Alpaca
Fibre from alpacas, mainly in the Peruvian Andes. It's warm, lustrous and lanolin-free, which many people find less itchy than wool.
How it’s made
- 1Shorn once a year, then sorted by fineness ('baby alpaca' is a fineness grade, not baby animals).
- 2Washed (no lanolin to remove), spun and knitted or woven.
What to look for
- Baby or royal alpaca grades for next-to-skin knits
- Blends with wool for structure
Pros
- Warm
- Lustrous
- Low lanolin
Cons
- Can shed and 'halo'
- Garments can grow or stretch when hung
Typical use
- Streetwear:
- Sweaters, beanies.
Sustainability
Alpacas have soft padded feet and graze relatively gently. Supply chains are often smallholder-based.