synthetic chemicals to remove the lanolin from
the sheep wool. If the chemicals used to clean
wool are improperly used the residues can result in ground water contamination. The Super
Washing as it’s called is a chemical process that
removes the scales or barbs from the sheep wool
in an acid bath. It is then chemically treated with
a resin or polymer to make it soft again.
Alpaca fiber has a unique hollow core or pockets
of hollowness which has a higher thermal insulation than sheep wool.
Alpaca fiber wicks away moisture better than
sheep wool because the fiber is highly water
resistant.
Alpaca wool is naturally flame resistant meeting the standards of the US Consumer Product
Safety Commission’s rigid testing specifications
as a Class 1 fiber in clothing and furnishings.
Alpaca fiber has higher anti-microbial properties
than sheep wool.
Q. 6. Do our fiber product makers/sellers purchase alpaca yarns directly from the
ranchers or from wholesale distributors?
A. For US grown and made yarn, most likely the
retailer would need to reach out to local ranchers.
The industry is still in its infancy and wholesale
distribution is limited due to the available supply
of fiber. Like most things, the higher the demand
the more available it will become.
Q. 7. What natural colors does alpaca yarn
come in? Is it also available in a wide variety
of dyed colors?
A. Alpaca has been characterized as having 22
natural colors ranging from white, beige, fawn,
brown, black, and all shades in between. Natural
fiber color can make some amazing products.
Dying alpaca fiber can make for some great color
options. I always thought I would need white
fiber to be able to dye the fiber. I recently found
that over dying fawn alpaca fibers makes for
some very nice rich colors.
Q. 8. Can you recommend a good source of
Alpaca fibers have higher tensile strength than
information on alpaca yarns for our yarn shop
wool fibers, therefore the fiber is stronger than
retailers?
wool.
A. Look in your shop’s local area for alpaca
ranchers. You could also touch base with a proQ. 4. What percentage of yarn should a retail cessing mill to see if they have resources for local
yarn shop stock in alpaca yarns?
yarn. US Natural Fibers is another great option
A. A retail shop should consider stocking differfor information. They have tons of experience
ent blends with alpaca fiber. 100% alpaca yarn
in product development including Altera Alpaca
has its place, and I have found that blends with
socks, the Crazy Goat socks, and soon will be
other natural fibers make for great yarn. As most offering Rare Earth yarns. They are a complete
of us agree, the right yarn depends on the exnatural fiber resource.
pected end product.
Q. 5. Is there ever any availability issue for
alpaca yarn?
A. Yes, for US grown and processed yarn. The
alpaca industry is still in its infancy here in the
US. In recent years, there are more and more
small cottage processing mills dedicated to natural fibers that will not process sheep wool due to
the lanolin. There are some good quality yarns
coming from ranchers like myself around the
country. I encourage all retail shops to seek out
your local alpaca ranch and work on getting local
alpaca products in your shop.
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