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How much Does Alpaca Wool Cost
To stay warm in winter, there’s nothing better than a soft and comfortable garment that can keep you warm when needed. Alpaca wool is one of the warmest and most exquisite fabrics you can wear in winter.
There are many amazing natural fibers in the world, but none like alpaca fiber. This fiber stands out for its ability to retain heat while remaining soft to the touch and light to wear, suitable for creating particularly comfortable and exquisite garments. Its intrinsic characteristics have made the cost of alpaca wool higher than regular wool, a price that alpaca wool and garments made from this fiber more than repay in beauty, durability, and functionality.
Let’s look at the main properties of alpaca wool and the price of alpaca wool fiber per kg currently on the market.
What is Alpaca Wool?
Alpaca wool is a completely natural fiber from the fleece of the alpaca, an animal very similar to the more popular llama but smaller than its camelid counterpart.
There are two different types of alpaca: the suri type and the huacaya, each producing a different type of yarn. The colors of alpaca wool are available in 22 natural shades.
The main characteristic of alpaca wool is its natural softness. Additionally, thanks to the presence of air pockets in the fiber, alpaca wool is particularly warm and durable, able to retain more heat than regular wool.
Alpaca wool is considered a luxurious fiber for its soft and durable nature, beauty, and practicality. These are the main reasons why the price of alpaca wool is often higher than other fibers.
The History of Alpaca Wool and its Price
Another factor that contributes to the preciousness of alpaca wool, and thus its cost, lies in its legendary history and origin.
Alpaca wool originates from the ancient tribes of the Andean highlands in Bolivia and Peru, where the vicuna, the ancestor of the alpaca, was domesticated. This type of selective breeding led to the development and survival of the Inca tribe itself, as the animals were raised for coat production and also for meat. Within the tribe, it was the nobility who benefited from the garments made with alpaca wool.
Unfortunately, some alpacas became extinct during the period of the Spanish conquerors until the English, in the 1800s, discovered this precious fiber and revived it. Today, alpacas are raised worldwide, including in the United States and Australia, although Peruvian-origin fiber is the most popular.
However, the alpaca fiber cannot be considered common: the origin and processing of this wool are very particular and must follow certain specific traditional rules to preserve the species and ensure that the naturally shy animal experiences as little stress as possible. Alpacas, which survive thanks to their fleece in extreme climates, are sheared in spring and only once a year. This particular attention and origin, as well as rarity, imply that the price of alpaca wool is higher than traditional wools.
How much Does Alpaca Wool Cost?
The cost of alpaca wool is around 180 euros per kg, but it can vary depending on market fluctuations. The processing of alpaca wool is often done by hand and with traditional methods. This way, the exquisite characteristics of the wool are preserved.
The price of alpaca wool is due to several properties.
- – it is durable, known as the most resistant natural fiber in the world;
- – it is resilient, garments made of alpaca wool do not lose their luster, strength, or shape, especially if well cared for;
- – it is elastic, and maintains its shape even after years of use;
- – it is fire-resistant;
- – it is hypoallergenic, suitable for those with allergies to lanolin, which is present in alpaca fiber in a minimal amount that is often washed away during processing;
- – it is lightweight because it is a hollow fiber;
- – it is odor-resistant, so it does not require frequent washing;
- – it is soft and does not itch the skin.
The cost of alpaca wool therefore depends on various market and environmental factors, demand, and the rarity of this yarn, which is also used in many other ways. It should be noted that alpaca wool is considered exquisite worldwide, and a good skein of alpaca wool can cost around 4 or 5 euros, depending on the percentage of alpaca fiber it contains. It is often found mixed with sheep’s wool and not pure, where it performs best.
But how much Does Alpaca Wool Cost in a Handcrafted Garment?
If you’re asking this question, consider that in a respectable garment, the percentage of Alpaca wool is high: it is usually 75%, while about 25% is virgin wool.
I recommend checking out these garments, which are a showcase of Alpaca wool:
