Alpaca Meadows
Free U. S. Shipping on Orders over $150 •(419) 529-8152 The Alpaca (vicugña pacos) is a domesticated species of South American camelid. The camels that most people are familiar with are the ones with humps. However, there are four other camelids without humps that are indigenous to South America. Llamas and alpacas have been domesticated for thousands of years. The other two varieties, guanacos and vicunas, continue to roam in wild herds today. Alpacas played a central role in Incan culture and were cherished as treasure on the high Andean Plateau and mountains of South America in the countries of Peru, Chile, and Bolivia. Among the people of the Andes, the woven fabric from the fleece of the alpaca was so soft and alluring that it was used as currency. Alpacas are members of the camelid family and were domesticated about 10,000 years ago. The first importation of alpacas into the United States was in 1984. People in many other countries now raise and enjoy them. When full grown, alpacas generally weigh between 100 and 200 pounds and are approximately 36″ tall at the withers. They are cousin to the llama and are about half to one-third their size. They live about 15-20 years. Females reach maturity at about 18 months old and males at 2 1/2 to 3 years old. The gestation period is 11- 12 months. The alpacas are most prized for their amazing fleece. They produce one of the world’s most luxurious and finest natural fibers. The demand for alpaca fiber throughout the world exceeds the current supply, which makes alpaca fiber valued at ten times the price of virgin wool. Annual shearing of one alpaca produces enough fiber for several sweaters. Their fiber is as soft as cashmere and lighter, warmer, and stronger than wool. It comes in approximately 22 basic colors with many variations and blends, which is more colors than any other fiber producing animal. There are those who cannot wear wool, but are quite comfortable in fine alpaca clothing. Garments made from alpaca stay warm even when wet, making them perfect for outdoor activities. Fiber artists seek out the precious Alpaca Yarn,Roving, and Raw Fiber, both Suriand Huacaya, for their projects on a regular basis. Weavers and spinners around the world enjoy this wonderful fiber much like cashmere, once set aside for the Incan royalty alone. It is knit, crocheted, and woven into many durable, silky-soft products. Alpaca Sweaters, Hats, Scarves, Gloves, and Mittens, Socks, Blankets, Teddy Bears and other Alpaca Toys and available for sale. There are two distinct breeds of alpacas, the Huacaya (wah-KI’-ya) and the Suri (“surrey”). The difference between the two is the way their fiber grows. Both fleeces are soft and luxurious. Most people visualize huacayas, when they think of alpacas. Huacayas look more like fluffy teddy bears and are the more common of the two types, accounting for about 90% of all alpacas. Theirfibergrows outward from their body and is crimpy and thick giving them a “cuddly” appearance. The fiber is quite strong, but fluffy and very soft. It looks a lot like Corriedale and Romney sheep wool but without the lanolin. Huacaya fiber takes dyes well. It produces a soft, lofty yarn and can be commercially processed using the woolen or worsted process. Huacaya yarn is ideal for knitting or crocheting. A suri in full fleece is absolutely breathtaking, with its locks blowing in the breeze. Suri fiberbrings a premium price on the world market because of its unique characteristics and its scarcity. Suris are the rarer of the two types of alpacas. The Suri alpaca has unique fiber characteristics that distinguish the Suri from the rest of the camelid family. Unlike the soft fuzzy look of the Huacaya alpaca, the Suri has long, separate, distinctive locks that drape down the sides of these elegant animals. Thefiberof a Suri is either twisted or straight with a cool, slick feel that has little or no crimp. It has a high degree of sheen, and looks much like Angora