It all started with a glance, or the big world of small alpacas.
Why did alpaca yarn steal my heart?
A guide to the types of alpacas and their fleece:
Many people ask me how it happened that knitting became my daily routine. The answer is simple and... incredibly charming. It all started with one look into those big, trusting eyes and the smiling face of an alpaca. It was love at first sight! Even before I knew how to knit a knit stitch, I already knew I wanted to create with this extraordinary fiber.
However, alpaca is so much more than just a cute appearance. It is the "Gold of the Andes," which technically surpasses most synthetic and natural fibers.
Suri or Huacaya – what’s hiding in your sweater?
In the knitting world, we distinguish between two main types of these animals, and the difference in their fleece determines what we should knit from them:
- Huacaya (pronounced wah-kai-ya): These are the fluffy "stuffed animals" that make up about 90% of the population. Their fleece grows perpendicular to the skin, is dense, crimped, and very fluffy. The yarn made from them is elastic, holds stitch structure (e.g., braids) well, and is perfect for warm, thick sweaters and hats.
- Suri:They are much rarer and look as if they have long, silky dreadlocks. Suri fleece is not crimped but straight and shiny. The yarn is incredibly smooth, heavy, and drapes beautifully. If you dream of an elegant, shiny shawl or a luxurious coat that flows beautifully with every movement – Suri will be unbeatable.
Why is alpaca fiber so unique?
Before you choose a skein for your next project, it’s worth knowing these facts:
- Thermal insulation with a hollow core:Unlike sheep’s wool, alpaca fiber is hollow (it contains microscopic air pockets). This makes it lighter and significantly warmer. In winter, it keeps you warm perfectly, and on warmer days, it allows your skin to breathe.
- No lanolin – a paradise for allergy sufferers:Alpaca does not produce lanolin (animal wax). It is often responsible for the "itchiness" of wool and allergic reactions. Because of this, alpaca fleece is hypoallergenic and can be worn directly against the skin.
- Steel-like strength: Alpaca fiber is incredibly strong and resistant to stretching. A well-knit sweater made from high-quality alpaca is an investment for decades – it doesn’t pill as quickly as sheep wool and retains its luster for years.
- Natural fire resistance:Alpaca is difficult to ignite and does not melt when in contact with fire, making it one of the safest natural fibers.
Baby Alpaca – is it yarn from a baby?
I often encounter this myth! The name "Baby Alpaca" is a trade term referring to the thickness of the fiber, not the age of the animal. For the fiber to bear this name, its diameter must fall within the range of 20-22.5 microns. This is the softest part of the fleece, collected from areas where it is the softest. For comparison – human hair has a diameter of about 50-100 microns!
Knitting with alpaca is pure joy that teaches respect for nature and precision.
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