Over the last few years, alpaca wool has become very popular and very demanded on the fashion scene. It is not a new entry on the market, but somehow, in the past, it has been pretty unknown to the fashion scene. Today, the high demand comes from the luxury the wool carries, making it very expensive and demanding. For instance, have you ever wrapped with an alpaca throw blanket?
Many people confuse the alpacas with Llamas. However, they are two different types of animals, and their wool, for that matter is quite different. The alpaca wool comes from the alpaca animals. Native to the region of Peru, the alpacas are cute animals that produce one of the best wool there is on the market.
The llamas, on the other hand, are bred to be pack animals to help haul things. Alpaca wool comes in different levels of fineness. It has various grades, and with that, provides a different softness and feeling on the skin. The market today offers an abundance of alpaca wool products. The two names that make the wool stand out are the baby alpaca wool and the premium alpaca wool.
The properties of the alpaca wool are pretty amazing. The fiber insulates the body from the cold and from the hot too. This property is what makes this type of fiber extraordinary and unique. Additionally, the sweat and the moisture can be absorbed by the fiber and dispelled through to the hollow fibers.
Many wonder whether there is a difference in the type of wool or these are just two different names of the same wool. Here, we will break down everything you need to know about baby alpaca wool and premium alpaca wool.
Baby alpaca wool does not come from baby alpacas. This is a popular misconception. The baby alpaca wool is a term that refers to the place from where the alpaca wool comes and not to the age of the alpaca.
So, with that being said, the baby alpaca wool can come from alpacas of any age. What makes the baby alpaca wool different from the other alpaca wool types is the diameter of the fiber. The baby alpaca wool has fiber with a diameter of 19-20 microns. These measurements make the wool expensive but not as expensive as the premium alpaca wool.
It is sheared from the neck and the chest area of the alpaca. It can also be found on the back. This wool is referred to as a “blanket”. These are the places where the alpaca wool is the softest and finest, and that is why it carries the name baby alpaca wool. The diameter of the fiber at these places is lower than the other. Also, the overall friction on the back is minimal.
You can also read: Benefits of alpaca wool: What makes baby alpaca wool clothing & blankets stand out?
The premium alpaca wool is also known under the name royal alpaca wool. Again, like the baby alpaca, the difference in the wool here comes from the thickness of the fiber. The diameter of the fibers from the royal alpaca wool is 18 microns or less, which puts it in a higher category compared to the baby alpaca wool.
It is a super fine and soft type of wool. This type of wool is connected to the back of the alpaca and is the least common of all the wool types. All of these properties make it very expensive and demanding on the market.
The thickness of the fiber is what makes the main difference between both types of alpaca wool. With a special nod to the qualities of this natural fiver, Silkeborg Uldspinderi offers an abundance of products that come from the best alpaca wool.
The baby alpaca throws are soft and warm and make a great fashion accessory. For a touch of sophistication to your home, be sure to add some cute baby alpaca cushions that will bring a fabulous warmth and ambiance to your furniture and living space.
In Silkeborg Uldspinderi we are here to help you. You will have at your disposal many high-quality products. If you want to buy any alpaca scarves, shawls, cushions, or throws, please don’t hesitate to contact us through our contact page.
