About Alpacas

What is Alpaca? It is the cutest member of the camel family, originally from the Andes of Perú , Bolivia, and Chile.

The alpaca was considered a sacred animal at the time of the Incan Empire. Because its silkiness and fine texture, during the reign of the Incan empire, alpaca fiber was reserved for the use of the Incan royalty.

For centuries the pre-Inca and Inca civilizations in the highlands of the Peruvian Andes have been distinguished by their colorful and sophisticated textiles.

The art of knitting and weaving was an integral part of the Incan culture. Religious

beliefs, feelings, desires and traditions, all were expressed in the textile work of the Andean people. Textile art was taught and perfected from one generation to another and became the precious link of communication through many generations.

Today alpaca fiber is internationally known as one of the finest wools in the world after that of the Vicuña. Alpaca wool is light-weight yet provides much more warmth than sheep's wool.

It has a hollow core, which acts as a great insulator in cold, outdoor temperatures. It is soft to the touch and it "breathes" allowing moisture to be vented from the skin. At the same time, it repels water and dirt and is very resistant to aging. That's why alpaca garments last for many decades without fading or losing color. In fact, alpaca garments become softer as they age.

Care of your alpaca garment: Since they are very similar to human hair, treat it the same way you treat your hair. Simply wash with shampoo and rinse with hair conditioner. Remove all the water by pressing then lay flat to dry. Do not put your alpaca garments in the washing machine. Dry cleaning is also an option.