100% Peruvian Huacaya, Suri Alpaca, Royal Alpaca, Baby Alpaca, Eco Alpaca, Brushed, Bouclé, Trendy Blends

Photo © Southern Alpacas

Alpaca is a natural wool derived from the long silky fleece of Alpaca. The Alpaca is a large domesticated mammal of the South American camelid family, which also includes the Llama, Vicuña, and Guanaco. Alpaca is traditionally a natural yarn, but can also be manufactured from rayon and cotton mixes.

There are two types of Alpaca fibers: the Huacaya, which is crimpy and quite dense, and the Suri - the straighter, longer, and more lustrous. Alpaca fiber is softer, warmer, and stronger than sheep wool, yet is light weight. Huacaya alpacas comprise approximately 90% of the alpaca polpulation, and the Suri are the remaining 10%. "Similar to other species, there is crossbreeding between Huacayas and Suri. Sometimes these unions make a beautiful babies like the Goldendooodle!"

Alpaca fiber comes in over 20 natural shades, has a high luster and takes dye very well. Alpaca is popular for use in sweaters and other clothing, as it does not have the itchiness of sheep wool. "Suri, because of its distinct lack of crimp and comparatively long length is ideally suited for worsted spun yarn used in making suits. These beautiful Armani suits made of alpaca come from Suris." References: Wild Fibers, and All Fiber Arts.

CulturalExpeditions.com »

• Known facts: In the Incan civilization, alpaca fiber was a status symbol and was prized as a trade item. The finer grades of alpaca were reserved for the Incan nobility. Peruvian alpaca is even rarer than cashmere. When the Incan civilization ended, the llama and alpaca populations diminished. South America has revitalized the population and has recently allowed alpacas to be exported. Alpacas were first imported into North America in 1983. Find out more »

• Alpaca-Surfer - an exclusive from The Globe and Mail /In Photos (March 16, 2010). Peruvian surfer Domingo Pianezzi rides a wave with his alpaca Pisco at San Bartolo beach in Lima. Photo © PILAR OLIVARES/REUTERS. Enlarge

" They bless them at birth and protect them at night. They adorn them with ribbons and shear their soft fleeces. They give thanks to the gods, the sun, the moon, and then they eat them." The sweet-faced alpaca became the favourite child of Incas. Considered so deeply sacred, the alpaca fiber was crafted only by specially designated courtiers. Today, despite a growing global emphasis on fair-trade everything, Peru's alpaca shepherds are ironically among poorest people in the land... Gold of the Andes, Alpaca History »

Alpaca Lace, Estelle Alpaca Dégradé, Lang Alpaca Superlight, Lang Arequipa, Estelle Astral, The AYCo. Baby Silk Lace, Estelle Classic Alpaca, The AYCo.

Classic Alpaca Baby EcoDuo, Cascade Ecological Alpaca, Estelle Glimmer, The AYCo. Halo, The AYCo. Joya, The AYCo. Leisure Bulky, Cascade

Paca de Seda, The AYCo. Snuggle, The AYCo. Super Alpaca, Estelle Suri Elegance , The AYCo. Swizzle, The AYCo.

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100% Suri and Blends

SURI ELEGANCE by The Alpaca Yarn Co. FIBRE: 100% Suri Alpaca YARN WEIGHT: Lace TENSION: 7 sts = 1" NEEDLES: from 2.25 mm (US No.1) LENGTH: approx. 800 m / 875 yards HANK WEIGHT: 100g * hand wash | made in Peru

HALO by The Alpaca Yarn Co. FIBRE: 78% Brushed Suri Alpaca, 22% Nylon Microfiber YARN WEIGHT: Lace TENSION: 1" = 5.5 sts NEEDLES: 2.5 - 5 mm (US No.3-8) LENGTH: approx. 500 m / 514 yards BALL WEIGHT: 50g * hand wash | made in Peru

100% Baby Alpaca

BABY SILK LACE by Estelle FIBRE: 70% Baby Alpaca, 30% Mulberry Silk YARN WEIGHT: Lace TENSION: 28 sts = 4" NEEDLES: 3 mm (US No. 2-1/2) LENGTH: 400 m / 438 yards SKEIN WEIGHT: 50g * hand wash | made in Peru

CLASSIC ALPACA BABY by The Alpaca Yarn Co. FIBRE: 100% Baby Alpaca YARN WEIGHT: Double Knit TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 20 sts/ 24 rows, 5.5 sts = 1" NEEDLES: 4 mm (US No.6) LENGTH: approx. 99 m / 110 yards SKEIN WEIGHT: 50g * hand wash | made in Peru

ECO DUO by Cascade FIBRE: 70% Undyed Baby Alpaca, 30% Undyed Merino YARN WEIGHT: Aran / Light Chunky TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 18 sts / 22 rows NEEDLES: 5 mm (US No.7-8) LENGTH: approx. 180 m / 197 yards HANK WEIGHT: 100g * hand wash | made in Peru

GLIMMER by The Alpaca Yarn Co. FIBRE: 97% Baby Alpaca, 3% Lurex YARN WEIGHT: Sport TENSION: 7 sts = 1" NEEDLES: 3.25 - 3.5 mm (US No. 3-4) LENGTH: approx. 177 m / 183.5 yards SKEIN WEIGHT: 50g * hand wash | made in Peru

JOYA by The Alpaca Yarn Co. FIBRE: 96% Baby Alpaca, 4% Nylon YARN WEIGHT: Fancy TENSION: 1" = 3 sts on 5.5 mm NEEDLES: 4.5- 5.5 mm (US No.7-9) LENGTH: approx. 69 m / 75 yards BALL WEIGHT: 50g * hand wash | made in Peru

100% Alpaca Superfine

ALPACA LACE by Estelle FIBRE: 100% Alpaca Superfine YARN WEIGHT: Lace TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 28 sts / 36 rows NEEDLES: 2.75 mm (US No. 0-1) LENGTH: approx. 400 m / 419 yards HANK WEIGHT: 50g * hand wash | made in Peru

CLASSIC ALPACA by The Alpaca Yarn Co. FIBRE: 100% Superfine Alpaca YARN WEIGHT: Double Knit TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 20 sts/ 24 rows, 5.5 sts = 1" NEEDLES: 4 mm (US No.6) LENGTH: approx. 99 m / 110 yards SKEIN WEIGHT: 50g * hand wash | made in Peru

ECOLOGICAL ALPACA by Estelle FIBRE: 100% Alpaca Superfine Undyed YARN WEIGHT: Chunky TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 16 sts / 22 rows NEEDLES: 6 mm (US No.9) LENGTH: approx. 100 m / 111 yards BALL WEIGHT: 100g * hand wash | made in Peru

SUPER ALPACA by Estelle FIBRE: 100% Superfine Alpaca YARN WEIGHT: Chunky TENSION: 10x10cm (4"): 16 sts / 22 rows NEEDLES: 6 mm (US No.9) LENGTH: approx. 100 m / 111 yards BALL WEIGHT: 100g * hand wash | made in Peru

SWIZZLE by The Alpaca Yarn Co. FIBRE: 100% Superfine Alpaca YARN WEIGHT: Worsted TENSION: 1" = 5 sts NEEDLES: 4 - 4.5 mm (US No.6-7) LENGTH: approx. 200 m / 215 yards HANK WEIGHT: 100g * hand wash | made in Peru

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