Alpaca Fiber

Characteristics And Uses of Alpaca Fiber

Alpaca fiber is unusually strong and resilient. The strength of the fiber does not diminish as it becomes finer, thus making it ideal for industrial processing
Raised at high altitudes in freezing cold, the alpaca has developed more thermal capacity in its fiber that almost any other animal. The fiber contains microscopic pockets of air which create lightweight garments with high insulation value.
Alpaca is soft, supple and smooth to the touch. The cellular structure of the fiber produces a soft handle unmatched by most other specialty fibers.
Alpaca is easily dyed any color and always retain its natural luster.
Alpaca has a natural, rich luster which gives garments made from 100% alpaca high visual appeal.
Alpaca is compatible with either woolen or worsted manufacturing systems. Fabric made from alpaca can range from bulky tweed to fine gabardine.
People who own alpaca sweaters will find they practically last forever. Alpaca does not easily tear, pill, stain or create static. It is easily cleaned.

Characteristics And Uses of Alpaca Fiber

Alpaca fiber has a cellular structure similar to hair. It is more resilient and much stronger that merino sheep wool. Prized for its unique silky feel and superb handle, it is highly sought after by the textile makers of Britain, Europe and Japan.

Alpaca fiber comes in an extraordinary variety of natural colors from pure white fawn, to a range of browns and true jet black. Colors then shade out in grays from steel blue to pale silver and vibrant rose. The worldwide fiber market recognizes approximately 22 natural colors of Alpaca's.

Alpaca's should be shorn every year. Annual fiber yield is about 5 pounds from a single female and more than 8 pounds from a larger male. Cria, or baby fiber, the first clip from a young alpaca, commands a premium for its extra-fineness and lustrous feel.

Alpaca fiber can be made into garments of beautiful natural colors and shades. These luxurious garments have the look and feel of cashmere. When desired, the fiber is readily dyed and is sometimes mixed with sheep wool, mohair or silk. The result is a superb handling, lightweight fabric that is exceptional in shape, wear ability and thermal properties. Most people wear pure alpaca sweaters next to their skin.

Why Alpaca?

Close your eyes and caress your check with the soft touch of a baby alpaca sweater. See the luster and glow of a fine woman's suit made from alpaca fabric. Feel the warmth of a cozy alpaca overcoat as you walk through the falling snow. This is why people prefer alpaca.

Alpaca incorporates the finest features of the world's nature fibers. It is soft as cashmere and warmer and stronger than wool. Alpaca fleece grows longer and faster than that of camel or vicuna and it comes in more nature colors than any other animal fiber on earth.

The rarity of alpaca is its only limitation. The world produces less alpaca fiber than almost any other fiber type. Of commercially recognized fibers, only vicuna, the alpaca's ancestor, is more rare. The Incan kings recognized the alpaca's unique qualities and reserved its cloth for the exclusive use of their royal court.

Today's consumer searches for high quality, environmentally sound products made of naturally renewable resources. The alpaca provides fiber, just as it has for thousands o years, to create warm, colorful garments, soft to the touch. Classically styled alpaca sweaters and suits last for generations

The History Of Alpaca Fiber

Alpacas are a domesticated member of the camel (camelid) family. The camelid family also includes llamas, guanacos, and vicunas from South America, and the Bactrian and Dromedary camels from Asia and Africa. This family of animals originated on the plains of North America about 10 million years ago. A common ancestor to the South American camelids migrated to South America about 2.5 million years ago. Two wild species, vicunas and guanacos, emerged. They still live in the Andes. It is believed that about 6,000 years ago alpacas were created through selective breeding which was heavily influenced by the vicuna. There are similarities in size, fiber, and dentition (teeth) between the alpaca and the wild vicuna.

The first known record of alpacas are in the drawings on the walls of caves found high in the Andean Mountains. Alpaca's were the domestic cattle of South America, perhaps the world's first domestic animals. They became the foundation of a prosperous civilization living high above sea level. Fiber from alpaca was uniquely suited to clothe the Andean Indians in their harsh environment.

The Incas conquered the Indians and captured their precious "cattle". Alpacas became the basis of wealth for the Incan society. Even after the Spanish conquered Peru, the alpaca was considered legal tender, or money, by its Indian population.

The South American alpacas, numbering about 3.5 million, are raised today in the Andes Mountains at very high elevations. They were moved from the lower pastures of the Puno Baja to the high altitude of the Puno Alta by the conquering Spaniards to make room for Spain's merino sheep. The available pastures are limited in size and carrying capacity. As a result, the South American alpaca population has not grown to meet the potential demand for its fleece.

In 1984, the first alpacas were imported to the U.S. from Chile and Bolivia. In 1993, the first Peruvian stock made its way to the United States. Since the major first importation into the U.S. in 1984, the North American herd has increased from a few alpacas in zoos and private collections to about 20,000. Alpacas are popular internationally for their luxury fiber and as pet, show, and investment.

The U.S. has been extremely fortunate to import the finest quality bloodstock found in Chile, Bolivia and Peru. The future for alpacas outside of South America has been considerably brightened by the generosity of the South American alpaca breeders and their government.

Alpaca Fashion Applications

A prominent garment publication once illustrated the desirability of products made from alpaca by offering the following descriptions of alpaca products:

"Soft and luxurious"

"Lightweight warmth"

"Silky Smooth"

Warmer, lighter and more durable than cashmere"

"Sensuous"

Alpaca produces beautiful yarns, either hand spun or machine made. Alpaca's long staple length makes it ideal for processing as either woolen or worsted yarns. Manufacturers also like to blend alpacas with cashmere mohair, silk, cotton and wool.

Many qualities are used o determine a fiber's value. Factors such as handle, luster, crimp and fineness are used to evaluate an alpaca's fleece. Alpaca's end products can range from incredibly soft sweaters, high quality cloth blankets and even felted items to upholstery and rugs, which can be made from the course fiber. Luxury garments such as sweaters, shawls and even lace are made with the inert alpaca fiber.

The fashion houses of Italy often create specialty scarves and shawls from baby alpaca. Some of the highest quality men's suits found in Europe are made from lightweight alpaca yarn. Any clothing made from wool is improved when recreated in alpaca. Alpaca versatility is limited only by the fashion designer's imagination.