Alpacas produce a luxurious, soft fiber that is stronger, warmer, and lighter than wool. It is a specialty fiber, being both rare and extremely fine. Organic, hypo-allergenic, and naturally flame retardant, additional alpaca performance characteristics include: stretch, water repellency, and odor reduction. |
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- Alpacas main end-product is fiber
- In ancient times, alpaca fiber was known as the "Fiber of Gods"
- Soft as cashmere and lighter and warmer than wool
- Hypo-allergenic and contains no lanolin
- Comes in 22 natural colors
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Alpacas produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibers. It is clipped from the animal without causing it injury. Soft as cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool, it comes in more colors than any other fiber producing animal (approximately 22 basic colors with many variations and blends).This cashmere-like fleece, once reserved for Incan royalty, is now enjoyed by spinners and weavers around the world.
Who buys the fiber?
Alpaca fiber is sold several ways. Hand-spinners and fiber artists buy raw fleece. Knitters often purchase alpaca yarn. Fiber Cooperatives Mills collect alpaca fiber and process it on behalf of the producer.
What is an ounce of fiber worth?
This varies. In its raw state, an ounce of alpaca varies from $2.00-$5.00. Each stage of the process (cleaning, carding, spinning, knitting, finishing, etc) adds more valuable to the fiber. As a finished garment, it can sell for $10.00 per oz. Hand knit goods are more desirable and have sold for $1,000.00, in some cases |
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