Alpaca Fiber 101
Alpaca Fiber Properties Make It "The
Gold Standard"
People ask a lot of questions about alpaca fiber. Alpaca
fiber is considered a luxury fiber due to its properties of
being very fine and lightweight while being exceptionally
warm. It is also relatively rare on the world market due in
part to the small number of alpacas producing fiber globally.
However, the number of productive animals is on the rise as
alpacas are being bred and raised in more countries each year.
Parted fleece on the back of an alpaca
Alpaca is known for its great warmth (reported to be 5x warmer
than sheep wool), the fineness and length of staple, with
a year of growth commonly being about 5-6 inches (12-15 cm).
It also has excellent crimp, with individual fibers usually
showing crinkle (like a chemically treated "permanent
wave" in human hair).
THE RARE SPECIALTY FIBER
Scarcity or rarity is the primary determinant in defining
a specialty fiber. Wool is not considered a specialty fiber
do to its abundance. Alpaca fleece is valuable because it
combines so many positive, commercial attributes into one
fiber. There are no negative characteristics to be found in
the alpaca's fleece. It is found naturally in 22 distinct
colors, which can also be blended to produce an infinite array
of natural colors.
The fiber from alpaca 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 than almost any other animal.
The fiber contains microscopic air pockets which create lightweight
garments with high insulation values. 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 fleece produces a high yield of clean fiber after
processing: 87 to 95 percent for alpaca versus 43 to 76 percent
for sheep's wool. Alpaca is easier and less expensive to process
than sheep's wool due to its lack of grease or lanolin, and
it does not have to be de-haired like cashmere or camel. Alpaca
fiber can be scoured or cleaned without using costly chemicals.
Scouring is the actual washing of dirt and foreign matter
from the alpaca fleece. It is usually done in a lukewarm,
neutral solution, followed by clear-water rinses.
Alpacas produce a fine fiber with an absence of guard hair
in their prime fleece. Their fiber has a natural, rich luster
which gives garments made from 100% alpaca high visual appeal.
It is easily dyed any color and always retains its natural
luster. Fabric made from alpaca can range from bulky tweeds
to fine gabardine. Those who own alpacas sweaters will find
they practically last forever. This fiber does not easily
tear, pill, stain or create static and it is easily cleaned.
Alpaca Yarn
Alpaca produces beautiful yarns, either handspun or machine
made. The long staple length makes it ideal for processing
as either woolen or worsted yarns. Manufacturers also like
to blend alpaca with cashmere, mohair, silk, cotton and wool.
These blends make into exquisite luxury garments.
Awareness of the unique quality of alpaca fiber is increasing
with the worldwide recognition gained from promotional efforts
of breeders in the U.S., Canada and Australia. With selective
breeding techniques, better animal husbandry and nutritional
care, fiber fineness will improve and fleece weight per animal
will increase. The terms luxury and alpaca are becoming synonymous.
The treasure, which the Incas harvested from the back of the
mystical alpaca, will soon be enjoyed by discerning consumers
everywhere.
Many Natural Colors And Terrific To Dye
Alpacas come in a terrific array of colors which have been
categorized into 22 distinct color groups, from white and
light fawn through many shades of silver and rose gray to
dark brown, maroon and black. Alpaca fiber in lighter color
categories also takes dye well, leading to many bright true
colors and diverse hues.
Alpacas do not need routine grooming. In fact,
most breeders leave the fiber alone until it is time to shear
to minimize the disturbance of lock formation. Before shearing
a bit of special attention will pay off in the quality of
your clip. The first step is to keep alpacas on clean, dry
pastures for at least two weeks before shearing day, if this
is possible.
Article courtesy of C R Alpacas
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