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The alpaca is a domesticated member of the camelid family – the others being llamas, guanacos, vicunas and of course the camel. Alpacas are native to South America – from the high altitudes of the Andes of Chile, Peru & Bolivia – where they have been kept for their fleece for thousands of years.

Alpacas are often called "Gold of the Andes". The reason is their extraordinary fibre, which features incredible fineness, warmth, lightweight, softness, and durability. Alpacas produce a luxury fibre that is internationally recognized today as one of the finest fibres in the world.

Alpaca fibre offers the largest range of natural colors in the world, which vary from black to white, and extend through an ample range of grays and browns. Also, the Alpaca fibre possesses an excellent dyeing affinity and can be nicely dyed in an incredible variety of colors without loosing its extraordinary lustre. Alpaca fibre is in high demand by the fashion industry around the world.

Why is the Alpaca Fibre unique?

Alpaca is incredibly soft and possesses extraordinary shine and texture.  Alpaca's thermal properties make its fibre amazingly warm. Alpaca fibre contains microscopic air pockets, which provide excellent insulation. Alpaca is so breathable and comfortable that it does not cause an itching sensation like many other types of wool. Alpaca bears minimal lanoline, making it nearly hypoallergenic. Alpaca is the only animal species worldwide whose hair naturally displays a wide array of colors (up to 22), going from black to white, through different shades of brown and grey.

Alpaca possesses great flexibility and resistance to traction, it maintains its appearance over time, and alpaca is lighter in weight than any other wool. Its great fineness (measured by a low micron count) contributes to its luxuriously silky feel. The Alpaca fineness varies between less than 19 microns (Royal Alpaca), 22.5 microns (Baby Alpaca), 25.5 microns (Super Fine Alpaca), 26 microns (Suri Alpaca) and 32 microns (Coarse Alpaca).

The names of these qualities do not necessarily reflect the age of the animals or their appearance. The appellation "Baby", for example, is applied to products (such as sweaters, tops and yarns) where the average fibre diameter is 22.5 microns. The fibre used to obtain this quality does not necessarily come from baby animals; it could easily come from an adult animal with a very fine coat. Each quality is employed to create different products such as cloth, scarves, sweaters, blankets, carpets and so on. The alpaca may also be blended with other fibres, generally of natural origin.

                      

History of Alpacas

Alpaca is a type of camelid animal that has lived in the Andean region of South America for more than 10,000 years. About 3.5 million alpacas inhabit the Andean highlands, most of which can be found in Peru. The most important breeding area for alpacas is located in the south of Peru between 12,500 and 15,700 ft above sea level.

Andean civilizations domesticated Alpacas through a long process that began around 5000 B.C. They developed well-organized systems to breed Alpacas and achieved a sophisticated level of weaving craftsmanship. The Incas treasured Alpacas using its fibre to dress the royalty. Today museums around the world display Alpaca textiles manufactured by ancient Peruvian civilizations. 

Alpacas are now being bred in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the US and the UK, among many other places. There are currently about 14,000 alpacas in Canada. As the alpaca is still quite rare in Canada, coupled with their slow breeding rate, this makes them quite a valuable animal.

Want to Know More?

To learn more about alpacas in Canada and to find more links to alpaca organizations please click here or below.

Alpaca Canada

Alpaca Ontario

Canadian Llama & Alpaca Association

MAGPIE HILL Alpacas
1-613-489-3338 ~ magpiehill@sympatico.ca ~ North Gower (Ottawa), Ontario, Canada