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Alpaca

The Rare Fibers of Alpaca

If someone were to tell me they had found a fiber that was silky and soft, yet never pilled nor showed its age, I would be skeptical. Yet these characteristics perfectly describe Alpaca, making it the darling of foreign fashion designers. Exported from only two countries, Peru and Bolivia, we travel to South America year after year to offer this rare and valuable fiber in the form of sweaters, hats and more. While typically more expensive than wool, Alpaca’s silky feel and amazing durability make it a great value that will stay beautiful for many years to come.

The Origin of Alpaca

Alpaca is a durable fiber that comes from a New World branch of the camel family that lives in the Andes Mountains at altitudes of 11,000 to 16,000 feet.

Alpacas, however, are anything but wild; they have been bred over the course of millennia, probably from their smaller cousin, the vicuña. Their fur has been a trade item in the Andes for thousands of years, as high-altitude cultures like Tihuanaco and the Incas traded it with hotter coastal cultures below.

The Royal Fiber of the Incas

During the Inca Empire (1200 AD-1532 AD), only the royal family could use clothing made of alpaca. In those days, alpaca was woven into tight rectangles of colorful cloth, which were in turn draped or wrapped around the body, or sometimes joined into tunics. Knitting did not exist, but examples of masterfully crocheted four-cornered hats are still found in Inca graves.

Alpaca Care

Alpaca should be cared for exactly like wool, but more attention should be paid to not stretching or hanging it. Since alpaca fiber is not as crimped as wool it tends to be less elastic. Alpaca sweaters should be neatly folded and treated well, like any fine clothing. Indian Market sweaters are extremely tough and can be treated like any wool sweater.

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The New Evolution of Alpaca

Although the Peruvian textile authorities classify alpaca fur into 42 natural colors from white to black, in the twenty-five years we’ve been in business we’ve watched the old natural-toned market sweaters nearly disappear. Instead, Peruvian and Bolivian manufacturers work with designers from Europe and the United States, using a pallet of hundreds of colors. Companies use embroidery, crochet and complex knitting techniques to add visual interest, and some sweaters are even reversible!

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