Why choose alpaca? Things you need to know about your alpaca sweater.
Alpaca wool is a natural fiber harvested from alpacas—gentle, domesticated animals native to the Andes Mountains in South America, especially Peru and Bolivia. It’s known for being exceptionally soft, warm, lightweight, and durable, making it a prized material for clothing, especially sweaters, scarves, and accessories.
Alpaca Wool qualities:
- Softness: Often compared to cashmere, alpaca wool is silky and smooth to the touch, without the itchiness of regular sheep’s wool.
- Warmth: It provides excellent insulation, even better than sheep’s wool, due to the hollow structure of the fibers.
- Lightweight: Despite its warmth, alpaca wool is incredibly light and breathable.
- Hypoallergenic: Unlike sheep’s wool, alpaca wool doesn’t contain lanolin, making it a better option for people with wool allergies or sensitive skin.
- Durability: The fibers are naturally strong and resistant to pilling and tearing, meaning garments last longer.
- Eco-Friendly: Alpacas are low-impact animals, and the wool is biodegradable, making alpaca a sustainable fashion choice.
Why buy a baby alpaca sweater?
Baby alpaca is a premium grade of alpaca wool known for its exceptional softness, warmth, and lightness—but it does not come from baby alpacas.
“Baby alpaca” refers to the fineness of the fiber, not the age of the animal. It’s usually shorn from the first shearing of an adult alpaca, when the fiber is at its softest and most delicate. The term is based on micron count, a measure of how fine each strand of fiber is.
Alpaca vs. Cashmere: What’s the Difference?
Both alpaca and cashmere are luxurious natural fibers known for their softness and warmth—but there are some key differences that make alpaca a more sustainable and versatile choice.
🦙 Alpaca Wool
- Origin: Andes Mountains (mainly Peru & Bolivia)
- Softness: Silky and smooth, especially baby alpaca
- Warmth: Warmer than sheep’s wool and often warmer than cashmere
- Durability: Stronger fibers = less pilling, longer-lasting garments
- Hypoallergenic: No lanolin = gentle on sensitive skin
- Sustainability: Low-impact animals, biodegradable fiber, minimal water use
- Cost: Premium quality at a more accessible price point
🐐 Cashmere
- Origin: Cashmere goats (mainly Mongolia, China)
- Softness: Ultra-soft and plush
- Warmth: Very warm, but lighter in insulation than alpaca
- Durability: Prone to pilling and wear over time
- Hypoallergenic: Can cause irritation in some people
- Sustainability: Overgrazing by goats can damage grasslands
- Cost: Often more expensive due to scarcity and demand
Why Choose Alpaca?
Alpaca wool offers a luxurious feel without compromise—it’s soft, warm, long-lasting, and better for the planet. At Yapa, we use 100% pure alpaca wool, sustainably sourced and artisan-crafted, so you can wear your values as beautifully as your style.