Yarn Soft
Knitting With Alpaca
Alpaca
Hailing from South America, the alpaca belongs to the camelid family that also includes camels, llamas, guanacos and vicunas. They are a docile breed whose fleece spins into luxurious yarns. More than three quarters of the world’s alpaca population resides in Peru.1 In centuries past, the alpaca was an incredibly valuable animal, even more so than precious gems! Clothing created with alpaca was restricted for use by royalty. The alpaca has been domesticated and is treated as one of Peru’s national treasures. England has the double decker bus, the U.S. has Mt. Rushmore, and Peru has their alpacas. What a diverse definition of treasure!
Alpaca fleece is a “protein fiber”. This doesn’t mean knitting with it will make you stronger, it merely indicates that the fiber comes from an animal- namely, the alpaca. Alpaca fiber is strong, warm, and comfortable. Each fiber is hollow which makes it incredibly lightweight. Even the most delicate alpaca garments are warm for this reason. Perhaps alpaca’s greatest feature is that it can be worn next to the skin comfortably. The explanation for this is the behavior of the scales on the exterior of the fiber itself. They all lie flat in the same direction, making for a smooth surface. Less expensive than cashmere and with the strength of mohair, alpaca is highly desirable and functional. As with most natural fibers, alpaca needs to be handled with care when it comes to water exposure. Be sure to read and heed the washing instructions on your yarn or sweater.
While there are 2 breeds of alpaca, Huacaya and Suri, the former makes up a whopping 95% of the population.2 Differences between the two are numerous and as you may have guessed from the percentages, the Suri is harder to come by. Suri qualities include fleece that grows downward like human hair in wavy or curly locks with a silky texture. Huacaya fleece is coarser and grows straight outwards, at a right angle to the skin of the alpaca.
When alpaca fiber is processed, it is evaluated and sorted into one of several categories based on its micron count (in layman’s terms: the softness quotient). Micron count is a technical measurement determined by studying a sample of alpaca fleece and calculating the average diameter of the shaft of each fiber. Baby alpaca might have a micron count in the high teens whereas superfine alpaca would fall in the mid-twenties. The lower the number, the finer the fiber. *Please note that baby alpaca is a classification group, meaning it doesn’t always come from young alpacas. It merely refers to any fibers from an alpaca’s fleece that fall within said micron count. While fibers become coarser as an alpaca ages, it is possible for older alpacas to continue to produce fibers that fall in the baby alpaca micron count range.
If all of this jargon confuses you, then you might relate better to the methods used by Peruvian women who hand sort all of the fibers and determine their classification based on how they actually feel.3 The finest and softest feeling fibers are tagged as baby alpaca, and so on for fine and superfine yarns. Fiber from various parts of the animal can have different feels.
SMOOTH OPERATOR
Knitted garments made of alpaca have some interesting properties. You should know that Alpaca Yarn is pretty stubborn when it comes to elasticity. It’s not that it won’t give, it actually has a tendency to be too generous. If you knit dense stitches and patterns or hang heavy embellishments on it, it will become distorted with no hopes of regaining its youthful figure. This is due to the aforementioned smoothness of the fibers. Since the scales lie flat in the same direction, the plies or strands of an alpaca yarn slide past each other instead of clinging and gravity can take its toll on the fabric. Gravity, as we know, can sometimes cause an undesirable elongating effect. So make those 100% alpaca projects light and airy, or use a blend for greater resilience and elasticity.
Speaking of which, all blends happen for a reason. There are ways to make alpaca yarn work for every project and that is by blending it with complimentary fibers. Blended yarns are not created arbitrarily. Wool, for instance, is a highly crimped fiber and therefore offers some elasticity. Since alpaca fibers contain only shallow waves, mixing in some wool makes an otherwise unyielding yarn a little more forgiving. Suri Dream is a hand knitting yarn innovation exclusive to Knit Picks. Imagine wearing a mohair sweater that wasn’t scratchy. Having trouble? By combining the super soft feel of Suri alpaca with a touch of wool and winding it around a strong nylon core, we have created an elegant alternative to mohair that causes zero discomfort. Sounds like a real dream to me!
Sources:
1“A Shaggy Business” The Economist. Vol. 377, Issue 8455, p. 38. 12/3/2005.
2Quiggle, Charlotte. “Alpaca: An Ancient Luxury” Interweave Knits. Fall 2000.
3Lavan, Cindy. “Evaluating Alpaca Fleece” AlpacaNation – Alpaca Industry’s Central Marketplace. June 2002. http://www.alpacanation.com/articles/AlpacaFuture_Oct02.asp
About the Author
Kelley and Bob Petkun started Knit Picks in 2002 to provide other knitters with affordable, luxury knitting supplies. Kelley is the host of a weekly podcast about knitting available at www.KnitPicks.com.
http://www.KnitPicks.com
How to: Knitting Soft Flex Wire on a Spool
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SIRDAR LILAC Luxury soft Cotton DK yarn x 2 balls $5.48 |
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2 Skeins Natural Bamboo Cotton Yarn Yellow (Super Soft) $0.99 |
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2 Skeins (Super Soft) Natural Bamboo Cotton Yarn Blue $0.99 |
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Lot of 12 Skeins Red Heart Soft Baby Kitten Print Yarn $19.99 |
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Lot of 12 Skeins Red Heart Gem Kiss Soft Nylon Yarn- $9.99 |
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80% Mohair/ 20% wool ITALIAN YARN beautifully soft/ NEW $19.99 |
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Lot of 12 Sk. Red Heart Acrylic Soft Baby Laddie Yarn $19.99 |
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Lot of 12 Skeins Red Heart Soft Baby Banana Yarn – NEW $19.99 |
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2 Sk Super Soft Natrual Bamboo Cotton Yarn Dark Purple $0.99 |
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1400y500g soft cashmere wool Yarn Knitting #622 black $19.99 |
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2 Sk(Super Soft) Natural Bamboo Cotton Yarn Light Green $0.99 |
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2 Sk(Super Soft) Natural Bamboo Cotton Yarn Orange Red $0.99 |
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100g 280y Soft cashmere wool Yarn Knitting #2908 breen $0.99 |
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LACE soft pure 100% cashmere Yarn Knitting gray 060 $7.99 |
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2 Sk (Super Soft) Natural Bamboo Cotton Yarn Off White $0.99 |
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1400y500g Soft cashmere wool Yarn Knitting #2908 breen $19.99 |
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2 Skeins Super Soft Bamboo Cotton Yarn Yellow Cyan Pink $0.01 |
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2 Skeins (Super Soft) Natural Bamboo Cotton Yarn Green $0.99 |
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280y100g Soft Cashmere wool Yarn Knitting orange #210 $0.99 |
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2 Sk Natural Super Soft Bamboo Cotton Yarn Light Pink $0.99 |
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1400y500g Soft cashmere wool Yarn Knitting wine 2904 $19.99 |
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2 Skeins Natural Super Soft Bamboo Cotton Yarn Black $0.99 |
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2 Skeins Natural Bamboo Cotton Yarn Pink (Super Soft) $0.99 |
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10 PINK BLUE BOLLICINE BABY FOLIE soft knitting yarn $49.00 |
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10 PINK BLUE BOLLICINE BABY FOLIE soft knitting yarn $49.00 |
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10 BLUE BOLLICINE BABY FOLIE soft chunky knitting yarn $49.00 |
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Ice baby soft yarn lt. green/twisted 65 meters $2.25 |
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10 PINK BOLLICINE BABY FOLIE soft chunky knitting yarn $49.00 |
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LOT 2 BERNAT SOFT BOUCLE ACRYLIC YARN- MEDIUM ROSE $1.99 |
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LOT 4 BERNAT SOFT BOUCLE ACRYLIC YARN-BLUE & BLUE PRINT $3.99 |
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LOT 3 BERNAT SOFT BOUCLE ACRYLIC YARN- BABY PINK $2.99 |
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2 Skeins Natural Super Soft Bamboo Cotton Yarn Coffee $0.99 |
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10 GOLD KATIA DANUBIO soft wool blend knitting yarn #23 $19.99 |
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2 Sk Natural Bamboo Cotton Yarn Rose Red (Super Soft) $0.99 |
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Super Saver Mill Grade250 Yarn SOFT WHITE 4 Ply Acrylic $2.99 |
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10 SOFT RUST GEDIFRA EASY chunky knitting yarn #1017 $32.99 |
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100g Soft Cashmere wool Yarn Knitting henna 2909 $0.99 |
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Super Saver Mill Grade 250 Yarn SOFT NAVY 1 Pound 4 Ply $2.99 |
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ONline Linie 18 Bellini ribbon yarn w.FLAGS soft 1skein $3.99 |
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ONline Linie 18 Bellini ribbon yarn w.FLAGS soft 1skein $3.99 |
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ONline Linie 18 Bellini ribbon yarn w.FLAGS soft 1skein $3.99 |
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10 SOFT BLUE KATIA COCKTAIL wool knitting yarn #8 $19.99 |
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10 DARK GREY KATIA BALTICA soft plush chunky yarn #11 $19.99 |
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10 ORANGE KATIA BALTICA soft plush chunky knitting yarn $19.99 |
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10 GREY KATIA BALTICA soft plush chunky yarn #23 $19.99 |
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10 WHITE KATIA BALTICA soft plush chunky knitting yarn $19.99 |
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10 CORAL KATIA BALTICA soft plush chunky knitting yarn $19.99 |
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10 BLUE KATIA BALTICA soft plush chunky knitting yarn $19.99 |
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2 Sk Natural Super Soft Bamboo Cotton Yarn Light Cyan $0.99 |
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5 GREY IVORY CASCADE FLURRY soft knitting yarn #423 $9.99 |
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Cotton Rich Super Soft 400 Thread Count Sheets $32.29 Rich and luxurious, yet easily cared for, these super soft sheets feature a 400 thread count. Available in a number of color options, these gorgeous sheets are sure to fit any decor. |
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Sherborne Blue Rug (6′6 x 9′4) $175.09 The Sherborne rug is machine-woven with stain-resistant polypropylene yarns that ensures durability and a soft touch. This area rug features soft muted colors for an Old World look. This area rug comes with colors sea foam green, beige and chocolate. |
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Aspirations Beige Rug (6′6 x 9′4) $177.64 The Aspirations rug is machine-woven with stain-resistant polypropylene yarns that ensures durability and a soft touch. This area rug features soft muted colors for an Old World look. This area rug comes with colors beige and sea foam green. |
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Sherborne Blue Rug (5′2 x 7′9) $110.49 The Sherborne rug is machine-woven with stain-resistant polypropylene yarns that ensures durability and a soft touch. This area rug features soft muted colors for an Old World look. This area rug comes with colors sea foam green, beige and chocolate. |
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Kingston Multi-color Floral Rug (6′6 x 9′4) $177.64 The Kingston rug is machine-woven with polypropylene yarns that ensure durability and a soft touch. This area rug features soft muted colors for an Old World look. This area rug comes with colors green, chocolate, beige, sand and sea foam. |
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Aspirations Beige Rug (5′2 x 7′9) $110.49 The Aspirations rug is machine-woven with stain-resistant polypropylene yarns that ensures durability and a soft touch. This area rug features soft muted colors for an Old World look. This area rug comes with colors beige and sea foam green. |
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Hand-tufted Metro Circles Grey Wool Rug (8′ x 10′) $292.39 This floor rug features 100-percent blended wool. Custom-dyed yarns that are hand-tufted and hand-carved make this rug a piece of art on the floor. The Metro Circles rug features shades of grey, light grey, soft orange, and soft red. |
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Pendragon Brown Rug (5′2 x 7′9) $110.49 The Pendragon rug is machine-woven with stain-resistant polypropylene yarns that ensures durability and a soft touch. This area rug features soft muted colors for an Old World look. This area rug comes with colors beige, sand and green. |
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Bakhtiari Panel Multicolor Rug (6′6 x 9′4) $175.09 The Bakhtiari rug is machine-woven with polypropylene yarns that ensure durability and a soft touch. This area rug features soft muted colors for an Old World look. This area rug has colors green, chocolate, red, beige, sea foam green and brown. |
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Kingston Multi Floral Rug (5′2 x 7′9) $110.49 The Kingston rug is machine-woven with polypropylene yarns that ensure durability and a soft touch. This area rug features soft muted colors for an Old World look. This area rug comes with colors green, chocolate, beige, sand and sea foam green. |
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Lion Brand Aurora Amazing Yarn $4.99 Self-striping color adds a unique touch to this Lion Brand yarnSoft, lightweight and warm, this yarn is perfect for accessories and garmentsThis skein of yarn contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams), or 147 yards (135 meters) |
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Lion Brand Arcadia Amazing Yarn $5.59 Self-striping color adds a unique touch to this Lion Brand yarnSoft, lightweight and warm, this yarn is perfect for accessories and garmentsThis skein of yarn contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams), or 147 yards (135 meters) |
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Lion Brand ‘Fishermen’s’ 8-ounce Natural Virgin Wool Yarn $7.79 Fishermen’s Choice wool yarn is created by Lion BrandThis authentic 100-percent pure virgin wool with natural lanolin oil is soft and warmThis skein of yarn contains 8 ounces (277 grams), or 465 yards (425 meters) |
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Lion Brand Cypress Organic Cotton Yarn $6.09 Lion Brand organic cotton yarn is of pesticides, herbicides and other chemicalsThis soft, versatile yarn is perfect for almost any projectThis skein of yarn contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams), or 82 yards (75 meters) |
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Sock-Ease Wool Blend Cotton Candy Yarn $8.12 Create soft, beautiful socks, scarves and other accessories with Lion Brand Sock-Ease yarnWool blend yarn skein boasts high qualityTraditional fingering-weight sock yarn is designed to produce flowing color patterns in a sophisticated palette |
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Lion Brand Pistachio Nature’s Choice Yarn $5.49 Nature’s Choice organic cotton yarn is created by Lion BrandThis soft, versatile yarn is ideal for everything from baby blankets to fashion itemsThis skein of yarn contains 3 ounces (85 grams), or 103 yards (94 meters) |
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Lion Brand Vanilla Organic Cotton Yarn $4.79 Lion Brand organic cotton yarn is of pesticides, herbicides and other chemicalsThis soft, versatile yarn is perfect for almost any projectThis skein of yarn contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams), or 82 yards (75 meters) |
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Lion Brand ‘Amazing’ Rainforest Yarn $5.39 Amazing yarn is perfect for accessories and garments with its soft and lightweight warmthLion Brand yarn from has unique self-striping color-waysThis yarn skein is 1.75 ounces/50 grams (147 yards/135 meters) |
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Lion Brand Bark Organic Cotton Yarn $5.19 Lion Brand organic cotton yarn is of pesticides, herbicides and other chemicalsThis soft, versatile yarn is perfect for almost any projectThis skein of yarn contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams), or 82 yards (75 meters) |
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Lion Brand Wildflowers Amazing Yarn $5.79 Self-striping color adds a unique touch to this Lion Brand yarnSoft, lightweight and warm, this yarn is perfect for accessories and garmentsThis skein of yarn contains 1.75 ounces (50 grams), or 147 yards (135 meters) |
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This entry was posted on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 8:59 am and is filed under Crafting. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
