A LITTLE ALPACA STORY

2005-10-19T23:00:00.000-07:00

HOME

The writer of these lines (Eberhard Rotmann, founder of AAAALima, 29.07.1915-06.06.2002) is specialized on Alpaca since nearly half a century. He has also been classing and shrinking sheepswool produced in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South America and Europe at the biggest European scouring and combing mill at Bremen-Blumenthal, Germany.

It must be emphasized at the outset that Alpaca is hair, not wool. The Alpaca is the only animal in the world that produces more than 20 natural shades from off white, cream, light fawns and dark fawns over browns to black with brown tips or from white over the whole gamut of greys – including an exquisite reddish grey – till straight black.

The Alpaca fiber, especially the sub species called Suri, has a silky shine and has much more tensile strength than sheepswool or Lama hair. Alpaca has also a much higher specific weight than sheepswool, whereas Lama is light and breaks easier. The “cousins” Alpaca and Lama can procreate 2 types of crossbreds:

Lama father and Alpaca mother will have “Huarizo” babies, whereas the offspring of Alpaca father and Lama mother is called a “Misti”. The latter is less frequent, because the Alpaca males are smaller than the Lama males and normally get chased away by their male Lama competitors.

Alpaca hair can be fine or coarse, generally according to the age of the animal, but altitude and pastures also have an influence. The Alpaca is normally shorn every 2 years. The hair grows about 2 inches yearly. The first clip is called “Baby Alpaca” and commands much higher prices. In general, Alpaca has a snob value. This has its effect on the prices of the raw material and fabrics.

In the rustic handicrafts, Alpaca hair is hand spun just as it comes from the animal. This accounts for the vegetable matter found in many rustic fabrics. The natives will also blend their knitware and weavings with Lama hair and sheepswool, especially white wool. A large amount of fabrics such as sweaters, cardigans, vests, caps, hats, leg warmers, gloves, purses, shawls, overshoulder bags, belts, blankets, ponchos, jackets, tapestries, etc. are made from Alpaca hair and Lama hair and exported to many countries. There is a ban on exporting Vicuña hair or fabrics.

The Vicuña is a wild species of the cameloide family with the finest hair in the world, much finer than the choicest sheepswool. The Vicuñas were near to extinction about 25 years ago but have now multiplied under protectionist laws.

On the world market, Alpaca is just a trickle. The total production does not exceed 2,500 tons per year.

Whatever our friends may decide to trade of our Peruvian fabrics:
We wish you good luck and success!

Alpaca Story

A LITTLE ALPACA STORY