Alpaca fiber, is sorted into 22 colors, ranging from blacks through browns and whites, and including subtle shades of maroon & grays. Alpaca fiber can be blended into an infinite array of natural colors, including combinations that do not occur naturally. Alpaca fiber retains dyes without losing its sheen. Alpaca Fiber can be blended with other natural and/or synthetic fibers
Alpaca fiber is several times warmer than wool and much stronger. Alpaca fiber is as soft as Cashmere, but has a smoother surface and grain that can make the fiber feel even smoother and softer than Cashmere.
Fabrics made of alpaca fiber are unusually easy to care for and long-lived. Alpaca Fiber is rare – supply cannot keep up with demand for the fine quality fleece.
Alpacas are extremely mild mannered and easy to handle unless very threatened. They are extremely intelligent and curious as evidenced by their complex social and communication behavior.
Alpacas are a herd animal and can not be kept by themselves, you must have at least two animals. They communicate by humming and with body posture. Generally they seem to humm more if they are for some reason uneasy or unsure about something, or when they are curious about something, like a new person, or animal on the farm.
The weight range for alpacas is between 140 and 220 lb. with the average male being around 180 lb. with head height around 5 feet.
The life span in South America is around 18 years but with a better diet in the US they are typically exceeding 20 years.
They have soft padded, earth-friendly feet and a non-aggressive personality.
Alpacas were first imported to the United States in 1984, but are no longer allowed to be imported to protect the quality of the blood line and thus the quality of the fiber (alpaca fleece).
Archaeologists have discovered a great deal of alpaca fiber goods from graves and religious sites predating the Inca Empire in South America… a true testament to the durability of alpaca fiber.
A cherished treasure of the ancient Incan civilization, Alpacas are found in the Andes where Chile, Peru and Bolivia meet.
After meeting one, we found that they were friendly, even cheerful animals. They’re somewhat like pets in that they are playful, curious and generally fun to be around. It was quite an experience to be able to meet the animal that donated her fiber for a couple of Karen’s handbags.