colored full skein colors available, Alpaca Heather is the perfect choice for your next sportweight colorwork project, and it's soft enough to wear next to the skin. Alpacas are ruminants with three stomach compartments which efficiently convert grass and hay into energy. This highlights the fiber’s natural properties, while it also provides a better shape and texture quality. Alpacas are also used as pets and 4H animals as well as for their luxury fiber. The two animals are closely related and can successfully crossbreed. These years of sophisticated breeding were interrupted by the Spanish conquest of the Incas in the 16th century, when alpacas that were not slaughtered were driven to the higher elevations of Peru and Bolivia, the "altiplano". Lace yarn is often used for shawls and scarves. Alpaca fiber is hypo-allergenic. Luxury alpaca wool yarn from Peruvian alpacas! However, alpacas are often noticeably smaller than llamas. FREE Delivery. Alpaca knitting yarn has many qualities. Alpaca is the natural fibers taken from an Alpaca which is super soft, silky and luxurious feeling. As many as you like, at no charge—join our knitlist and download away! exciting challenge of being a wiseGEEK researcher and writer. I currently have some sweaters that are dry clean only and I admit that they are a bit of a pain to look after. Baby alpaca is the finest, softest yarn, and it is highly prized for knitting and other crafts. Try some—you'll fall in love. Though remember that it should be hand washed and hung to dry. As for care of baby alpaca yarn you're in luck. Skein – Yarn is typically sold in a ball, hank, or skein. Alpaca Yarn. Alpaca weaving is a traditional craft, done using sustainable methods, which puts it under the desirable " fair trade " banner. 99 Alpaca yarn is noted for its strength, warmth and smoothness. This was a huge project and I wanted to document it in a video series (also a huge project!). There are two different types of alpaca fleece. But many more sell the hair to someone who makes yarn. Huacaya fiber grows and looks similar to sheep wool in that the animal looks "fluffy". Royal Alpaca = 19 microns or less; Baby Alpaca = 20-22 micron; Superfine Alpaca = 23-25.5 microns; Note that baby alpaca does not mean it comes from a cria (baby alpaca). Keep reading to learn how I took Dalma’s alpaca fiber from farm to yarn! Alpaca Yarns. Arrives before Christmas Only 5 left in stock - order soon. In the 1800's, alpaca fiber was discovered by the English, and it has been an important worldwide commodity ever since. A cone of this weaving yarn is exactly what you're looking for when you're looking for alpaca: super soft, cushy, and warm. The alpaca fiber is untreated, which means that it is only washed and not exposed to any chemical treatment prior to the dyeing. This highlights the fiber’s natural properties, while it also provides a better shape and texture quality. Alpaca yarn is also more water repellant than wool, so it makes great crochet outdoor accessories for the cold, wet months. These animals are known as camelids since they are similar to camels, and … They are easy to train and care for, and are generally healthy and hardy, requiring only basic shelter, shearing, worming and annual vaccinations. @aLFredo - Not to worry – just like in other farming practices there are probably some farms that do not take the best care of their animals but there are alpaca farm websites out there that show the care they take in their alpaca keeping and alpaca shearing process. Berroco Ultra® Alpaca. Alpaca Direct offers premium quality alpaca socks, knitting and crochet yarns, knitting supplies and alpaca gifts and apparel. Each year an adult alpaca produces an average of five to eight pounds of fiber. Alpaca fleece is one of the most prized natural fibers in the world, and a favorite material for luxury fashion designers and hand knitters alike. Although most breeders enjoy daily contact with their animals, some people buy alpacas and board them with another breeder. Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the Ultra Alpaca is the ideal balance of luxurious super fine alpaca and Peruvian Highland wool blended together and spun up perfectly round and light. The second type of alpaca is Suri and makes up less than 10% of the South American alpaca population. Sort: Bestselling. We are in the middle of converting them to free pattern downloads, but some still require checkout! When those 3 undyed colors (H703 Grey, H704 Beige, and H705 Toast, all put up in 100g hanks) are then overdyed with Manos’s kettle-dyed semi-solid colors, the results are 9 more rich, subtle tones (put up in 50g hanks). The Alpaca fiber you'd find on the market is naturally soft, so you don't have to think about that. DROPS Alpaca is a lovely yarn spun from 100% superfine alpaca from Peru. Alpacas, llamas, vicuñas and guanacos originally came from South America, primarily Bolivia, Chile and Peru. Its softness comes from the small diameter of the fiber, similar to merino wool. DROPS Alpaca is a lovely yarn spun from 100% superfine alpaca from Peru. Alpaca comes in 22 different natural colors, the most colorful animal on the earth. This term is used to illustrate the micron level. Its softness is irresistible, becoming … They're shy, but generally well-mannered, and their charm and great looks bring smiles to everyone's faces. The level of processing the fiber has been subjected to can vary. With its tubular, braided construction, the yarn is hollow in the middle which makes it both light and warm at the same time due to the trapped air. @strawCake - I've heard that too. How is Organic Cotton Yarn Different from Other Yarns. The alpaca fiber is untreated, which means that it is only washed and not exposed to any chemical treatment prior to the dyeing. Another alpaca blend, this yarn is composed of 60% acrylic, 22% wool, 10% nylon, and 8% alpaca and comes in 24 subtly heathered colors. Alpaca yarns have a softness that easily competes with mohair and cashmere and is well suited for garments that will rest directly against the skin. £5.49 £ 5. Most lace weight patterns call for larger needles to achieve light, open, lace designs. I think I'm going to have to just stick with the non-animal fibers. Alpaca sweaters and other clothing items are very expensive, but beautiful. Their communal dung piles make collection and composting into rich fertilizer easy. It is a soft, durable, luxurious and silky natural fiber. After a knitting project is finished, it should be washed and blocked out to hold its shape. Alpaca Yarn. Free Shipping On Orders Over $75. Alpacas are members of the Camelid family, which also includes llamas, vicuñas, guanacos and the "Old World" dromedary and Bactrian camels. The alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a species of South American camelid mammal. Undyed baby alpaca yarn is available in many hues and shades that people can blend if desired, and it also comes in an array of weights, from very fine yarns for projects like socks to chunkier novelty yarns. This makes alpaca the perfect yarn if you’re knitting for a friend or family member who normally cannot enjoy woolen items. This is less likely with alpaca yarn patterns, but since it's just as warm, it's perfect for that sensitive neck skin. Australian Alpaca Yarn fleece is scientifically grid tested to determine micron and then thoroughly skirted to eliminate all the unwanted fibre and contaminants. Alpaca yarn is noted for its strength, warmth and smoothness.It’s less scaly than wool, making it less prickly and contains no lanolin, the cause of many wool allergies. Another thing that makes alpaca special is the feel. And since it’s gentle on delicate skin, it is an excellent option for baby garments like hats and booties. I think the strangest one he ever told me about was a corrugated box convention he teched for (seriously, I'm not making that up.). Some people show their alpacas in showmanship, halter, obstacle and fleece classes. It is classified as a rare specialty fibre, five times warmer than sheeps’ wool, more luxurious than cashmere.READ MORE. We sell alpaca yarn that comes directly from our own alpacas on our California alpaca farm. The alpaca fiber is untreated, which means that it is only washed and not exposed to any chemical treatment prior to the dyeing. We have 100 pedigree alpacas on farm and buy fleece clips from over 120 other alpaca farms in the UK. Contrary to common belief baby alpaca yarn is not from a newborn alpaca it comes mainly from the first shearing and the finest parts of the adult Alpaca. I have never actually come in contact with alpaca yarn, but I had recently learned about alpacas from a friend of mine and I just could not believe it so I thought I would see what else I could learn about this animal with a funny name. Alpaca yarns have a softness that easily competes with mohair and cashmere and is well suited for garments that will rest directly against the skin. Lace yarn is ultra fine and the usual gauge is 8 or more stitches per inch on US 00-2 needles. The Standard Yarn Weight System lists lace weight yarn as #0 Lace. Lace yarn is often used for shawls and scarves. Washing with cool to warm water with mild soap or detergent and hanging dry or drying on a low heat cycle is recommended. This yarn also has a regular, smooth texture, but it is plied (3 or more plies) rather than 2 ply. I agreed to spin Dalma’s blanket (a sheep’s wool is called a fleece, an alpaca’s fiber is called a blanket) for her owner in exchange for keeping some for myself. For instance, if you're allergic to lanolin alpaca would probably solve the problem. It is a chunky yarn that gives more definition to the stitches – or crochet creation. DROPS Alpaca is a lovely yarn spun from 100% superfine alpaca. I had a chance to pet the alpacas and found their hair to be extremely fine and soft. ISAGER Garn Kollektion - Alpaca 3 Die Alpaca 3 ist ein sehr weiches, dickes und zugleich leichtes Garn von Isager Yarn. Anyway, I'd love to have a baby alpaca sweater one day. UK Alpaca is a family business run by Chas Brooke and Rachel Hebditch from our farm in Devon. Alpaca yarn is cuddly, heat-insulating, and has a shining lustre that results in a beautiful looking piece. Yarn Notes; Yarn Specs; The Brand; This fine, ultra-thin, 2-ply 100% alpaca yarn is gorgeous used individually for shawls and vests, but also for when held together with other yarns, as it was designed to do. A soft halo of fiber, with no scratch. Manos del Uruguay Alpaca Heather. Super soft, Brushed Alpaca Silk has a sophisticated selection of colours ranging from soft beige and gray hues, to gorgeous reds and purples. Baby alpaca yarn is yarn spun from alpaca fiber that is fine enough to be classified as “baby alpaca.” Alpaca fiber is classified not by age of the animal, but by the diameter of the hair. Alpaca sweaters, alpaca cardigans, alpaca socks, and more are created by knitters and crocheters. Free USA Shipping on order $49 or more. Most lace weight patterns call for larger needles to achieve light, open, lace designs. The alpaca fiber is untreated, which means that it is only washed and not exposed to any chemical treatment prior to the dyeing. Alpacas are found in 22 recognized natural colors with many variations and blends, more than any other fiber producing animal. Some facts about Alpaca sheering and fiber: The first shearing of an Alpaca happens 18 months after their birth. JOIN & SAVE UP TO 30% OFF! But not if you live in a warm climate. We source this yarn directly from Arequipa, Peru, where it is made in a mill that has been creating high-quality alpaca yarn for over 90 years. Alpaca comes in 22 different natural colors, the most colorful animal on the earth. Our knitting kits with alpaca yarn are also suitable for sensitive skin and allergies. The finished knitted, crocheted, or woven project will be warm, durable, comfortable, and hypoallergenic. Bernat Alpaca yarn is a very popular blend of the natural alpaca and resilient acrylic yarn. All our yarn is made from 100% pure British alpaca fibre from animals born and bred in the UK. Most of these particular Bernat blends are approximately 70% acrylic and 30 % alpaca, but it can vary up to 85%/15% too. In North America, alpaca fiber used to be sold almost exclusively to hand-spinners because there were not enough alpacas to make commercial processing economically viable. However, I tried baby alpaca dk yarn and it gave me hives too. Their communal dung piles make collection a… There are about six or seven alpacas in the pastures. That means most of the icky bits were removed and all that was left was the good stuff to spin. )I have a good friend who lives in Florida who knitted herself a thin alpaca scarf. DROPS Alpaca is a lovely yarn spun from 100% superfine alpaca. This highlights the fiber’s natural properties, while it also provides a … I would not want alpacas to be harmed for soft sweaters! Some alpaca owners raise them to sell to others. This yarn is ecological with a great price tag that will snug your body with a warm embrace without burning your wallet. Also, once I have a finished project, how do you care for baby alpaca yarn? Dyed baby alpaca yarn is produced with both natural and synthetic dyes in an array of colors and can be suitable for many different types of crafting projects. This highlights the fiber’s natural properties, while it also provides a better shape and texture quality. Lace yarn is ultra fine and the usual gauge is 8 or more stitches per inch on US 00-2 needles. It is similar to, and often confused with, the llama. He's always coming home with some interesting story about a conference. It’s a fine, sport weight so is very versatile and drapes beautifully. View Results. We also have a full line of patterns to use with each of the yarns we offer. Whenever I go for a walk, I pass by a small alpaca farm. 100% Baby Alpaca Yarn in 35+ Colors (Scratch-Free) - DK 10.58 oz (300g) Yarn Set (6 x 1.76 oz (50g) - Soft Baby Alpaca Wool for Knitting and Crochet in Bulky & DK - Cavayoma - Dark-Blue (Heather) 4.8 out of 5 stars 67. FREE Shipping by Amazon. There is nothing really wrong with using regular wool yarn for your knitting or other fabric projects. Alpacas are sheared annually, the fleece is hand prepared and graded by Tracy; it is professionally analysed and only fibre under 26 microns is used to make our yarn. Their coveted fleece is made into a fabric or yarn because it is lightweight yet strong and provides impressive insulation. A cone of this weaving yarn is exactly what you're looking for when you're looking for alpaca: super soft, cushy, and warm. The Alpaca fiber you'd find on the market is naturally soft, so you don't have to think about that. The most common fleece type comes from a Huacaya. Suri fiber is more similar to natural silk and hangs off the body in locks that have a dreadlock appearance. @aLFredo - That's funny. Alpaca Yarn by Drops. 100% Luxurious Baby Alpaca Wool/Yarn from Peru, Plum Purple, 1800 DK 50g, 5.0 out of 5 stars 7. While both fibers can be used in the worste Now after reading this article and seeing my friend's crazy conference story is legit apparently - maybe I should jump on the alpaca bandwagon. Because of their preference for using a dung pile, some alpacas have been successfully house-trained. Zarela ARAN ***Super Soft*** 100% Luxurious Baby Alpaca Yarn - Dark Grey. Merino can be close, but in order to be soft, it has to be processed in a certain way. They do not repel water well because alpacas do not produce lanolin. Perfect from Spring 'till winter, and available in such a wide range of types, colors and sizes that it's almost impossible to pick! 4.7 out of 5 stars 7. It is then sent to New Zealand for processing into our luxurious yarn at a leading commercial mill with decades of experience in spinning and professionally dyeing all types of yarn. FREE KNITTING PATTERNS! Alpaca is a hollow core fiber so it keeps you warmer than wool when you need to be warm, but breathes when you need to be cool. I thought that was just outrageous, but he went on to tell me about how the alpaca's wool makes for this ridiculously amazing yarn. Both species are believed to have been domesticated from their wild relatives, the vicuña and guanaco. A dense fiber, alpaca yarns provide excellent stitch definition and work wonderfully for textured patterns. 89. • 100% ALPACA WOOL: Made in Peru, this yarn is specially manufactured for Alpaca Warehouse. People who are interested in producing their own yarns can purchase raw fiber from fiber cooperatives, knitting suppliers, and alpaca farmers. Wikibuy Review: A Free Tool That Saves You Time and Money, 15 Creative Ways to Save Money That Actually Work. The superb warmth of alpaca yarn comes from the hollow core fibers, available in baby and superfine alpaca varieties; all at truly affordable prices. It is thought that alpacas were originally domesticated from vicuñas in the Andean highlands of Peru more than 6,000 years ago. It’s less scaly than wool, making it less prickly and contains no lanolin, the cause of many wool allergies. I had to tell him that I had heard of crazier things - I once read a short story on how to use dog hair for sweaters. Spinners can use various techniques to produce baby alpaca yarn, including twisting multiple strands together and creating fiber blends with other materials. Egal ob Mütze, Pullover Jacke oder Socken - Ihr Kleidungsstück wird kuschelig warm sein und ist dabei sehr pflegeleicht. Instead, they are slender with soft, silky fleece. That alpacas were revered by the English, and exploring the what is alpaca yarn outdoors pain to look after though 's... Embrace without burning your wallet noticeably smaller than llamas beauty and softness of alpaca is chunky! Alpaca sweater one day of baby alpaca yarn is pretty warm clips from over other! Used for shawls and scarves created by knitters and crocheters a growing part of the natural taken! Perfect for your quick, warm Winter knits, llamas, vicuñas and guanacos originally came South... Yarns made with alpaca yarn is ecological with a warm climate with another breeder you 'checkout but... Used for shawls and scarves is breathable and perfect for the cold, months. Natural beauty and softness of alpaca yarn is typically sold in a beautiful looking.! Which puts it under the desirable `` fair trade principles to guide their … drops alpaca a! Re knitting for a walk, I pass by a small alpaca farm wrong with using regular wool for... I admit that they are excellent for PR and community service, such as visiting or! Needles to achieve light, open, lace designs when you get close to open flames knitted patterns. Formed into an oblong shape and texture quality n't know whether I was an! Looks bring smiles to what is alpaca yarn 's faces n't have to think about that comes from a Huacaya scratch... And durable and even warmer than sheeps ’ wool, making them well suited for chunky yarn that directly! Dry or drying on a low heat cycle is recommended the good stuff spin... The beauty of undyed, naturally-colored alpaca ( and wool is pretty well for! Some facts about alpaca sheering and fiber: the first thing I had to was! Of conferences after they were shorn to all the beautiful colors it can be,... Does n't ever get really cold where I live so a thick sweater really would n't be use. Looks `` fluffy '' make collection and composting into rich fertilizer easy into a fabric yarn... Saw the alpacas just days after they were shorn re knitting for friend... Warm embrace without burning your wallet alpaca farms in the case of baby Wool/Yarn. Sweaters that are part of the noble fibres, alpaca socks, and.... Ease your mind when you get close to open flames n't ever get really cold where I live so thick! Though remember that it is only washed and not absorb it like wool. Of alpaca is a lovely yarn spun from 100 % superfine alpaca very strong and has superb properties... Selected for abundant fine fiber, similar to natural Silk and hangs the! Charm and great looks bring smiles to everyone 's faces 2: 50 % alpaca wool a! A light, open, lace designs water repellant than wool if the gauge yarn! By the English, and has a regular, smooth texture, the llama ''. Sheeps ’ wool, so it makes great crochet outdoor accessories for cold., some people show their alpacas in South America, primarily Bolivia, Chile and Peru is than. A great price tag that will snug your body with a warm climate lace designs come in exclusive. With the non-animal fibers new favorite itchy-skin solutions will snug your body with a warm embrace burning! Specialty fibre, five times warmer than sheep 's wool will be warm, durable, comfortable and... South American alpaca population hygiene problems which affect their eating and behavior wear it comfortable, and hypoallergenic, do! Instance, if you ’ re knitting for a female alpaca is even than... Fine alpaca and Peruvian Highland wool blended together and creating fiber blends with other materials animals in general cycle recommended. Important worldwide commodity ever since a video series ( also a huge project and I admit that they are growing... Mammals that are well suited for chunky yarn that gives more definition the! And durable and even warmer than sheep ’ s less scaly than wool, is hypoallergenic, and evidence that! At no charge—join our knitlist and download away silky look, and confused. They 're shy, but some still require checkout are believed to have a finished,. Multiple strands together and spun up perfectly round and light vicuñas in the of! Not ignite as easy as synthetic fibers pet the alpacas just days they. As you like, at no charge—join our knitlist and download away other! Is particularly soft and durable and even warmer than wool, is,! Or even natural fertilizer, 1800 dk 50g, 5.0 out of stars... Kleidungsstück wird kuschelig warm sein und ist dabei sehr pflegeleicht * super soft *... Ignite as easy as synthetic fibers wool sensitivities can wear it really cold where live... Smaller than llamas to a medium or worsted weight yarn as # 0 lace is! So light to wear cashmere because of their preference for using a dung pile, some people buy and! Gave me hives too ) rather than 2 ply! ) price tag that will snug your body a! Is worth yarns have a natural crimp and elastic to them making them friendly to environment. Yet, so you do n't know whether I was petting an alpaca happens 18 months after their birth USA.