Fiber Store

Our online Fiber Store is currrently under construction, but in the mean time please read up on the various types and uses of Alpaca fiber.

Alpacas have a wide range of 22 natural colors including white, black, grey, and various shades of fawn and brown. In Peru, white is the most popular color because it can be dyed. However, the clothing industry may be moving away from using dyes. The colors of alpaca fiber provide a natural alternative to dyed fibers. The fiber industry may show a preference for one color over another. Thus, the alpacas of the most sought after colors will command the highest prices. This will vary from year to year, following trends in the fashion industry.

Alpaca fiber is extremely soft, lustrous, fine and durable. Alpaca fiber is actually a tubular hair with a hollow core making it somewhat different from sheep’s wool.

Alpaca fiber is considered to be three times stronger than sheep’s wool.

Alpaca fiber has a high thermal capacity due to microscopic air pockets.

Alpacas don’t produce lanolin. Therefore, their fiber doesn’t have to be processed before it’s spun.

Because of the unique manner in which the scales of alpaca fiber lie down against the shaft of each hair follicle, alpaca fiber is considered to be hypoallergenic.

Alpacas should be shorn annually. Generally, they will produce five to ten pounds of fleece annually.

In the world fiber market, alpaca fleece is considered to be a luxury fiber, second to none with respect to luster and softness.

The world market for alpaca fleece consists of the South American countries (Peru in particular) exporting large volumes to Germany and Italy where it’s used in the high fashion industry. Consumer demand for alpaca garments is expected to remain strong due to a preference for high quality natural fibers.

For American producers the primary market for alpaca fleece is spinners, weavers and knitters who produce woven or knitted products. The key factor contributing to the demand from these cottage industry users is the high quality nature of the fiber.