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10 Fascinating Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know About Alpacas

May 5, 2017 Tags: alpaca blanket, alpaca knitting wool, alpaca wool yarn, alpacas, baby alpaca, baby alpaca throws 1 Comment

These funny-looking creatures are becoming a common sight peering over hedges or trotting around farms, and they have long provided us with their exquisite yarn. From baby alpaca throws to couture high fashion garments, alpaca wool is loved for its incredible strength and its delightful softness. Here are 10 things you (probably) didn’t know about alpacas.

1.Alpacas are a species of domesticated camelid originating in the high Andean plains of South America, but are now kept and bred in over 17 different countries worldwide. This is due to their fabulous yarn and the fact that they are pretty low-maintenance animals.

2.There are two types of alpaca: the huacaya (mainly used in woollen processes, for clothes and textiles) and the suri (which has a fleece more suited to worsted weights used in suiting and coats).

3. Alpaca wool fibre comes in 22 natural colours, making them the most colour-diverse animals used by humans.

4.The super softness of the yarn comes from the fact that each fibre has fewer scales than sheep’s wool. This also gives alpaca wool its lustre and smooth-to-touch surface.

5. Sir Titus Salt first introduced alpacas into the British market in 1836, and the yarn was very popular with well-to-to Victorians.

6. The average alpaca produces 2.4kg of fibre each year and they live for around 15-20 years.

7. Archaeologists have discovered alpaca mummies dating back to the 15th Century

8. You can take alpacas for walks, treks and sponsor them. Here’s our friend Ali walking Timmy the Alpaca in the middle of Storm Doris.

9. A baby alpaca is called a cria. Our baby alpaca throws are not made from the fleece of crias, it is just the name given to the extra-fine fibres we use.

10. Alpaca wool was originally used for Incan royalty. It retains its luxurious reputation to this day, whilst also being a practical yarn. Which is why we love it.

For more about the benefits of different types of wool, go here. And to find out about walking an alpaca try here.

Feeling Warm and Cozy with Alpaca Wool

September 12, 2012 Tags: alpaca blanket, alpaca blankets, alpaca throw, alpaca throws, alpaca wool, alpaca wool blanket, alpaca wool blankets, alpaca wool throw, alpaca wool throws, alpaca wool yarn No Comments

Every autumn and winter, lots of people look for at least one or two additional layers to put on in order to keep warm and stay healthy. Very often a layer of those is made from wool – sheep wool. Unfortunately, it is apparent that most people have never heard of alpaca wool, angora wool or cashmere wool.

Alpaca animal resembles a llama and both originated in the southern Andes, areas that today are part of Peru and Bolivia. In later years alpacas have been most successfully exported to many other countries – e.g. the United States, Australia, and are now bred for their exquisite wool.

Alpaca Throws for Cozy and Stylish Home

March 29, 2012 Tags: alpaca throws, alpaca wool, alpaca wool yarn, blakets wool, blanket wool, wool blanket, wool blankets, wool fabrics, wool fiber, wool fleece, wool throw, wool throws, wool yarn No Comments

It is difficult nowadays to imagine a home without a wool throw or two. Although many types of wool are used in wool blankets and throws production, alpaca throws are considered among the best. Apart from superb qualities of alpaca wool, alpaca throws are appreciated for their smoothness and elegant looks.

alpaca-throws-color

You can read about the qualities of alpaca wool yarn in one of our previous articles. But in short – alpaca wool is collected from a South American animal alpaca that is grown in the Andes specifically for their high quality fiber which had been used for textile items and clothing for ages.

Introducing wool types (3): alpaca wool

January 24, 2012 Tags: alpaca knitting wool, alpaca wool, alpaca wool blanket, alpaca wool prices, alpaca wool sweater, alpaca wool yarn, baby alpaca wool, wool, wool and yarn, wool fleece, wool shop, wool shops, wool types, wool yarn, wool yarns 1 Comment

Let’s talk about alpaca wool today. Alpaca wool yarn is a natural fiber that is harvested from an alpaca – South American camelid and resemble a small llama (see picture).

Alpacas are bred specifically for their quality fibers.