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When temperatures drop, it's time to bring out the warm clothes! Whether it's a cardigan, a hat or mittens, all clothing is practical to warm up during this season. To easily fend off the cold, discover all the advantages and specificities of alpaca wool.
What is alpaca wool?
The alpaca is a domesticated mammal found mainly in the Andes but also bred in North America, Europe, and Australia. The alpaca is part of the small camelid family. About 90% of the world's alpacas are Huacaya. They originate from countries like:
Chile;
Peru;
Bolivia;
Argentina.
This animal is popular for its size. It is small and rarely exceeds 80 kilograms. Its ears are short and pointed.
Alpaca hair grows perpendicularly to the body. Every year, just before the summer, these small camelids are shorn. A very precious fibre, alpaca wool is softer, more durable and lighter than sheep's wool. It is a rare wool: it is estimated that 2.5 kilograms of hair are harvested per animal. The world production is more than 5,000 tonnes each year.
The advantages and specifics of alpaca wool
This material is very fine and soft. Its fineness ranges from 16 to 30 microns. It is good to know that the fleece of a young adult is of better quality, it is about 18/22 microns. Indeed, as the animal ages, it loses fineness and softness.
The harvested fibre is dry, unlike sheep's. It does not contain suint, which is the grease produced by the sheep's skin. This grease mixes with the sheep's wool, making it more humid.
The animal can have different natural shades. There are at least 22 different shades. You can find white, black or brown hair.
It is known for being a strong, elastic and warm fibre due to its different properties. For instance, it is popular for being hypoallergenic. It does not produce lanolin.
What can be knitted with alpaca wool?
To face the cold, it is necessary to equip yourself with some essentials! Due to its warm fibre, alpaca wool is the ideal choice. What are you waiting for to knit your favourite garment?
To go outside, dress with a sweater or cardigan in alpaca wool. For even more warmth, think about covering your head with a hat. Don't neglect the extremities of the body, so don't forget gloves and socks.
To stay warm, even at home, it's possible to opt for a shawl.
Caring for alpaca wool
To avoid damaging the material, it is recommended to hand wash in lukewarm water (between 10 to 20 degrees). Machine washing is possible but with a "wool" or "delicate" program. Our advice: use a gentle hair shampoo rather than detergent! or alternatively a "special wool" detergent.
For drying, it's best to choose flat drying in the open air, in the shade and away from any heat source. To prevent your waterlogged knits from deforming, lay them flat on a terry towel. With flat drying, you won't need to iron your knit, as the material doesn't wrinkle easily. Lastly, avoid hangers that can deform the knit of your cashmere.
