Alpaca Yarn - 7 Reasons to Use it in Your Next Project

You have probably heard of alpaca yarn, but why should you use it in your next knitted or crocheted handmade project? Seven reasons. It is softer, warmer, stronger, and more lustrous than sheeps' wool, hypoallergenic, hand washable, and comes in 22 natural colors.

Let's take a look at those seven reasons individually.

1. What makes alpaca softer? The low micron count (a measurement of fineness) means the fiber is soft. Animal fibers have scales on the outside of the fiber. Alpaca scales are smaller and overlap less than wool. There are fewer scales in alpaca as compared to sheeps' fiber. This makes alpaca smoother. Smoother yarn means less "itch" factor. Therefore, alpaca is softer than wool.

2. Alpaca fiber has microscopic pockets that trap air creating excellent insulating properties. This makes alpaca warmer than wool. Seven times warmer!

3. As strong as synthetic fibers, projects made with alpaca last a long time.

4. Your projects will shine. Due to the smoothness mentioned above, alpaca yarn has greater luster than wool.

5. Alpaca contains no lanolin. Most people allergic to wool are allergic to the lanolin in sheeps' wool. So, people allergic to wool can pretty much wear alpaca with no problems. No lanolin makes alpaca lighter in weight than wool, too.

6. Your project made with alpaca yarn can be hand washed. No need to dry clean.

To wash an alpaca garment, fill a tub or sink with lukewarm water and a small amount of liquid dish soap. Put the project in the tub or sink and let it soak for 20-30 minutes. Drain the water and gently squeeze the garment. Remove it from the tub or sink. Do not let it stretch. Refill the tub or sink with lukewarm water with a small amount of white vinegar. Let it soak for 20 minutes. Drain the tub or sink and gently squeeze the water out of the item. Again, take care not to stretch the garment. Place it between towels and squeeze out excess water. Lay it on a flat surface and let it air dry away from direct sunlight.

7. Although alpaca easily takes dye, there are 22 natural colors to choose from. What could be more organic than using only natural colors? No need to worry about dyes bleeding or fading.

For a truly special, durable project that anyone can wear, why not give alpaca yarn a try?

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Comments on this article:

» left by susan from newfoundland (1 year 163 days ago.)

My father who is ashtmatic is 80 years old. He has knitted for years and still enjoys it. The trouble is, the small fibres gets into his lungs and prevents him from knitting now as it affects his breathing. Would this type of wool (alpaca) be suitable for him do you think? I would appreciate your comment on this matter, as I would love to help him keep doing something that he enjoys.
Thanks in advance for you answer.
Susan Lawrence
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» left by Debby McCandless ⁽⁶⁴¹⁾ (1 year 163 days ago.)
Hi Susan,
Alpaca wool is very fine. I do not know anyone that is asthmatic and am not sure, but I would think that any fiber used for knitting, including alpaca wool, could have small fibers break off just from the mechanical handling that could possibly affect his breathing. To err on the side of safety for your father, I would not recommend it unless he has some way to keep fibers out of his lungs. Is it possible to use a dust mask while knitting to stop the fibers from getting into his lungs? Maybe you could check with a physician to find out if this would be a solution or if there is some other kind of mask that would make it possible like ones used to keep out asbestos fibers. Maybe he could have a room where only knitting was done so that the fibers are contained in that room (with a closed door) and not the rest of the house so that would be the only place he had to wear the mask. I hope you find some way to let him continue with the knitting he enjoys so much. Good luck.
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