Sep 17th 2019

Benefits of Alpaca Fiber (Part 1)

Today's consumer searches for high-quality, environmentally sound products made of naturally renewable resources. Alpaca fiber is rising in popularity because of its many benefits. Here are just a few of the many benefits of alpaca fiber.

  1. Not harmful to the alpacas

 Alpaca fiber comes directly from alpacas, but they are not harmed at all in the process. Alpacas are shorn, without harm, every twelve to eighteen months. An adult alpaca might produce 50 to 90 oz. of first-quality fiber as well as 50 to 100 oz. of second and third quality fiber. Some alpacas already achieve, or exceed, these levels.

2. Wrinkle resistant

Alpaca fiber is a great material to use for clothing or accessories because it is wrinkle resistant. No more worrying about irons or steamers because your clothes and accessories will always stay in perfect condition. This makes for easy traveling and also gives you the ability to pull together last minute outfits with little to no preparation.

3. Hypoallergenic

Alpaca fiber does not contain lanolin and is also hypoallergenic. Many people who have issues with wool or other fibers find that alpaca fiber does not irritate them or cause itching. This is a great benefit for people who want to wear soft clothes, but are allergic to wool and other fibers. Alpaca fiber also has a very low “prickle factor” making it softer and overall less irritating to your skin.

4. Very light and very warm

Alpaca fiber is both very light and very warm. It keeps you cozy in the winter months without weighing you down. It’s just as warm as wool but only a third of the weight. Staying warm without having to be weighed down by your clothing makes such a difference in the colder months.

5. Wide variety of colors

Alpacas come in many different shades and colors. This gives more options when it comes to picking a color for your clothing or accessories. There are 23 recognized natural colors which accept both natural plant based and acid dyes. This makes the options endless. 

6. Won’t Mat or Pill

Alpaca fiber does not mat or pill like many other items of clothing or soft accessories. Alpaca fiber stays in good condition even as time goes on. This makes clothing and accessories made of alpaca fiber a good investment because it will last for a long time to come.

Alpaca fiber offers many different benefits and makes the option of buying alpaca fiber over any other material an easy decision. Companies like Four Acres Living sell alpaca products and yarn that can be shipped anywhere in the world.